A Guide to the Best of Bouzy Champagne
Last Updated on 16th March 2023 by Sophie Nadeau
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Bouzy is an aptly named town in the heart of Champagne, a historic region which is classed as Grand Cru, a special designation for vineyards that are of superior quality. Here’s your guide to the best things to do in Bouzy, as well as things to know before you go.
Bouzy is a Champagne town of under 1000 residents to the southeast of Montagne de Reims and is around a twenty minute drive from the city of Epernay. The symbol of the town is a cockerel and so you’ll find emblems of the rooster all around town, including a larger than life statue right in front of the town hall (mairie).
The best time to visit Champagne is during the last few weeks of October when the leaves of the vines are transformed into golden hues and the landscape is transformed from rolling hills of green to burnt umber shades of autumnal reds, oranges, and yellows. For more information on the region, check out my suggested Champagne itinerary and some of the most fun facts about Champagne.
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Bouzy Rouge
One of the most famous non sparkling drinks to come from the Champagne region is Bouzy Rouge. This red wine is produced exclusively in and around Bouzy and is made from Pinot Noir. There is also a rosé to come from the village, and this is made by mixing Bouzy Rouge with Champagne.
Things to do in Bouzy
Go Champagne tasting
When it comes to visiting the historic Champagne Ardenne Region (which has now been absorbed into the Grand Est as part of an administrative shakeup in 2016), the number one thing to do is to go Champagne tasting. Further down you’ll find my list of the best places to go Champagne tasting in Bouzy.
Snap a photo with the statue of Dom Perignon
A close to life-sized statue of Dom Perignon (the monk who aided greatly with refining the Champagne making process and is now interred in the Abbey of Hautvillers) stands in pride of place along the main thoroughfare of the town. If you spot his statue, be sure to snap a photo!
See the church
Like almost every town and village in France, there is a church in the heart of the village that is dedicated to Saint Basle. Local records show that there has been a church in the village since the Gallo Roman era, when a small church served the parish.
Originally, the church was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, though this was changed in 1672 to Saint Basle. Over the following centuries, the population of the once small village grew considerably and so the decision was taken to build a new church.
The ecclesiastical building you see today was built in the 19th-century. A large part of financing of the church was thanks to local parishioner, My Yvonnet, who won the gold bullion lottery in 1851 and donated a significant amount of funds to rebuilding the church.
Where to go Champagne tasting in Bouzy
There are a number of places to taste the eponymous bubbly of the region in Bouzy, though these are some of my personal favourites. It should be noted that some Champagne houses make you pay for a tasting, while others prefer to let their drink for themselves.
Most of the Champagne Houses will waive the tasting fee if you buy a certain number of bottles. Please note that most Champagne houses (across all of Champagne) are closed between 12 and 2 PM for lunch so don’t try and visit at these times!
Gaston Collard: This Champagne House was founded in the 1980s and has remained in the family ever since. They also sell their own ratafia, a kind of fortified liquor that is made from the grape skins. Overall, this is my favourite Champagne house in the entirety of Champagne region and I particularly recommend Cuvée Lucie.
Champagne P. Louis Martin: This Champagne House offers tastings in French and English and they take place in a professional tasting room. This establishment sells Bouzy Rouge as well as a rosé that has been made by blending Champagne with Bouzy Rouge.
Champagne Alfred Tritant: This Champagne House offers tastings in their cellar from Monday to Friday and on Saturdays by appointment only. Tasting sessions are in French or English and will also allow you to sample the famous Bouzy Rouge (which is honestly the most unusual red wine I’ve ever tried!)
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