Dine at Restaurant Dine at Restaurant Calsis next to Pressoria is a must. Big windows overlook hilly vineyards, and it’s always packed with locals enjoying the excellent 3 or 6 course menus, with of course Champagne. Stay at help with setting up tours, meetings and transport in very posh cars! Very few of the big Champagne houses grow all their own grapes; some grow none. They mainly depend on the 16,000 individual growers in the region. Of the growers, just 4,700 actually produce Champagne and two of the best are Champagne Lallemont-Massonnot in Coulommes-la-Montagne and Champagne Delavenne in the aptly named village of Bouzy. At Champagne Lallemont-Massonnot, you can take a superb tour that takes you from the vineyard to the pressing room, past the tanks and into the bottling room. It’s a backstage tour and tells the human story of Champagne production. Plus, you’ll taste some of the finest Champagne ever made, created by 5th generation Champagne makers Xavier and Marie Lallement. Pressoria – bubbles follow your hands on the wall Calsis Domaine du Chateau in Chigny-les-Roses near Pressoria. This is no ordinary hotel, it’s a little piece of Paradise, elegant, luxurious and exquisite. The little chateau is so discreetly marked you may miss the sign as I did, but everyone in the village knows it. I arrived under a star-filled sky and the big wood fire was crackling in the cosy salon. There are four rooms and each of them is very different. One is a suite really with a library/sitting room that reminded me of the film “My Fair Lady” and has its own wood fire. My room had a huge terrace overlooking the vineyards and a bathroom with a spiral staircase that wouldn’t look out of place in a Harry Potter scene. There’s also a treehouse you can stay in, plus a pool and spa area. Whatever you do, don’t miss the chance to experience chef Damien Litaudon’s exquisite dishes. Seriously, seriously special, Michelin level without the theatrics, innovative, impeccable and very, very delicious. Every course is paired with one of the Domaine’s own superb Palmer & Co. champagnes. One of the best meals I’ve ever had. Jean-Christophe Delavenne of Champagne Delavenne learned about making Champagne from his grandfather and father, and he is passionate about respecting the land, organic and natural production. Just one sip of one of the outstanding Champagne he makes will tell you all you need to know – astonishingly good, it tastes like heaven. Marie and Xavier Lallemont Domaine du Chateau, appetisers Montagne de Rheims Champagne country © Deposit photos 86072708 34 | The Good Life France The Good Life France | 35
