The Vignobles & Découvertes label aims to provide quality services and visits catering to wine tourism. The label appeals to a customer base that appreciates the world of wine without necessarily being connoisseurs, and offers a range of quality services: accommodation, cultural sites, leisure activities, cellar tours, restaurants, exploration of natural spaces, events and more.
Six destinations in Champagne have been awarded the label: Coteaux Sud d'Epernay et Côte des Blancs, Massif de Saint Thierry, vallée de l'Ardre, Montagne de Reims, Vallée de la Marne, Côte des Bar and Coteaux du Sézannais.
Destination: Coteaux du Sézannais
The vineyards of the Coteaux du Sézannais are a continuation of the Côte des Blancs, to the south of Épernay. In former times, they belonged to the diocese of Troyes.
The Sézannais vineyards also stretch to the east of the Brie plateau, on hillsides carved out by two rivers, the Surmelin and the Petit Morin. In this area, pinot meunier is the most predominate (56%), followed by chardonnay (32%) and pinot noir (12%).
In the Grand Morin area, named after the river of the same name, the vineyards are mostly planted with chardonnay (72%). The more continental climate here makes for a more generous, fruity chardonnay on the south and east facing slopes.
With vines, woodlands, marshes and lakes, a varied landscape of unexpected richness is to be found in Brie and the Coteaux du Sézannais.
This region offers the following 52 tourism services:
- 14 wine cellars, including those of Le Brun de Neuville champagne in Bethon
- 12 places to stay, including the Chateau of Étoges hotel and restaurant
- 6 restaurants, including La Croix d’Or in Sézanne
- 7 heritage sites, including the Church of Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul in Villenauxe-la-Grande
- 3 leisure activities, including the outstanding garden "Entre Cour et Jardin" in Sézanne
- 5 events, including the Sézanne wine fair
- 1 tourist office in Sézanne
- 3 receptive tour operators