I Traveled to Champagne, France—Here’s Why It’s Every Wine Lover’s Dream Destination
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I Traveled to Champagne, France—Here’s Why It’s Every Wine Lover’s Dream Destination
Champagne is where all the big-name houses make their bottles. Queen Marie Antoinette herself sipped its very first cuvée. The Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa redefines luxury, with sweeping vineyard views. The hotel offers everything from tennis and hot-air balloon rides to picnics, tea parties, and boat trips. The Director of Rare Champagne offers Champagne 101, filled with simple hacks to help you confidently pick and pour the perfect bottle for you.. Champagne is incredibly versatile, and we recommend caviar, oysters, and caviar cuvées, like Rare’s Mill noisseurs, like Millnoisseurs vintages, from 1988, 1988, and Millnoissé, from 1998, for the best experience. The best way to serve Champagne at home is by placing it in a cool, dark place such as a cellar, or in the bottom of your fridge, chilled — by placing an ice bucket in halfway halfway for 20–50°C.
Only 90 minutes from Paris (hello, perfect day trip!), Champagne is where all the big-name houses make their bottles (if the bubbly wasn’t produced here, technically, it’s not champagne, it’s just sparkling wine, which we also love). With its rich history and limited production, I set my sights on touring the home of Rare Champagne. This isn’t just any champagne—its roots go back to 1785, and fun fact: Queen Marie Antoinette herself sipped its very first cuvée. Talk about drinking like royalty!
But before channeling my inner queen, I made a stop to drop my bags and freshen up at the Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa . Chic doesn’t even begin to cover it—this place redefines luxury. The rooms strike the perfect balance of modern elegance, with sweeping vineyard views that instantly put you at ease. And the best part? The warm, welcoming staff greets you with a glass of bubbly the moment you arrive. Now that’s my kind of check-in.
There was no shortage of things to do on-site. I strolled through the picturesque grounds, but guests can also rent bikes, go horseback riding, or even take a buggy excursion. The hotel offers everything from tennis and hot-air balloon rides to picnics, tea parties, and boat trips. I split my time between the gym and the poolside jacuzzis, but the real highlight was a visit to their state-of-the-art spa. The MyBlend Essential facial had my skin glowing for weeks. The hotel has two restaurants, including Le Royal, which has a Michelin star, but the American in me couldn’t get enough of that all-you-can-eat breakfast bar stacked with all the morning time delights, eggs, meats, cheeses, pastries, and fruit, and of course, champagne. Hey, what’s a little bubbly at 10 am when you’re in Champagne!
After feeling well rested and fed, I headed to the Rare Champagne factory and learned how the wine is made, visited the wine cellars, and had enjoyed a lunch paired with the perfect glasses of bubbly.
I’d be remiss not to acknowledge Champagne’s reputation for being a little hoity-toity. But as the experts at Rare reminded me, true champagne is less about prestige and more about celebrating life, bringing people together, and savoring special moments — joys we all deserve. Still, I get it: choosing a bottle and figuring out how to serve it can feel intimidating, especially if you’re not sure what you’re looking for. That’s why I turned to Maud Rabin, Director of Rare Champagne, for a quick Champagne 101, filled with simple hacks to help you confidently pick and pour the perfect bottle for you.
Champagne 101
Q: What’s the difference between Champagne and sparkling wine?
A: Champagne is unique because it must be made in the Champagne region of France under strict production methods. Sparkling wines can be made in Italy, the U.S., Australia, and other regions of France — but only wines made in Champagne can legally be called Champagne.
Q: What does Brut mean?
A: “Brut” refers to the dryness of the champagne — it means the wine is very low in sugar, making it crisp and refreshing.
Q: How should I store Champagne at home?
A: Ideally in a cool, dark place such as a cellar, or in the bottom of your fridge. Serve it chilled — around 10°C (50°F) — by placing it in an ice bucket filled halfway with water and ice for 20–30 minutes before serving.
Q: Does Champagne go bad?
A: It can, especially older bottles. Champagne is a living wine that evolves in the bottle. If not stored properly, it can deteriorate over time.
Q: Should Champagne be served cold?
A: Yes, Champagne is typically served chilled. However, some connoisseurs prefer older vintages, like Rare Millésime 1988, served closer to room temperature to fully appreciate its complexity.
Q: What foods pair well with Champagne?
A: Champagne is incredibly versatile. With Rare Champagne, we recommend caviar, oysters, ceviche — and even barbecue. Pairing is a matter of personal taste, but Rare shines with both elegance and bold flavours.
Q: What kind of glass should I use to drink Champagne?
A: A red wine glass, such as a Riedel Veritas, is ideal. It allows the aromas and complexity of the Champagne to open up more than a traditional flute.
Q: Why is Champagne associated with celebrations?
A: Bubbles bring joy — they feel festive and elevate any occasion! Historically, Champagne became linked to celebration in the 18th century when it was favored by French royalty and aristocracy as a symbol of luxury and exclusivity.