Prestige Reims maison founded in 1843, owned by LVMH, built on a multi-vintage reserve blend across all three main grapes for its Grande Cuvee.
Tasting: By appointment only through the Krug hospitality programme; the family house is not open to the general public.
Signature wines: krug-grande-cuvee, krug-clos-du-mesnil
Tip: Each Grande Cuvee release carries an ID code linking it to its blend and disgorgement.
Family-owned Reims maison founded 1776, famous for the Cristal prestige cuvee created for Tsar Alexander II and for its estate-owned, partly biodynamic vineyards.
Tasting: Visits by appointment; the family house focuses on private and trade hospitality.
Signature wines: cristal, roederer-collection
Tip: Cristal is made only from estate vineyards, much of them farmed biodynamically.
Reims house founded 1772 and owned by LVMH, shaped by Madame Clicquot, who pioneered the riddling table; known for its Yellow Label brut.
Tasting: Guided cellar tours and tastings; booking required, with a Clicquot Cafe on site.
Signature wines: veuve-clicquot-yellow-label, veuve-clicquot-la-grande-dame
Tip: Madame Clicquot is credited with inventing the riddling rack and the first known vintage rose.
Reims house tracing to 1734 and re-acquired by the Taittinger family in 2006, Chardonnay-led with deep Gallo-Roman chalk cellars beneath the Saint-Nicaise hill.
Tasting: Guided tours of the Gallo-Roman chalk crayeres at Saint-Nicaise; booking recommended in season.
Signature wines: taittinger-comtes-de-champagne, taittinger-brut-reserve
Tip: Its cellars occupy former Gallo-Roman chalk pits and the crypt of a 13th-century abbey.
The oldest established Champagne house, founded 1729 in Reims and owned by LVMH, Chardonnay-focused and famous for its deep UNESCO-listed chalk crayeres.
Tasting: Tours of the UNESCO-listed chalk crayeres, tastings and garden visits at the redesigned 4 rue des Crayeres site.
Signature wines: dom-ruinart-blanc-de-blancs, ruinart-blanc-de-blancs
Tip: Its crayeres descend about 40 metres into Gallo-Roman chalk and are a UNESCO World Heritage feature.
Reims house founded 1851 by Charles-Camille Heidsieck and owned by EPI, prized for a large reserve-wine component and rich, mature Brut Reserve.
Tasting: The house is not generally open to the public for visits.
Signature wines: charles-heidsieck-brut-reserve, charles-heidsieck-blanc-des-millenaires
Tip: Founder Charles-Camille earned the nickname Champagne Charlie selling in 19th-century America.
Reims house founded 1785 and owned by EPI, Pinot-led with a crisp, fruit-forward brut and the rare prestige cuvee Rare.
Tasting: Cellar visits and tastings; book in advance.
Signature wines: piper-heidsieck-cuvee-brut, piper-heidsieck-rare
Tip: Marilyn Monroe famously name-checked the brand; the prestige cuvee Rare is now its own label.
Family Reims house founded 1808 by Apolline Henriot, Chardonnay-leaning with a fresh, refined style and the prestige Cuve des Enchanteleurs.
Tasting: Visits by appointment in Reims; book ahead in high season.
Signature wines: henriot-brut-souverain, henriot-blanc-de-blancs
Tip: The house has a strong Cote des Blancs sourcing, giving its blends a Chardonnay backbone.
Reims house founded 1760 and part of Lanson-BCC, known for a fresh, malolactic-free style and the walled Clos Lanson vineyard in the city.
Tasting: Year-round guided tours of the Clos Lanson, winery and cellars; reservations required.
Signature wines: lanson-le-black-creation, lanson-clos-lanson
Tip: Lanson traditionally blocks malolactic fermentation, keeping its wines crisp and ageworthy.
Reims house founded 1827 and owned by Pernod Ricard, Pinot-led with the red-sash Cordon Rouge brut and around 25 km of city cellars.
Tasting: Cellar tours and tastings daily; book in advance, cellars span around 25 km.
Signature wines: mumm-cordon-rouge
Tip: The Cordon Rouge red sash references the French Legion of Honour ribbon.
An independent Reims caviste carrying champagnes, French wines, spirits and local produce, with build-your-own gift cases and champagne boxes.
A Reims-based operator running small-group and private champagne tours by Mercedes minivan, pairing grower-village cellars with major house visits.
A Reims operator specialising in private champagne tours of grand cru and premier cru boutique growers. Tours stay small, from a couple to eight guests, around.
Reims relives the coronation of Charles VII and the legend of Joan of Arc with a medieval village, a 500-strong costumed coronation procession to the cathedral and street entertainment. Champagne bars run alongside the festivities in the old town.
Tip: The historic parade winds to the cathedral doors; stake out a spot along the route in the late afternoon.
A month of classical and crossover concerts across Reims heritage venues, from the Basilique Saint-Remi to city parks, with hundreds of artists. Many concerts are free, and the festival pairs naturally with a Champagne tour of the city.
Tip: Plenty of concerts are free; book the marquee evenings at the basilica early as they fill quickly.