JM and myself, both en famille, did the Champers run this weekend and it was a grand affair!
We met at Dover at the crack of Dawn ( lovely girl, Dawn) and took the 6 am ferry. landed and two and half ours later we were in the heart of the Champagne region, Ardennes.
After a reccy of a few of the grand houses we went for a great Lunch ( Mussells were deffo the order of the day. Then did a guided tour of the Mumm and Piper Hiedsick Caves in the afternoon. Both different but both good. Mumm was all about how to make it and Piper was all about, well, Piper really!
Dinner in the Hotel down in D'Izy followed a quick Reccy of Epernay with the daughters (ladies by this time needed a rest and recoup before dinner). Dinner was great and the whole overnight experience was extremly well priced.
Sunday saw the breakfast of champions followed by a tour of the Cramant village, home to about 60 Champers houses. We only took in two but, my goodness, you seriously want to get your laughing gear around the 1998 millisime from Jumel. It's a knockout and priced to put tesco out of business despite the review in the times.
Then onto the Mercier House where we had our final tour. This was the buisness. Lifts and Trains with a tour guide to talk us through the founders lifes work. a great experience. so great that I came back with 30 bottles and My girlfirend had another 20. JM managed a fair amount to but one thing is certain: There WILL be another trip. Probably in the Spring/Easter time....
If you have any inclination to experience France/Champagne/Lexus at their finest then this a great way to do it. Be there or be missed.
Loz
Ps. A great big thank you to JM and Val and Victoria who made the trip a pleasure and kept me from getting lost with there Sat Nav. Kept Sara from getting bored with an in-car DVD, and kept Caroline sober.....NOT!! but two out of three is good enough for me.
pps. Got home at 9.52pm, how about you?
