Julie-Amandine Michel

Not your average delivery van

Day 4. Tuesday June 1. After our visit to Veuve Clicquot we booked into our Hotel which was located in the heart of Reims not far from Krug. This resulted in a day without the bus as we were able to take a short 15 minute walk from our Hotel to the Krug cellars. A picturesque walk, passing the Hotel de Ville, Louis Roederer and Jacquart along the way. After we arrived at Krug we were met by Julie-Amandine Michel, responsible for receptions and Francois Mateo chief of export to the Australasian region.

We were made welcome immediately upon arrival with a glass of Grande Cuvee, an exquisite champagne combining power with finesse. Julie-Amandine and Francois explained the philosophy and history of Krug whilst we savoured this delightful champagne.

After this initial tasting we then set out on a tour of the cellars, exploring the caves beneath the city of Reims and passing millions of Euros of magnificent champagne quietly maturing. Our hosts took us throughout the cellars showing us the bottling process, the reserve wine collection and the labelling area before returning to the tasting room.

It was then that we were given a special treat of trying the 1998 vintage followed by a second tasting of the Grande Cuvee so we could make a direct comparison between the two styles. Everyone was spellbound as Julie-Amandine poured the champagnes and we tried this most oppulent of champagnes. The vintage had the most delicious toasty aromas with a wonderfully intense flavour packed palate which was beautifully balanced by the acidity. Julie-Amandine was in no rush and neither were we. However in the end all good things must pass and so our party left after a most informative and enjoyable visit to one of champagnes great houses. Later that evening we had an extremely enjoyable group dinner at the Brasserie Boulingrin. Boulingrin is a dining institution in Reims with tradtional French cuisine. We were very honoured to be joined by Veuve Cliquot winemaker, Philippe Thieffry and his wife Laurence. The food was excellent, the wine flowed and the laughter went late into the night.