After doing a tour and tasting at Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin (VCP), we decided to stop by La Vinocave…read moreon our way back to the Reims train station. This shop is located on the Place Drouet D'Erlon which is lined with restaurants, chocolatiers, patisseries, bars and cafés and is a 5 minute walk from the station. My sister needed to buy a specific Champagne brand as a belated wedding gift for a friend who loves Champagne. She wanted to buy a bottle of Ruinart Champagne (Ruinart's the oldest champagne house in France). The people at VCP recommended that we visit La Vinocave to buy Ruinart. We took their advice and we were not disappointed. My sister was able to buy a Ruinart at the price point she was willing to pay. I really really wanted to buy something to bring home but I packed light for this trip and I did not have room for more things! They have so many different brands of Champagne! I have not never even heard of many of them. It's worth coming in here just to see the collection and learn or get a recommendation from the very knowledgeable owner!

This shop in Épernay, close to the train station, has a fabulous assortment of champagne. They also…read moresell racks, buckets, and other champagne souvenirs and paraphernalia. There is also a bar. The owner is very nice and accommodating. I will be back!!

I always hate to say this, but the portions here were huge. The food was great, but my god. I…read morealmost went into some zombie food coma. Very thorough and interesting wine list especially for champagne as you'd expect. Lots of Classic French fare. There was a tasty but large foie gras pate. There was a huge plate of smoked salmon. There were like a zillion large scallops on my entree. The cheese course was ridiculously large after all of this. For dessert we had a nice dessert sampler. Everything was delicious (mint chocolate chip ice cream!) and it was oddly a nice size. The food was very good. Staff was friendly with our lack of French. But, my good portions were big.

Corsica-born Jacqueline Salvatori has the best champagne list in the Champagne region, if not the…read morewhole of France. Providing you with small batch Champagne at exceptional value. An absolute stop on your way thru Epernay ... by the way, those in the know only purchase direct from Jacqueline as she will have the vintage and the volume to suit there needs.

We arrived at about 9:15pm at Le Coq Rouge after trying unsuccessfully to get into two other…read morerestaurants without reservations. The place was buzzing and after initially being told that they were full, the owner ran after us as we were leaving and offered us a table. This wine bar is an absolute gem. Not only were we warmly welcomed but we had an amazing wine tasting paired with a delicious charcuteries/cheese plate, melt in your mouth meatballs, mini sardines. The real Stars of the experience were of course the wines. We went By the glass, starting with a delicious Philliponat brut Champagne, an Alice Corton, and then a Cotes du Rhône. If we come back to Reims, we will definately call ahead to make a reservation, or get down on our knees to beg for a table.

What a wonderful place! Terrific ambiance. Really packed with locals. Loved the sounds of everyone…read morespeaking French, the clatter of wine glasses, and the whirring of the hand cranked meat slicer. The tables are really close together and the candle light is magical. You can't help but get to know your neighbors which added to the convivial atmosphere. They have an extensive wine list, by the bottle for the most part. It wasn't a problem to consume with the steady stream of nibbles we ordered. The Iberico was delicious. We also got the Mont d'Or: a baked rind cheese served with a baguette, roasted potatoes and salad. It was luxurious. The cheese was enclosed in a wooden basket and when baked turned molten in the middle while the rind became cracklingly crisp. Wow! I suggest their cote du bouef. Others ordered it, a huge platter of melting cheese, beef, roasted potatoes and more. Oh and dessert we had a duo of crime brûlée (vanilla and pistachio) which came with crime brûlée ice cream on the side. The staff speak French and were happy to help even though they were so busy. A real gem.

From the owner: 700 références de vins, principalement des récoltants. 100…read moreréférences de Whiskies, 30 références de Rhums Et bien d'autres alcools : Cognac, Armagnac, Anisés, Portos, Apéritifs régionaux,...

Superbement bien reçu et exceptionnellement bien conseille. Jamais déçues des choix que j'ai fait…read moregrace a lui. Excellentes bouteilles!