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| How's this for a start? |
This was one of the last European hurrahs spent with some fantastic friends last spring. We tried to cram in as many last hurrahs, as one can never have too many. I can't remember the last time I laughed so hard. I see London, I see France, I see.... yeap, it was that kind of weekend.
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| The outside of the apartment above a former bank runs the length of a block!! |
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| Look waaaay up! |
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| Let them eat brioche! The cameral couldn't get all of the balconies in the shot. |
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| I love you, Michelle. You done good! |
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| Gee, your hair smells terrific. |
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| Yes, those are the ladies at the END of the corridor. I tell ya, I could have done wind sprints in this apartment!! |
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| Hey, lets play telephone or go bowling! |
Our first Champagne house tour was the UNESCO Heritage cellars of Taittinger - early in the morning. That should have been the first tip off.... first thing in the morning...
Who says your day has to start with coffee?
This was my second visit to Taittinger's cellars, on the insistence of Clovis Taittinger! I felt a little abashed about going the second time, Delisa as my witness, he insisted we visit and bring our friends (who also happen to work for the Duty Free shop - so it was kinda like mixing business, education and pleasure...). We thoroughly enjoyed our private tour and tasting. I was so grateful for this lovely opportunity and to be able to share it with some wonderful friends.
A little sidebar.... my experience in France has been one of such generous hospitality - ALL the time. We have been welcomed countless times by our French friends, Sylvie and Jose, Frederic and Marie-Ange and their extended families. As well, acquaintances have become friends and invited us into their homes along the way too. Even in Paris, I never got the hein,hein, hein, blow-off by haughty waiters.
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| The chalk cellars of Champagne |
The chalk cellars of Champagne date further back than Roman times. However, it is the Romans who perfected the extraction of this stone. The excavation hole on the top would have been only a metre or so square digging down 10, 20 metres and expanding outwards. This left huge cavern-like square-shaped hollow pyramids. These chalk pits, called crayeres, are now interconnected with more modern tunnels, and are used by the Champagne houses. Only a few of the Champagne houses have the crayeres which are Taittinger, Pommery, Veuve Clicquot, Ruinart, Charles Heidsieck and G.H. Martel. The constant temperature of 11-12C and humidity up to 90% make them perfect cellaring conditions. Cool fact - the cellars and tunnels were used as refuge during the wars, housing working villages with bakeries, schools and sleeping facilities. You can see "graffiti" carved into the soft stone at various points.
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| This is Paul being a bottle-head. |
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| The pupitres where each bottle gets a little turn to help move the dead yeast cells into the neck of the bottle |
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| 99 bottle of beer on the wall... 99955 bottles of Champs on the wall |
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| Many many bottles in the cellar! |
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| The wall of fame! My friend Daniel Speck's company plaque, as they import Taittinger into Ontario |
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| Oh, yeah we're ready... |
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| What? You're not going to let me taste any of this? You're kidding right? |
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| Art is everywhere - even the condensation in the glass. |
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| Our new sommelier friend, Daniel, from Dubai |
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| And my old friend Kirky |
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| OK, so you were just fooling earlier. We're soooo happy you let us taste these bubbles. |
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| Absolutely privileged! |
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| Are we posing for the Sears catalogue? |
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| No, you can't take it home. Put it down Kirky! |
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| But you can take these home! WOW!!! |
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OMG, loot bags!!
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| Grown up friendship bracelets. |
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| Beautiful rolling landscape |
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| Yikes! I don't have to clean that. |
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| Hmm, let me think about this one |
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| The pot of gold at the end of the rainbow - or bottle neck |
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| Its mine, all mine! |
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| No, its mine, all mine. |
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| The famous French roses with incredible perfume |
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| Speaking of roses - I could get used to looking through these rose coloured glasses |
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| Why am I holding an imaginary empty glass? |
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| Chin-chin. Yep, my chin is up |
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| After a hard day of tasting, what better than celebrating with a magnum of Champagne |
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| Don't shake it! Its not the Grand Prix! |
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| Phew! Good thing Michelle was supervising. Top them up Kirky. |
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| Here he is... Mr. Don Matchy-Matchy. He ate only pink food and drank pink Champs |
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| These happened to be the best macarons I have EVER had....rose and raspberry. One of those food memories that will be lasered into my head. If I'm on death-row, I want one of these for my last meal. |
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| Oh yeah, there goes Don again, not just matching his dessert, but coordinating with Lois... |
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| Didn't we already sing 99 bottles of Champs on the wall... 99... |
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| And how do I get my shoes in the picture? |
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| Look, Bev's shoes make another appearance! |
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| Loving every moment. Actually, it looks like I'm loving it even more. And this was before we started playing Cards Against Humanity.... |
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| The Bobbsey Twin pyjama party |
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| Must sleep...no pjs required. Must get an early start again tomorrow... |
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| Who's not having fun? |
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| Oh, the cheese, the wine, the macarons..... |
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| How are we getting all these boxes home? |
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| You guessed it - a lovely weekend filled with memories. |
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