Re: Now is a great time for travel, time for a Champagne Sojourn

After receiving your recent e-mail concerning your scheduled trip to Champagne, France during the 2008-09 Holidays, I thought I would share my experience with you. My husband and I lived in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France, just west of Paris for just short of two years. While in France, we were invited to go on a champagne tasting trip with people who had already been there & therefor, made great tour guides. My husband, Mark, & I ventured out early on a Saturday, May 6, 2006 with six other Americans to the Champagne Region for a champagne-tasting adventure. We drove through the hilly, winding roads in the eastern French countryside to the city of Hautvillers . The drive was spectacular! The view from the A4 Autoroute was one of French hillside estates, cottages, and droves of cattle taking in the sun on blankets of green manicured pastures. All the flowers were in full bloom & the tulips were standing tall. I was snapping pictures out of the car window while heading toward Champagne-Ardenne. This region is in the northeast of France, bordering Belgium . Its rivers include the Seine, the Marne and the Aisne . These rivers all flow in a westerly direction. First Stop [Des Champagnes - G. Tribaut] This lovely chateau located an hour and 30 minute drive from Paris is next door (2- 3 miles ) to Epernay , in the heart of the Marne Valley . It is a family-owned house of the Champagnes G. Tribaut and has been managed by the same family for more than three generations. In a typical champenois style, there are more than 140 wrought iron signs and three different views over the Marne Valley that makes you understand why Hautvillers is called "the Pearl of Champagne." It's favorable sunny exposure of its hills are classified as “Premier Cru” (First Vintage) in Hautvillers. Because of the type of soil and the direction of the sun on the vines, the wines from the Champagne regionare the best in the world. Before medeival times, churches owned vineyards and monks produced wine for use in the sacrament of Eucharist. Moët & Chandon is located in this region and the largest brand and manufacturer of champagne. The French monk Dom Perignon did not invent champagne, although it is true that he developed many advances in its production. We didn't have enough time to visit that chateau because it was a day-trip. The Tribaut family owns 12 hectares ( 26 acres ) of land all sewn with vineyards. In order to make champagne, the grapes must be the white Chardonnay, or the red Pinot Noir or Pinot Meunier (a few very rare other grapes that were historically important are allowed, but very unusual). Those 3 types of grapes were used to make the champagnes we tasted. Our vintner even spoke English which made it easy to understand what the champagnes consisted of and what foods to serve with each magic elixir. They bring a tray full of demi champagne flutes for the tasting group. It was great to experience this event along with some of the locals who ended up entertained by the "Americans" while we enjoyed every drop with pleasure. And, the prices are about 1/3 the cost you pay in Paris . You don't find such fine sparkling wines too many places in the U.S. without paying generously for the stuff if it's available. After we finished tasting & purchasing our champagnes of choice, we headed to Epernay to enjoy dejeuner at Le Royal Champagne Hotel. The best thing about this hotel is that it is situated on a hill with fantastic views overlooking the vines and the town of Epernay . The drive along the roads through the middle of the vines leading to the hotel makes you aware you are going somewhere pretty special. Three hrs. later, after a delicious gourmet 5 course lunch, we continued our journey farther east to Reims (pronounced Reh), the largest city in the Champagne region and known to most people to be the capital of Champagne . We went there to visit a truly remarkable landmark, the Cathedrale Reims. Reims played an important role in French history, as it was the place where the kings of France were crowned. Notre-Dame Cathedral [ Reims , France ] This structure is a mini version of Notre Dame in Paris . It is amasterpiece of gothic art from the 13th century. As a reminder of christening of Clovis , the cathedral was the show place of 30 coronations. Adorned with over 2,300 statues, including the famous “Smiling Angel.” Destroyed by the Germans during the First World War, but restored since, this cathedral played the same role in France as Westminster Abbey did in England . It was there that was kept the Holy Ampulla containing the chrism which allegedly was brought by a white dove (the Holy Spirit) at the baptism of Clovis in 496, and was used for the anointing, the most important part of the coronation of French kings. The outstanding handling of new architectural techniques in the 13th century, and the harmonious marriage of sculptural decoration with architecture, has made Notre-Dame in Reims one of the masterpieces of Gothic art. The former abbey still has its beautiful 9th-century nave, in which lie the remains of Archbishop St Rémi (440–533), who instituted the Holy Anointing of the kings of France. The former archiepiscopal palace known as the Tau Palace where the religious ceremonies took place, was almost entirely rebuilt in the 17th century. A fabulous day we will never forget!

Re: Now is a great time for travel, time for a Champagne Sojourn

Merci Nancy, Looks like your introduction to Champagne was a success, thank you for sharing your experience with us!