I came here as a tourist, and I loved it. Now I live in France, but I'd still come back. At the very least, when I have visitors who like Champagne.

Moët & Chandon is THE name in Champagne, as far as I'm concerned. Fads like Kristal will come and go, but the stuff that Father Dom Pérignon himself invented is the timeless treasure of the region that so tightly holds control over its name.

Forget for a moment (or for about an hour) that Moët & Chandon is now part of the Louis Vuitton/Hennessy/Moët conglomerate. Once you enter the caves and learn the history (and the mystery) of the Champagne process, you'll find yourself surrounded as much by a sense of time and place as you do bottles of sparkling wine.

Forget for a moment that you'll probably be surrounded by loud, uncouth tourists who are better suited for the gift shop at the Eiffel Tower than a classy joint like this. If you're a fan of Champagne, then it's worthwhile to see where the beverage comes from.

The "Imperial" tasting, though costly, is worthwhile. You'll get to have several glasses of Champagne that would cost a hefty amount by the bottle, whereas the regular tasting - well, you can get that stuff any time.