Day 3 Monday June 4, Reims: Veuve Clicquot

We checked out of our Paris hotel at 8.30 and caught our tour bus to Reims. The 2 hour journey provides everyone with another view of Paris as we drive along the Seine river on our way out of Paris. Soon we are arriving at Veuve Clicquot where we are greeted by Louise Vicq who is in charge of reception at VC. We then move on to the winery where we meet chief oenologist Philippe Thieffry.

Philippe has prepared a very educational tasting for us as we look at the 3 components of the Veuve Clicquot non vintage. We taste the Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay as still wines before tasting a blend of the 3 components. Finally we taste the finished product from a magnum. Fantastic!!

After our tasting we catch the bus to the Manoir de Verzy which is a lovely house Veuve Clicquot own in the village of Verzy. We are joined by Louise and Philippe for a fabulous lunch at the Manoir. During lunch we tried the 2004 La Grande Dame, Vintage 2004, Vintage Rose 2004, Vintage Rose 1985 and Veuve Clicquot Demi Sec. The food was fantastic and the wines were sensational.

After lunch we returned to Reims where Louise took us on a tour of the historic Veuve Clicquot cellars. This was rounded out with a glass of the 1998 La Grande Dame. What a day!!

 

 

 

Top. Tasting with chief oenologist Philippe Thieffry and below our lunch at the Manoir de Verzy.