Reims Cathedral
Driving through the countryside of Champagne, I try to put a name to the exact shade of rapeseed yellow that intersperses the lush green of the vines. Sadly my wine-shade lexicon proves unhelpful in this situation and I have to settle on the rather underwhelming: vivid.
Vivid, as it turns out, is a rather good description of the region as a whole. Of course the wines, both the sparklings and lesser-known stills, are characteristically vivid, with bright acidity and minerality, thanks to the region’s cool climate and terroir. However, so too is the overall feeling of the region thanks to its UNESCO World Heritage listing, granted in 2015.
The listing is not only a source of pride for the people and winemakers of Champagne, but has also led to a marked uptick in the opening of high-end shops and experiences, according to Thibaut Le Mailloux, director of marketing and communications at Champagne Gosset, who was previously director of communications at Champagne’s regional body the Comité Champagne.
Here, then, is a guide to exploring the luxury side of the region, focused on the three key areas in which to base yourself: Reims, Epernay and Aÿ.
Reims 
The famous illuminated staircase at Veuve Clicquot. Credit: Veuve Cliquot
It may be one of the most well-known Champagne houses – and its story has recently been made into a film, released in August 2024 – but Veuve Clicquot really does offer one of the
