We have a couple of regular stops in Champagne that we can recommend for future stays Alistair, firstly
Chateau d'Etoges is very good value and an excellent kitchen. It's popular with several motor clubs, including continental ones - there were Porsche's from Belgium last time we stopped.
If we want to push the boat out a bit more, then
Domaine Les Crayeres is really well worth the experience. The 2-star Michelin restaurant is excellent, but expensive. The very upmarket Brasserie in the grounds is also good and the service and the rooms in the hotel are spectacular.
The house was built by Louise Pommery, a remarkable woman in Champagne and it also said the inventor of the Brut style, as her personal residence and Champagne Pommery is well worth a visit as the cellars are interesting with long carved reliefs of Bacchus celebrating wine on the walls. Unfortunately the Champagne house now suffers from a lack of investment as it is part of Vranken Pommery Monopole and Paul Vranken favours his own name Champagne.
Our own favourite of the Grande Marques is Bollinger, who own Ayala also based in Aÿ, and we also have a commercial relationship with the group which is convenient.
