"Why do I drink Champagne for breakfast? Doesn't everyone?"
Noel Coward
Every day should start with a glass (or two) of champagne.
How do I know this? Because this is how we started our last day in Reims and it was awesome.
(I'm American so I'm allowed to use that word. Often.)
We had tried to visit the the House of G.H. Mumm when we arrived on Saturday evening,
but they were all booked up. So we made reservations for Monday morning at 9:30.
Now with the time difference it was 8:30am back in the UK and
it was the weekend that the clocks changed, so our body clocks were set at 7:30am.
I've mentioned that the four of us are champagne troopers (well, except Matt as he was the DD for the weekend) so the early call was clearly not a problem.
It was the perfect way to start the day and added a giggly, golden tint to our last day.
G.H. Mumm was founded in 1827 by a family of German winemakers from the Rhine Valley and is now owned by Pernod Ricard. This champagne is used to celebrate momentous sporting events all over the world including Formula 1 Racing. The motto of the house has always been "only the best."
By this time the caves were familiar and we'd heard all about the process of making champagne. But, I'm glad we visited. It was a smaller group (good morning) and our English Speaking tour guide did a great job. We learned a little more about the various grapes that are used. And they also have many examples of tools and techniques that were used in the past. I think the tour was about €24 and included two glasses of champagne.
And then to our favorite part of the tours... the tasting!!!
Mumm was my favorite champagne of the four houses that we toured,
with Moet & Chandon a very close second.
It was light and smooth and bubbly and nummy!
(How do you like the use of my descriptive words there? I should write for a wine magazine, yes?)
We bought a bottle of Brut that is sitting in my fridge calling out to me.
We must find some excuse to break it out. I think "It's Wednesday" is good enough, don't you?
We must find some excuse to break it out. I think "It's Wednesday" is good enough, don't you?
"One holds a bottle of red wine by the neck, a woman by the waist,
and a bottle of Champagne by the derriere."
And that's the end of our tour of the Champagne district of France.
It was such a fantastic weekend! I would highly recommend it.
Quick tips:
Do your research. This one needs to be preplanned.
Visit both the larger and the smaller houses.
Pre-book your champagne house visits. It's rare to just be able to walk in and get a tour.
Each tour is about two hours so leave yourself plenty of time.
Three a day is a good number, morning, afternoon & early evening.
The houses are all spread out, so you will need a car unless you book a bus tour.
Drink responsibly and have a designated driver.
Lastly, take some wonderful friends along with you!
It will make all the difference in the world!
One last thing, before we're done.
Be sure to ask your bartender at the hotel bar to saber a champagne bottle for you.
Best party trick ever!
(I would show you the video but all you can hear is my tipsy giggle the lighting is bad.)
And he didn't even need a fancy saber and gloves like in the photo above.
He just used the rim of a metal cocktail shaker.
Here's how to do it if you're interested.
Now all of you should go celebrate Wednesday with a bottle of champagne!
8:45 in the Am here and I am ready for glass of bubbly. Hmmm..Maybe Hubby and I will celebrate "Thursday" this evening instead. Champagne is always more fun when you have someone to share it with!!
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