Where the region overlaps spirits: distilleries and tasting bars in Champagne.
A guide to distilleries in Champagne.
Founded in Ay in 1911, Goyard is the reference distiller of Champagne spirits, supplying many houses with their marc, fine and ratafia, sold from its boutique.
Tasting: Boutique tastings of ratafia, marc and fine; full distillery visits arranged for groups, institutions and schools by appointment
Created in 1997 inside the Montagne de Reims Regional Natural Park forest, Guillon distils a malt-based Esprit du Malt and single malt whiskies.
Tasting: Museum visit, distillery tour and professional tasting from around EUR 5 per person; booking advised
A family distillery in the Marne Valley founded by the Ammeux brothers on the former convent of Queen Blanche of Castille. Single malt whisky is made from barley.
Tasting: Guided visits of the still and ageing cellar with a tasting of whisky, gin, ratafia and fine, by reservation
A craft gin distillery behind Reims Cathedral, distilling a ten-spice London-style gin in an Art Deco setting with a cathedral-view terrace.
Tasting: Gin-creation workshop with tasting; visitors leave with their own custom bottle
Peak wine-travel season in Champagne is spring through autumn, with harvest the standout window.
classified-growth and grand-cru estates require booking days to weeks ahead; smaller family domaines often take walk-ins midweek.
most estates open 10:00 to 17:00 by appointment, often closed Sunday and Monday.
tipping is not expected at tastings; buying a bottle from the cellar door is the customary thank-you.
Ask the next local you meet what they would order. Champagne rewards trust.