Wines & Vines: My Journey Through France & Italy – Part I
A Champagne Welcome
My 2025 adventure in France has begun! Traveling with two friends for the first week, we arrived at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport early on a crisp Saturday morning, March 29. The journey through baggage claim tested our patience, but by 8:15 am, we had our luggage in hand. Fortunately, picking up our rental car was a breeze—an especially welcome relief after the long flight. And just like that, we were off, heading straight to the heart of Champagne.
The drive to Avize took about two hours. My personal goal was to stay up all day to adjust to the nine-hour time difference from Seattle as quickly as possible. We checked into our charming Airbnb, hosted by Nina, whose family produces Champagne Hervé Dubois—one of the houses we import directly for University Wines. You can find the Airbnb here.
A quick walk to the local pharmacy for shampoo turned into a leisurely stroll, soaking in the charming streets of Avize. Along the way, we spotted a cozy restaurant, La Cheminée, and decided to stop for lunch. It turned out to be a wonderful, family-run gem, where the son took our order while his father prepared the food. I asked for their favorite pizza with meat, and it was simply perfect—fresh, flavorful, and cooked with care.
Determined to stay awake, I set off on a solo walk after lunch, meandering through town and eventually finding myself in a historic Christian graveyard, surrounded by the rolling vineyards of Chardonnay. The quiet beauty of the space was peaceful and humbling, with gravestones dating back to the mid-1800s. As I wandered, I had a long phone call with my husband, whom I was already missing.
For dinner, we didn’t have to go far—just downstairs to Nina’s tasting bar, Le Recommandé (Le Recommandé). We shared a bottle (or two) of Champagne Hervé Dubois, toasting to the start of an incredible journey.
Sunday in Reims and Épernay
On Sunday, we set off for Reims to explore its rich history. Our first stop: the breathtaking Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Reims. Stepping inside was like stepping into another world—one of towering gothic splendor and centuries of history. To my delight, a Sunday service was taking place, filling the vast cathedral with beautiful French words that echoed through the stone walls.
After a delicious lunch nearby at Brasserie Le Clairmarais (where the bathroom featured a shoe-shining machine—how very French!), we continued to Épernay. There, we took a tour of the famed Moët & Chandon cellars. With some time before our tour, we wandered through the gardens at Château Perrier, a stunning museum dedicated to wine and regional archaeology. The Moët tour itself was nothing short of fascinating—two hours exploring just a fraction of the 17 miles of cellars hidden 100 feet below ground, filled with history and, of course, Champagne!
By the time we returned to Avize, we were ready to relax. We picked-up dinner at La Case à Pizza. We enjoyed a simple meal, recounted the highlights of our day, and I fell asleep the moment my head hit the pillow.
A Day of Champagne Tastings
Monday, April 31, was a day visiting the Champagne houses we import from directly. First up was Champagne Le Mesnil (Champagne Le Mesnil), where we tasted their exquisite Blanc de Blancs and learned more about their meticulous winemaking process. Next, we met with Nina and her father, Hervé, at Champagne Hervé Dubois (Champagne Hervé Dubois). Sitting down for lunch again at Le Recommandé, we savored local dishes alongside more of their incredible Champagne.
The final visit of the day was to Champagne Guy Charlemagne (Champagne Guy Charlemagne), where we experienced the perfect balance of tradition and innovation in their wines. After a full day of tastings and discussions, we packed up and left Avize, making our way to our next destination—Beaune.
This trip is just getting started, and I can’t wait to share more as the journey unfolds. Stay tuned for the next chapter, filled with more wine, unforgettable landscapes, and the magic of France!