Day 3 Monday 27 June 2011

Tasting with Philippe Thieffry

Lunch at Manoir de Verzy

We were collected by our bus at 8.30 for the drive from Paris to Reims, the capitol of champagne and the home of Veuve Clicquot. When we arrived at VC we were met by the Chief Oenologist Philippe Thieffry who introduced our group to the 3 grape varieties of champagne through a tasting of vins claires of each variety before tasting the final blend. This was followed by the final product, a magnum of Veuve Clicquot yellow label NV. After the tasting we were bussed out to the Veuve Clicquot Mnasion, The Manoir de Verzy where we enjoyed an exquisite lunch matched with a selection of the most wonderful Clicquot champagnes. Lunch was followed by a tour of the historic  VC cellars in Reims.
Champagnes tasted were, Veuve Clicquot Non Vintage, 1998 La Grande Dame, Vintage 2002 (a stunning champagne), Rose 2004, and vintage 1980. The 1980 was an absolute delight displaying youthful colour and flavour. A real treat. The final champagne was a Demi-Sec with the dessert.