Champagne wine area
Photo: FrDr / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
The Côte de Sézanne is a chardonnay-led vineyard south of Épernay, on the western edge of Champagne. All 12 of its villages are rated autre cru, and the wine comes from small growers on chalk and clay slopes.
The Côte de Sézanne vineyard covers just under 1,500 hectares across 12 communes, including Allemant, Broyes, Sézanne, Vindey, Saudoy, Barbonne-Fayel, Bethon and Villenauxe-la-Grande. The area is an extension of the Côte des Blancs, south of Épernay, in Champagne.
Chardonnay makes up about 75% of plantings, followed by Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir. Sézanne's own vineyard covers 206 hectares: 143 of chardonnay, 33 of meunier and 30 of pinot noir. The vines sit on gentle slopes, mostly facing southeast.
The soil is mainly Cretaceous chalk. Local growers describe clay in the soil and a milder climate than other Champagne areas, which protects against spring frost.
All 12 villages are rated autre cru; the area has no Grand Cru or Premier Cru villages. The vineyard was replanted late after phylloxera, from around the 1960s and 1970s, and is cultivated today at roughly half its historic maximum area.
Sézanne is the western gateway to Champagne, less than 2 hours from Paris by road. The town has held the Petite Cité de Caractère label since December 2017.
The Sézanne tourist office runs a guided town tour (90 minutes, from €5.50 ($6), free under 18) and offers a "Vendangeur d'un jour" harvest experience.
From Paris Est, a direct train reaches Épernay in 80 minutes (1 hour 20 minutes). Sézanne is about 42 km further by road, around 37 minutes from Épernay. Plan on a car or a pre-arranged transfer for that stretch.
Opening hours are small-grower hours, and some estates close on Sundays: Champagne JR near Talus-Saint-Prix, for example, is closed on Sundays. Check each estate's hours before you travel.
Many growers here take visitors by appointment or reservation only. Book ahead rather than turning up.
À La Française / Viator
You spend 3 hours at one family-run winery near Épernay, with six tastings and lunch included. Groups are capped at 12 and a local guide leads in English. At €90 ($97), the fee covers entrance, tastings and the meal.
From €903 hours
Best for: A hands-on tasting class with lunch, small groups
Sparkling Tour / Viator
You visit three family-run Champagne growers outside Reims in a private minivan with air conditioning, for up to 8 people. The 8-hour day starts with hotel pickup in Reims or Épernay and includes entry and tastings of 10 Champagnes. It costs €495 ($535) from.
From €4958 hours
Best for: Small groups who want a private day with three growers
À La Française / Viator
You spend 8 hours 10 minutes with a local English-speaking guide in a group of no more than 8. The day covers a Veuve Clicquot visit, a family-run winery and a traditional lunch. At €330 ($356), it includes 9 Champagne tastings and admission.
From €3308 hours 10 minutes
Best for: Small-group full day: one big house, one grower
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