When I read The Winemaker’s Wife last summer I immediately wanted to go to Reims and join the French resistance.
Too late to fight the war. #Wewon
But. I’d settle for a visit to the champagne houses of Reims.
First. I had to learn to say it.
Reims.
Pronounced in that throaty/phlegmy French way: *Hhaaa-Emms*
Intoned with as much arrogance as possible.
Lending her expertise and enthusiasm, my friend Meg was kind enough to leave her kids for a weekend *wink* and join me on this dream girl’s trip to the Champagne region.
1. Veuve Clicquot - the Grand Dame of champagne houses was the inaugural stop on our tasting tour. Gratifyingly pretentious (and pristine) in its yellow-orange motif, we enjoyed my (personal) favorite champagne of the weekend.
The “widow’s” chalk cellars did not disappoint. Said with as much French smugness as possible.
2. Le Champagne de Gallais’s vineyard views were spectacular and their charming tasting provided a more educative experience as we were surrounded by grapes in their infancy- soon to become the magical bubbly.
Also. We ran into some friendly Americans there.
Gosh. I do love Americans.
I’ve missed my people.
3. Ruinart Champagne with their impressive courtyard and foreboding French security (words I rarely string together) provided my favorite tasting experience. The winsome French sommelier coupled with the elegant, artful champagne was a complete delight.
Until the thunderstorm.
But, you would hate me if this weekend wasn’t a little bit marred, amiright?
So, our next tasting on- FULL STOP- the most fabulous street in existence- L’Avenue de Champagne - at Moët & Chandon Champagne house was amid a Noahic level deluge.
But, we were tasting champagne away from our children.
On L’Avenue de Champagne.
In the Champagne region.
Magic.
Rain. Ain’t no thang.
Okay.
I was a drowned rat. But no one’s looking at 40ish year old moms.
The cobbled L’Avenue de Champagne sophisticates the quaint town of Épernay. The hauteur of colorful champagne houses flank its street, luring strollers to grab a crystalline glass inside.
So we did.
Champagne de Vigernon, Leclerc de Briant and Moët to name a few.
Each were perfectly lovely.
And unique.
It was a weekend of croissants (I mean it’s France…), charcuterie and champagne.
So, a real hardship.
On my waistline.
Happy (very belated) birthday to me.
Thank you to God for letting me survive this year. #IYKYK
Also, French freedom fighters, if you need me next time, I’m your girl.
No comments:
Post a Comment