Think back to the most indulgent escape; the time when you didn’t have to lift a finger to organise an unforgettable adventure (having been to a fabulous party the night before this was a little harder than it sounds…). This is the service that this tour provides. From the first email communication to the moment that we were collected punctually from our Parisian accommodation by our dashing guide – was it the accent? – in his Mercedes, everything was on cue.
The one day luxury tour to Champagne and Epernay (did two place names ever conjure up so much happiness??) was perfect for our small group of six who quickly built a rapport – thanks to our guide making everyone feel special and at ease so quickly. The scenic drive was very comfortable, which was a blessing to those of us who had stayed out a little too late the night before. So comfortable in fact, that my travelling companion managed to miss the rolling countryside, rustic cottages and colourful flowers as he slept off the previous night’s over-indulgence.
Our first stop was the world-famous Moet & Chandon where our English-speaking guide very patiently corrected our pronunciation and successfully passed on his incredible wealth of knowledge to even the most sleep-deprived of us. This was assisted by a video presentation by the ever-gorgeous Scarlett Johansson, a walk through Europe’s largest natural cellar and the opportunity to partake in some exquisite champagne tasting.
Feeling a little light headed our next stop was the beautiful Canard-Duchene, which could easily have passed as Moet & Chandon’s little sister, such was the quality of champagne and the impressiveness of the tour. More purchases were made before a delicious lunch was served and we could soak up the picture-perfect environment. Of course when in Rome (or Champagne!) we had to get back into the spirit of things so we enjoyed a few glasses of wine over lunch at Cafe d’Hautvillers, a local favourite in the tiny picturesque town that was once home to Dom Perignon.
Fully rested now and on to the next stop on this unique wine tour to Nicolas Maillart, a privately owned winery where we were able to taste the champagne at every step of the process right through to the bottling. A truly unforgettable experience.
Unfortunately all good things must come to an end – including luxury wine tours apparently. However, on the journey back our private wine guide provided some excellent recommendations for evening restaurants and jazz clubs. Never one to reject a good tip we entered the Parisian night with full stomachs, happy hearts, fond memories and new lifelong friends.
