On the road to Givet
The Champagne region is in an area mostly confined between Reims, Epernay, and Châlons-en-Champaigne.
On the map below, Reims is just off the top of the map, slightly to the left of center. (Where A4 and N44
are converging)
Coincidentally, when driving between Givet and CDG one passes
very close to this region. It would be a shame to ignore such an
important region, wouldn't it?
Some years ago I got some very nice champagne at Jean Aubry's winery,
located in Jouy-Lès-Reims, after having gotten a recommendation
that wineries in this area have some of the best champagne. Was
it as good as a Grand Cru? I don't really know. But it was very
good nonetheless.
The village square (you can't miss it, the village is tiny) has a map
showing the local wineries...if I recall correctly, there's about half
a dozen or so. To get there, get off of the A4 on the
second? (first?) exit south of Reims on the way to Paris. Go along D26 for about 2km
and you're there.
Here's a site that
collects links to wineries.
Very useful! Also, from one of the websites, here's an overall
map of the Champagne region. The star labeled "8" is near
Jouy-Lès-Reims. If you want to visit particular wineries,
particularly when it's the "off-season" (like non-summer, or Sunday, or
holidays), it's a good idea to send them an e-mail message and let them
know when you'd like to visit.
But you can always just drive around and see what's open. Along
the Marne is good, and from Epernay one can fine wineries to the west,
north and south.
From the map, it look like taking the A4
from Reims *away* from Paris will bring you to some good wineries, but
sadly I haven't explored in that area (yet!)