A GRAPE TRADITION | Premier French Champagne House Veuve Clicquot’s Intoxicating Tour by Terence Loose
For any true lover of the grape, a “Grande Dame” tour of the Veuve Clicquot chalk cellars is a luxury experience not to be missed while in France. Still headquartered in Reims, France, the Veuve Clicquot label has been synonymous with tradition and indulgence since Philippe Clicquot founded the company in 1772 and producing a premium champagne that played a significant role in establishing champagne as a popular drink among Europe’s haute bourgeoisie and nobility.
Today, the full weight and tradition of the grape is displayed in their fine wines and premium champagne, and there is no better luxury tour for a wine connoisseur than a guided trip through one of their cellars, housed in the world-famous chalk tunnels which stretch over 24 kilometers and more than 60 feet below the lauded Champagne soil. Veuve Clicquot acquired the tunnels in 1910, however they have been used for wine aging since Roman times and offer all the mystique and magic that ancient world conjures. Also not to be missed is the oldest unopened bottle of Veuve Clicquot, a 1893 bottle in mint condition discovered in 2008 inside a sideboard in Torosay Castle, Isle of Mull, Scotland. It is now on display at the Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin visitor center and regarded as priceless. In short, the hour-and-a-half Grande Dame tour, which includes not only a venture into the cellars but a tasting of the Grande Dame 1998, is well worth the 25 Euros entry fee.
Enjoy a Champagne Excursion at Hostellerie La Briqueterie
Built on the site of a former brick factory, thus its name, this hotel has undergone major renovations started in 2004 and finished this past winter to restore it to its former beauty. With its proximity to Reims, the capital of the Champagne region and only 90 minutes from Paris, La Briqueterie is in an exceptional setting of vineyards and beautifully landscaped gardens. Because of its perfect location in Epernay, where all the French champagne is produced, this property attracts knowledgeable travelers and wine connoisseurs. The completely redesigned gardens are an invitation to walk along its paths lined with seasonal flowers such as peonies, tulips and a 1300 sqft patch of roses.
Each room and suite with its own elegant style and carefully chosen color scheme offers a breathtaking view of the gardens and vineyards. All marble bathrooms have luxurious amenities from Carita, the famous French cosmetics line.
The Michelin star restaurant, Le Jardin des Senteurs, over which Chef Gilles Goess presides, is the crown jewel of this property. Combining traditional cuisine, herbs from the garden and regional Champagne products, the cuisine is celebration for the senses. Bathed in natural light and decorated in a traditional style, it has an attractive fireplace and combines cherry wood paneling with furnishing in amazing red and yellow fabrics to make this room a very cheerful and elegant setting to enjoy a delicious meal. An additional feature in the restaurant are the large bow windows overlooking the beautiful garden and its fountains.
In partnership with Carita and Decléor cosmetic brands, the Bulles de Détente Spa, newly opened, is unique in the Champagne area and combines very professional staff with expertise in wellness and relaxation. The spa opens up into a patio with sauna and hammam and boasts an indoor heated pool and a Jacuzzi with view on the vineyards.
Recreational facilities include visits to famous champagne cellars and wine tasting houses, and hot air balloon trips over the beautiful countryside. For more information BOOKTRAVEL@HAUTEOC.com or call 949.638.2228.
