Champagne visits DAY 1

Van 2008 12 06 Champagne WE

An intensive daytrip in the 'Valée de la Marne' and the 'Montagne de Reims', with some interesting Champagne visits...
Mostly you will find 'Brut tradition' Champagnes with 1/3 Chardonnay, 1/3 Pinot Noir and 1/3 Pinot Meunier.
Often also a 'better (more expensive) cuvée' with 50% Chardonnay and 50% Pinot Noir.
Most champagnehouses will also offer a Blanc de blancs (100% Chardonnay) ... although this type is more typical for the 'Côte des blancs' area south of Epernay (with permier and Grand Cru classification)
You will also find some 'blanc the noir' (100% pinot) Champagnes especially in the 'montagne de Reims' region (South-East of Reims)... and also some 'specials' like: Pink Champagne ('Rose') .. which can be 'de saignée'(=red color comes -like red wine- from the skin of pinot grapes at the start of the Champagne process) or (more common in this region) 'd'assemblage' (=by adding red wine at the end of the champagne process)
Finaly you can also find the millésime (with juice from one specific year) and 'prestige' champagnes (most expensive) which have often a combination of grapes from specific parcels ... oak aging...etc..
These champagnes are often closer to a heavy wine than to a light aperitif-Champagne...