Over 4000 Champagne Producers in France...Where Do I Begin?

Just one hour from Paris is Champagne; a region unlike any other wine region in France.
To visit, where does one start, a few years ago I spent over a week exploring this area and tasting and barely scratched the surface. 

We all know the famous houses located in Reims and Epernay, but the real treat these days is visiting the smaller Champagne houses who are now opening their doors to the public and either don't charge for a tasting or charge a nominal fee.  These smaller producers are passionate about their product and that comes out in talking to them and their wines will make you marvel and you'll never get to taste those here in the USA. 
So check back in the following weeks as I explore some of the smaller producers. 
Near the famous village of Hautvillers, known as the birthplace of Champagne, you must stop at Au 36, a cool designer bar that doubles as a boutique ans serves food too. Have a tasting along with some regional specialties - . The food and wine tasting is about Euro 15 per person. 

Current Menu

- Foam beet / Trout
and Parmesan crumble
- cake potato ham Reims
- Laminated white pudding / Mushrooms
- paté crust
- lentillons Champagne / Reims ham and ham Ardennes
- chaource
- pink macaroon biscuits and jam Raspberry

www.au36.net