Lunch with Champagne & Ratafia champenois

Discover the Charm of the Champagne Lunch and Cellar Visit at Julien Chopin

This tour in Reims, France, offers a 2-hour experience that combines a private visit to the Julien Chopin house with a delicious lunch. Priced at $80.64 per person, this experience is ideally booked 12 days in advance and is perfect for those seeking an intimate, educational, and flavorful journey into champagne and ratafia production. The tour is recommended by 100% of participants, reflecting its popularity and authenticity.

What makes this experience stand out is the small group size of up to eight participants, enabling a personalized interaction with the hosts. The tour includes tastings of champagne and ratafia at the very site where these beverages are crafted, along with a complementary lunch paired to enhance the tasting notes. This combination makes it an ideal choice for anyone eager to enjoy local flavors in a relaxed setting without the crowds of larger tours.

While the tour does not include transport or pick-up, its central location at the Domaine Julien Chopin offers easy access. The focus remains on authenticity and quality, with reviews consistently highlighting the friendly guides, excellent food, and memorable drinks. This experience especially suits those who appreciate small-group, personalized attention and deep dives into champagne craftsmanship.

Key Points

• Private visit to the Julien Chopin winery with personalized service for groups of up to eight.
• Includes a multi-course lunch paired with champagne and ratafia tastings at the production site.
• Cost of $80.64 per person, booked around 12 days in advance.
• Duration is approximately 2 hours, making it a compact yet comprehensive experience.
• Guides are praised for their friendliness, professionalism, and language skills, often speaking perfect English.
• No transportation included, so guests should plan to meet at the Domaine Julien Chopin in Monthelon.

Visiting the Julien Chopin House in Monthelon

The tour begins at the Domaine Julien Chopin’s location in Monthelon, with an easy-to-find meeting point at 1 Rue Gaston Poittevin. The starting time for this experience is 12:00 pm, and it concludes back at the same meeting point. Since the tour is private, only your group participates, ensuring a relaxed and engaging atmosphere.

This visit revolves around a close-up look at the champagne and ratafia production process. Guests get to walk through the cellar, observe the craftsmanship firsthand, and enjoy the chance to ask questions directly to the hosts. The small group size fosters a warm environment where everyone can participate fully.

The experience is highly rated for its personalized approach, with many reviews mentioning the warm, bilingual hosts and the informative explanations about champagne and ratafia. The professional yet friendly guides make complex processes accessible and interesting.

Tasting Champagne and Ratafia at the Production Site

The core of this experience is sampling champagne and ratafia where they are produced, which adds a special authenticity not always found in larger, commercial tours. Guests taste various champagne styles, appreciating the distinct flavors and qualities that come from a small, dedicated house like Julien Chopin.

Ratafia champenois is also on the tasting menu, a fortified wine that many find new and intriguing. The reviews highlight that the ratafia is delicious, with some describing it as similar to port, offering a unique opportunity to explore local specialties.

The champagne selection is often described as delicious and memorable, with visitors noting the varieties are to die for. The tasting flows naturally into the lunch pairing, enhancing the overall experience and making each sip and bite more meaningful.

The Lunch Paired with Champagne and Ratafia

A significant highlight of this tour is the included lunch, which is prepared personally by host Justine. The food is consistently praised for its quality and flavor, making this a true gastronomic treat. The menu typically features appetizers, a main course, and a cheese board, accompanied by glasses of champagne and ratafia.

Guests appreciate how the lunch is served in a cozy, intimate setting, often in the same cellar where the wine is stored. The pairings are thoughtfully curated, with the champagne enhancing each course, and the ratafia adding a special touch to the cheese board.

The atmosphere during lunch is described as friendly and warm, with the hosts engaging and passionate about their craft. Some reviews mention the self-cooked meal by Justine, which adds a personalized and homey element to the experience.

The Expertise and Personal Touch of the Guides

Many reviews highlight the knowledgeability and friendliness of the hosts, especially Justine, praised for her perfect English and her passion for champagne making. The guides are noted for answering all questions thoroughly and providing insights into the entire process.

Guests value the small-group setting, which allows for more interaction and a less hurried experience. The guides often go beyond standard explanations, sharing personal stories and detailed knowledge that make the tour both educational and engaging.

The personalized attention and passionate hosting are key reasons why this tour receives such high praise and is often recommended without hesitation.

The Unique Experience of a Small-Scale House

Compared to the larger champagne houses, Julien Chopin offers a more intimate experience. Visitors enjoy visiting a small family-run operation, which feels more authentic and less commercial.

The visit to the cellar feels more like a private tour, with the chance to see the production process up close and to enjoy a romantic dinner-like setting if visiting with a partner. Many reviews mention how special it is to have almost exclusive access in a quaint, welcoming environment.

Walking from Epernay to Monthelon through the vineyards adds an extra dimension for those interested in the landscape and the wine-growing region, although this walk is not included in the tour.

Comparing this Tour with Larger Champagne Experiences

While some might expect a walk through vineyards or larger tastings, this tour does not include vineyard walks. Instead, it focuses on the production process at Julien Chopin, which many find more insightful and personal.

Guests compare this experience favorably against visits to big champagne brands, often citing the smaller, more personal nature and the opportunity to taste directly from the source as major advantages.

The private, cozy setting allows for more meaningful conversations and a more relaxed pace, making it especially suited for those who prefer a less commercialized experience.

Practical Details and Booking Considerations

Reservations should be made about 12 days in advance to secure a spot, given its popularity. The tour costs $80.64 per person, which covers lunch, tastings, and the cellar visit.

There is no transportation or pick-up included, so guests need to plan their own arrival at the meeting point in Monthelon. The tour is wheelchair accessible, and service animals are allowed.

The full refund policy allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience, offering flexibility for planning.

Who Will Enjoy the Julien Chopin Lunch and Cellar Tour?

This tour appeals most to those who enjoy personalized, small-group experiences with a focus on authentic craftsmanship. Wine and champagne lovers who appreciate learning about production while tasting at the source will find it especially rewarding.

Foodies will value the carefully prepared lunch paired with drinks, and anyone seeking a more relaxed, intimate visit with knowledgeable hosts will be satisfied. It suits adults of all ages, especially those comfortable with walking and standing for short periods.

The Sum Up: A Genuine Taste of Champagne and Ratafia in a Cozy Setting

The Lunch with Champagne & Ratafia champenois at Julien Chopin offers a personal, flavorful experience in the heart of the Champagne region. The combination of cellar visits, tastings, and home-cooked lunch makes it a standout choice for visitors wanting an authentic, relaxed encounter with local production.

While it lacks vineyard walks or larger tours, the intimate atmosphere, excellent host, and quality food and drinks more than compensate. This experience is best suited for those who value personal attention, local craftsmanship, and delicious pairings.

Overall, it delivers a memorable taste of the region’s best, with many praising the passion and friendliness of the hosts. For anyone looking for a genuine, small-group champagne experience with delicious food, this tour truly hits the mark.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is transportation provided for this tour?
No, the tour does not include transportation or pick-up. Guests are expected to meet directly at the Domaine Julien Chopin in Monthelon.

How far in advance should I book?
It is recommended to reserve about 12 days ahead to ensure availability, as the experience is popular.

What is included in the price?
The $80.64 fee covers the cellar visit, tastings of champagne and ratafia, the multi-course lunch, bottled water, and sodas for non-drinkers or drivers.

Is this tour suitable for children or non-drinkers?
Yes, sodas are available for children and non-drinkers, and most travelers can participate. The experience is private and intimate, making it comfortable for all guests.

Are there any physical limitations to consider?
The tour involves walking through the cellar but is generally accessible. It’s ideal for those who are comfortable with standing and walking for short periods.

Can I cancel if my plans change?
Yes, free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the scheduled start, allowing flexibility for your plans.