The “OenoPass” Launched last week in the Champagne Region

Launched last week by the Champagne region is the wine tourist friendly “OenoPass”.

The idea is simple and ingenious –  Visitors pre-pay 50Euros and have access to ten plus participating partner venues include Champagne houses and Champagne cultural and historical points of interest.

OenoPass is best adapted to tourists who have a car. Participating properties include: Champagne de Castellane in Épernay, Cristallerie Royale de Champagne et Musée du cristal in Bayel, and the Drappier Champagne Estate in Urville, Champagne G.H. Mumm located in Reims, Domaine Pommery and their sister property, Demoiselle, also both located in Reims, as well as Le Phare which is an old lighthouse that an eccentric businessman, Joseph Goulet, built in 1909 in Verzenay which has been restored and resurrected as a modern museum paying tribute to the history and techniques of champagne with state-of-the-art audiovisual installations. All participating venues are along the “Route du Champagne”. Both French and English are spoken.

Tourists have a choice of the 5 coupon ticket [25Euros] or the 10 coupon ticket [50Euros] which are both good until the end of the year, with the special introductory price of 25Euros. Most cellar visits and tastings in Champagne are priced from about 15Euros/per person.

Along the Champagne Route make some stops for regional delicacies such as the ham from Reims “jambon de Reims” which is triple boiled – the legendary Café du Palais in Reims city center serves a generous slice of it accompanied by Langres cheese. Also further down south French foodies never pass up the opportunity to try Andouillette AAAAA from Troyes. Don’t forget the emblematic “biscuits rose” or pink cookies dusted with powdered sugar that so perfectly accompany a glass of rosé or blanc de blanc Champagne!

http://www.oenopass.net

Liz Palmer

@Champagnehouses

Champagne+