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: Louis Roederer Cristal, Louis 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 Brut, 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 Blanc de Blancs, Taittinger Brut Reserve
Tip: Its cellars occupy former Gallo-Roman chalk pits and the crypt of a 13th-century abbey.
Founded 1729 in Reims and owned by LVMH, Ruinart is Chardonnay-focused and known for its deep UNESCO-listed chalk crayeres on the Saint-Nicaise hill.
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, Rare Champagne
Tip: Marilyn Monroe famously name-checked the brand; the prestige cuvee Rare is now its own label.
Reims house founded 1808 by Apolline Henriot, owned by Terroirs et Vignerons de Champagne (TEVC) since September 2023. 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 Brut, Lanson Clos Lanson Blanc de Blancs
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 Brut
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.
Introduction to sabering with the Champagne Caroline Dufour team, just a stone's throw from Notre-Dame de Reims Cathedral.
Discover Blanc de Noirs champagnes that pair perfectly with cheeses from our regions and beyond. Join us just a stone's throw from the Notre-Dame de Reims Cathedral!
Taste Champagne at a family Champagne producer and a prestige Champagne house on a private day trip from Paris. Tour cellars and see the Cathedral of Notre-Dame of Reims.