Germans drink more bubbly than any other nationality, with riesling sekt (from the regions of Baden, Pfalz and Mosel) absolutely the top quaff. The best way to seek out sekt is along the 85km-long German Wine Route (the country’s oldest) – an idyllic rural stretch studded with castles and encompassing hiking and cycling routes that wiggle through villages, vineyards and forests all the way from Bockenheim down to Schweigen. Along the way, make the most of the opportunity to enjoy tasting sessions at sustainable wineries.
Map out a route to include affordable accommodation and great restaurants through . The self-proclaimed capital of the champagne region is Épernay – and for a speedy intro to the best of the region’s bubbles, consider a whistle-stop tour here, sipping 24 champagnes in 24 hours. This Épernay-based trip includes stops at family-run producers, tasting sessions, accommodation at the four-star Jean Moët hotel as well as trips to the church where Dom Pérignon is buried and to the “cradle of champagne”, Hautvilliers.
It also includes dinner in a hilltop restaurant with champagne pairing. You don’t need to cross the Channel for top-notch wines. Recently rated among the 10 most beautiful vineyards in Europe, family-run English Oak Vineyard in Lytchett Matravers, Dorset, offers tours and delightful picnics under a spreading oak tree, with a bottle of their award-winning Chinkapin rosé.
Or why not join a team of enthusiastic volunteers and help w.