Home of Champagne

Trip Start Dec 14, 2007
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129
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Trip End Mar 16, 2009


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Flag of France  , Champagne-Ardenne,
Tuesday, September 2, 2008

After a sort train ride from Reims we arrived in the little town of Epernay and casually made our way to the world redound Moët et Chandon cellars which was only short stroll from the station. Moët et Chandon are world rebound not just for their standard label but also for the prestigious Dom Perignon which is named after the guy who discovered Champagne.

The Moët et Chandon cellars is enormous and consists of something like 25km underground chalk tunnels and contains a staggering 100,000,000 bottles in different stages of aging at any given time. Our guide was very interesting Chinese fellow who was just getting into his stride of explaining the wine making process when the lighting system in the cave exploded in a shower of sparks. He got so freaked out that he almost ran out of the cellar but eventually led us miles away while he tried to regain his composure Hanging around with Dom Perignon
Hanging around with Dom Perignon
 . It was hard not to laugh but the look and the expressions from the eccentric little guide were priceless!

After he had completely lost his pace the tour was a little ad-hoc but still gave us enough insight into the Moet production process. The tour concluded with the all important tasting which as Inge-Marie mentioned in the previous entry is priced according you your selection.

Since we had saved money by doing the tour ourselves we were able to taste all the premier and vintage Champagne's instead on the standard stuff. Our tasting consisted of a delicious white 2000 vintage which had lovely toasty flavours from its time in oak and a grand vintage Rose which was just as delicious.

Napoleon said, In victory, you deserve Champagne, in defeat, you need it! So when ever you are having a less than victorious day, pop open a bottle of Champagne and simply celebrate life!
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