Imagine being taken deep inside the caves of Champagne Vilmart and its owner/winemaker Laurent Champs asking which of its golden tresures (behind lock and key) you wanted to break open? Laurent himself chose the above vintage bottles which includes a ’93 Cellier D’Or as well as several more recent vintages … The day began with [...]

Don’t the glasses above looking tempting? Herve Deschamps, the chef de cave, was in a different part of France that day yet enjoyed a fabulous tour and tasting.  You might not be aware of the history … the winery opened in 1811 … Pierre Perrier developed the vineyards in the family of his wife Rose [...]

I So after visiting the three champagne festivals, I was lucky enough to get a VIP tour of Champagne G.H. Mumm in Reims. It was a cool cloudy day with rain sometimes showering through the occasional glimpses of sun — and the G.H. Mumm is right in the city – I took a cab. On [...]

So Les Artisans du Champagne was the last fair in this three day festival, and though not the oldest, seemed for some reason the most “old school” — perhaps because the percentage of extremely well known smaller houses were so prevailent. One had the chance to speak one on one with the winemakers and/or owners [...]

So fab! The day started out great with a glass in my hand and a few dozen producers pouring their vin clairs and champagne. I would llke to say all were fabulous –  yet will modify this by saying all were clean and precise and from that point it is personal taste.  Many people from [...]

Wow it is so exciting to be here and meet the growers. I am in Epernay at the Terroirs & Talents de Champagne tasting at the Au Restuarante Theatre.  It is the same glamorous red-themed restaurant where the CIVC took educators in November, yet upstairs. On the way to my hotel Clos Raymi in Eperney, [...]

I am SO excited to visit Champagne next week! I heard about the three festivals on LinkedIn from Jiles Halling (My Man in Champagne) and he has been very helpful in helping me set up the trip. The first event is  Terroirs et Talents de Champagne and  takes place in Epernay on  Sunday 15th April [...]

So now after two and a half days of drinking $$$$ of very fine champagne (as a guest!) I am back in New York and looking for something slightly more affordable for Christmas. At Le Bernadin last week, sommelier Aldo Sohm (who won best sommelier in the world competition and is always winning new ones) introduced [...]

  Bruno Paillard is an increasingly popular brand, and the first time I heard about it was during a week I spent as AXA’s guest for winning a competition related to the Masters of Wine programme – it was the wine served in the very elegant ‘drawing room’ of Chateau Pichon-Longueville before dinner. The other [...]

  One of the highlights of a very impressive trip to Champagne was an excellently conducted tutored  tasting of “base wines” at Champagne Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin, followed by a “fantasy lunch” at l’Hotel du Marc, a very private, incredibly lavish, Proustian mansion owned by LVMH, complete with beautifully-attired servers and of course the best champagne. [...]

  Drive up to the home/winery of winemaker Francis Boulard — who makes some of the finest Champagne I have ever tasted — and you will see a modest farmhouse, colorful children’s toys in the large driveway, and … a trampoline.   The farmhouse had been purchased by Francis, his wife, and daughter/winemaker Delphine after [...]

Ah, Bollinger … Established in 1829 in Ay, France, it’s almost impossible to know the magic of this incredible Champagne house until one has experienced a tour led by M. Cristian Dennis, a very affable gentlemen who knows all the secrets (yes, and secret passageways as well!) As is the case with every single Champagne [...]

      “How theatrical!” Was the response as we entered the red velvet walls of Le Theatre in Epernay, a charming town with its petite pretty parks and Belle Epoque buildings. 18th century Paris and some modern romantic arty types of pieces (silouttes anyone?) decorated the restaurant’s red walls. “Welcome!” said the movie star [...]