Day 3 Monday May 31. We were met by our bus and left Paris at 8.30 am for Champagne. Our first appointment was with Veuve Clicquot at 11.00. We were met at V.C. by Louise Vicq who is in charge of reception at VC and we received a brief explanation of the 3 varieties of grapevine in Champagne before meeting chief oenoligist Philippe Thieffry. Philippe (pictured above) had prepared a most instructive tasting for us where we were shown the base wines (vins claires) of the 3 different varieties. Firstly we saw the Pinot Meunier then the Pinot Noir and finally the chardonnay. This was followed by a blend of the 3 wines. It was extremely interesting to see the different flavour characteristics that each variety brings to the final blend. After the blended Vin Claire we tasted the real thing, the Veuve Clicquot non vintage from magnum. Here we could see all the flavours marry together as well as the complexity that the second fermentation and time on lees can give to the wine.
As a special treat Philippe then produced a magnum of the 1990 Veuve Clicquot. A wine Philippe discribed as his baby and what a wonderful champagne!! Youthful, fresh, complex and delicate a real treat for the tour group to see a champagne with age.
After the tasting it was back onto the bus for the short trip to Verzy where we enjoyed a magnificent lunch provided by Veuve Clicquot in their mansion, the Manoir de Verzy. Our aperatif was the 1998 Grande Dame and the exquisite food was accompanied by the vintage 2002, Rose 2004, Rose 1985 and dessert was a perfect match with the cuvee riche. Above, the tour group outside the Manoir de Verzy after their lunch. After lunch it was back to Reims for a tour of the VC cellars, a wonderful conclusion to a perfect day.
No comments:
Post a Comment