This is a Champagne stop you can actually slow down for. You’ll sample champagne and ratafia champenois right at the Domaine Julien Chopin site, then settle into a proper lunch that’s built around those flavors. I really like how the menu pairs food with what’s in your glass, and I also like that ratafia gets treated as more than a curiosity. One thing to consider: this isn’t a long vineyard-walking, full-day production tour.

It’s set up for a small group (limited to eight), in English, and it’s private for just your party. Lunch is included, and you’re done in about two hours, starting at 12:00 pm—no pick-up required. If you’re hoping for a big outdoor tour with endless countryside stops, you’ll want to set your expectations for a more focused on-site experience.

Key highlights you’ll care about

• Small group, private feel: limited to eight participants, so the pace stays human.
• Ratafia champenois with your meal: grapes marinated in ratafia show up in the starter concept.
• Lunch is part of the ticket price: not a separate add-on, and it’s paired with alcohol.
• Chaource and Langres cheeses appear: a real local cheese moment, not a generic cheese board.
• On-site hospitality in English: the experience is offered in English and runs with a friendly, attentive crew.
• You can taste multiple styles: champagne plus ratafias champenois, served throughout the lunch.

Lunch with Champagne and Ratafia at Domaine Julien Chopin

If you’ve been doing Champagne-region tours that feel like a timed checklist, this one is designed to feel more like an appointment with the people who make the product. The setting is at Champagne Julien Chopin (Domaine Julien Chopin), in Monthelon near Reims. It’s not a drive-by tasting room; you’ll be where the house produces and where the staff can explain what you’re tasting.

The big idea here is simple: you’ll taste, then you’ll eat, then you’ll taste again. That sequence matters. Champagne and ratafia are different beasts—one is made through the sparkling-method style process, and ratafia is its own traditional local expression—so experiencing them alongside starters, mains, and dessert makes the flavors easier to connect.

Also, this experience is priced as a real deal for what you get: an included lunch plus alcoholic beverages, with a small-group format. At $81.70 per person, it’s not a cheap snack, but it does add up when you consider that you’re not just paying for a few pours.

What’s served: duck rillettes with Ratafia to fruit tartlet

This lunch is built like a tasting meal. You don’t just receive a glass and then wander; your food course choices reflect what’s being offered in the glass.

Starter: Toast of duck rillettes with Ratafia

The meal starts with toast of duck rillettes, paired conceptually with ratafia champenois—specifically grapes marinated in Ratafia champenois from Julien Chopin. In plain terms: ratafia isn’t just a side drink here. It’s part of the flavor story of the first bite.

Why you’ll probably enjoy this: duck rillettes bring fat and richness, and ratafia’s grape-based character can add fruit depth rather than just sweetness. If you’ve never had ratafia before, this starter gives you a fast way to understand it without making you read a label first.

Main: Chicken fillet with forest sauce, wild rice, and local cheeses

Next comes chicken fillet with forest sauce, served with wild rice and two local cheeses: Chaource and Langres. Champagne and cheese is a classic match, but this one is tighter and more specific because you’re not guessing what cheeses they’ll use. Chaource and Langres bring distinct styles, and they change how your palate perceives the champagne pours.

Forest sauce is another key detail. It leans earthy and savory, which usually pairs well with bubbles that help reset the mouth between bites. If you’re picky about pairing, you’ll likely appreciate that they’re not doing a generic sauce approach.

Dessert: Fruit tartlet

For dessert, you get a fruit tartlet. It’s straightforward and designed to land cleanly after the wine-and-cheese sequence. It also helps that the whole meal is paced to fit into about two hours, so you’re not eating yourself into a mid-afternoon nap.

Drinks: champagne and ratafias throughout

You’ll sample champagne and ratafias champenois as part of the experience, and you’ll also get bottled water. If you don’t drink alcohol, you’re covered with soda/pop options.

That matters in real life. A lot of “tasting experiences” only work if everyone drinks the same thing. Here, there’s at least a non-alcoholic choice included in the package.

Stop 1 at Champagne Julien Chopin: where the story stays on-site

The experience is centered on one main location: Champagne Julien Chopin at the Domaine Julien Chopin address (1 Rue Gaston Poittevin, 51530 Monthelon). There isn’t a multi-stop day where you’re crisscrossing regions. Instead, you stay put and build understanding around what you taste.

From what’s been described by people who’ve done this, you can expect an on-site look that connects the product to the place where it’s made, with explanations offered in English. Some visitors also talk about a cave or cellar visit, which fits the area’s traditional production style and gives you context that a tasting room alone can’t deliver.

A quick reality check: this is still a lunch experience. One of the tradeoffs you should keep in mind is that you’re not signing up for a full vineyard walk. If your ideal day includes walking rows of grapes and spending an entire morning outdoors, you might end up wanting something more expansive.

Timing and logistics: a 12:00 pm lunch that fits your Champagne day

The start time is 12:00 pm, and the experience runs about two hours. That makes it a good pivot in a day when you’re already in the Champagne area or coming in after driving.

A few practical points that make this easier to plan:

• No pick-up: you’ll need to get yourself to the meeting point.
• Ends back at the meeting point: you’re not shuttled elsewhere.
• Private for your group: you won’t be mixed with random strangers.
• Mobile ticket: you’ll have that ready on your phone.
• English offered: you won’t have to guess your way through the explanations.
• Service animals allowed: the experience permits them.

And because the group is limited to eight participants, the lunch doesn’t feel like you’re wedged into a factory line of hungry people. That’s often the difference between Champagne tasting that feels thoughtful and tasting that feels rushed.

Price and value: $81.70 for lunch, alcohol, and local cheese

Let’s talk money, but in a useful way.

At $81.70 per person, you’re paying for several things at once:

• lunch (starter, main, dessert),
• alcoholic beverages included with the meal,
• bottled water,
• soda/pop for anyone not drinking,
• and an English-hosted on-site experience.

So the question isn’t just whether the price feels high or low. It’s whether it replaces other paid meals and paid tastings. Here, it basically does. If you were to buy a tasting flight and then pay for lunch separately, you’d likely end up near or above this figure—especially in a tourist-heavy region where tasting prices can add up quickly.

The other value angle is the format: limited group size and a private feel. For many people, that’s what makes the experience worth it. You’re more likely to get questions answered and to actually taste with attention rather than just moving through the motions.

One more detail that can help you budget mentally: it’s a small house, and the atmosphere tends to be more personal than with larger operations. That usually means you’re more likely to want to purchase a bottle afterward—so if you’re planning to bring something home, have a little extra room in your travel budget.

Who should book this Champagne and Ratafia lunch?

This works best if you fit at least one of these profiles:

You want a midday break that’s not just standing around. A sit-down lunch paired with champagne is a smart way to enjoy the region without turning your day into a full marathon.

You’re curious about ratafia champenois specifically. Ratafia can be unfamiliar, and this experience treats it as part of the meal rather than a token sip.

You prefer small-group, personal hospitality. With a limit of eight participants and a private structure, the pace stays calmer than big-group tours.

You don’t need a vineyard-walk day. If you’re okay swapping outdoor hiking time for on-site tastings and explanations, you’ll likely enjoy the focus.

Should you book it?

Book it if you want a thoughtful, on-site Champagne lunch that’s built around both champagne and ratafia, with local food and cheese that actually carry the tasting. It’s also a great choice if you’re visiting after a long drive or you want a two-hour experience that keeps your afternoon flexible.

Skip or look for something else if your perfect Champagne day includes extended vineyard walking, big-picture vineyard landscapes, and lots of outdoor time. This is a lunch-centered experience, not a long scenic hike or a full production day.

FAQ

What time does the lunch start?

It starts at 12:00 pm.

How long does the experience last?

It lasts about 2 hours.

Is lunch included in the price?

Yes. Lunch is included, and it includes starter, main, and dessert.

What foods and drinks are included?

Included are alcoholic beverages plus bottled water, and soda/pop is also included for people who don’t drink alcohol. The menu includes toast of duck rillettes with Ratafia, chicken fillet with forest sauce, wild rice, local cheeses Chaource and Langres, and a fruit tartlet.

Is there alcohol for non-drinkers?

Alcohol isn’t required. Soda/pop is included for people who don’t drink alcohol.

Do I need pick-up transport?

No pick-up is included. You’ll meet at the listed address.

Is this experience private and in English?

Yes, it’s private for your group only, and it’s offered in English.

Can I cancel and get a refund?

Yes. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Is the experience suitable for most people?

Most travelers can participate, and service animals are allowed.

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