Champagne - Day 2

Post for 10/20, Monday

Everyone was feeling better by Monday morning.  Bonnie and Sharon got cafes and pastries while Steve got the rental car.  Driving the Route de la Champagne was an experience!  We missed a turn at the beginning, but were able to pick up the trail in time to enjoy a tasting at Champagne Herbert Beaufort in Bouzy.  We purchased a half bottle for ”le picnic” and the proprietor made sure we had a chilled one.  After that, it was on to Ay, where we purchased sandwiches from a boulangerie for “le picnic”.  Next stop was Hautevillers.  It was a beautiful picnic spot with a view.  The vineyards were gorgeous!  After  lunch, we had a second tasting at Champagne G. Tribaut.  That was a small production house run by a brother/sister team, but they had a great cuvee.  Unfortunately, they do not export to the US.  Then it was back to Reims, via Epernay (Moet & Chandon was closed, but I knew that).

Last stop on the Champagne tour was Taittinger.  It was a big cellar that did not disappoint.  I was glad that Steve and I were feeling better since we had missed Mumm the day before.  One thing that struck Sharon was how tour guides talked about the citizens of Reims taking refuge in the cellars during the wars.

Our last night supper was at L’Apostrophe.  We finally found the tender French beef! Cooked to perfection.  It was a great gathering place for locals.  The family dining next to us had a daughter with her dog on her lap.  The family all said bonsoir to us as they left.

Great meal for the last night in France.

This was a little sitting area just outside our rooms.

These were shots looking from our windows.

Steve and Sharon working as a team to get us to the champagne area.

A little country side.

The first village for our first tasting.

The Champagne Herbert Beaufort.

On to the next stop for lunch.  The Beaufort was closing down for lunch so it made sense for us to do the same.

We had bought a small bottle of champagne at Beaufort and some sandwiches from a boulangerie.  This was spot overlooking the valley.

After lunch we went back into the village.  Local cat that caught Sharon's eye.

We parked and took a walk through the streets to our next stop, Champagne G. Tribaut.

We tried 3 different types.  There was definitely a difference between them.  All were very unique and good.  

After the tasting, it was back to the car.

We decided it was time to drive back to Reims for one last tasting and to return the car.  Some sights as we navigate our way back.

to Taittinger.

Storage of aging bottles.

These areas stored lots of bottles.  The one below has over 77,000 bottles in it.  All placed by hand.

One of the 3 wooden doors that were saved from the original abby that was above.

Entrance to the tasting room.

This foosball table was meant to represent the fact that Taittinger was the official champagne for the FIFA World Cup.

Some art outside.  What's up?

Our dinner place, L'Apostrophe.

Bonnie's salad.

Ah, finally a nice tender piece of beef.

Dessert came with 5 sweets and some espresso.

So ends our last day.  Today we only walked about 3.6 miles.  One of our shorter days.