Reims ~ The city of Champagne ~

I have visited five domaine in Reims, a city in the Champagne-Ardenne region of France, lies 129 km (80 miles) east-northeast of Paris by wikipedia. The city is historical big city and famous for production district of champagne ( http://www.ville-reims.fr/index.php?id=721 ) ( http://www.reims-tourism.com/Default.aspx?base ). The most interesting thing in Reims was that I could see the various size of champagne companies from a giant corporation under LVMH group to a family winery such as Dom Perignon ( http://www.domperignon.com/ ) and Andre Beaufort, respectively.   I would not forget Mr. Beaufort's gentle and sturdy smile.  It is certain that he loves champagne. 

We could see that the height of grape trees in Reims are low in comparison with other places.  Then, there are many types of process and methods of making wines.  Those are all depend on wine companies and maker's strategies, and capitals.  It is interesting things that good tasting wines are not depends on capitals only.  Wines tend to be based on many factors such as human, climates, geologic conditions, facilities and others.  That is one of reasons which I love wines.  Although winemakers looks peaceful and calm, but probably, they know how to live with nature.  Therefore, they can take long term risks.  This is a first time for me to visit wineries  in Europe, so every things attracted me from making wines to aging.  I can not write here since I have learned too many things... Lastly, I shall show you five domaine which I visited:

The first one was Pierre Paillard ( http://www.champagne-pierre-paillard.fr/ ).  Their winery was located in Bouzy, Montage de Reims.  Current winemaker is still young, but their family have managed winery for a long time.  We tasted 5 kinds of champagne: 1) 2007 2) 2007 Blanc de Noir 3) 2007 Blanc de Blanc 4) 2002 5) Rose. 

The second one was Andre Beadfort.  They are also small boutique winery.  The winemaker provided us 10 kinds of champagne.  1) VINIFIE DANS NOS CAVES A POLISY 2006 BRUT 2) VINIFIE DANS NOS CAVES A POLISY 2005 BRUT 3) VINIFIE DANS NOS CAVES A POLISY 1996 BRUT 4) ELABORE PAR SAINT JEAN-BAPTISIE 2005 5) VINIFIE DANS NOS CAVES A POLISY 2002 6) ELABORE PAR SAINT JEAN-BAPTISIE 1996 7) Rose 8) VINIFIE DANS NOS CAVES A POLISY Demi Sec 1996 9) ELABORE PAR SAINT JEAN-BAPTISIE Demi Sec 1996 10) ELABORE PAR SAINT JEAN-BAPTISIE Rose Doux.  His every wine were kindness like his character.

The third one was Bollinger ( http://www.champagne-bollinger.com/ ) which has the largest vineyard in Champagne.  Their specific character is the usage of barrique at the first fermentation.  We tasted two kinds of champagne, Special cuvee: sepages are 60% of PN, 25% of CH and 15% of PM. and Rose.

The forth one was Veuve Clicquot ( http://www.veuve-clicquot.com/en ) which Madam Clicquat contributed to be a large company.  Wine goods such as bags and holders which they provide attract latest madams. i.e. their marketing by huge capital has probably operated successfully.  I suppose that it is the important role to increase wine lovers.  We could taste still wine, PN, PM and CH before sepages, and magnum bottle of the yellow label.  That was a great experience. 

The last one was Dom Perignon which sepages are disclosed by brewers.  We tasted 2002, and had a really precious time.  Their cave was extremely huge, and the vast number of champagne bottles are stocked.  The cave's wall made of lime stone which character stabilize humidity to keep wine in the good condition, and the cave is the largest size in the world, allover length is 28km!  We also visited Abbaye Saint-Pierre d'Hautvillers, the tomb of Dom Perigon.  On that day, the weather was fine, so we could enjoy a wonderful views!

Thank you for your reading to the end.