Round The World and other travels
A frequent flyer's collection of trip diaries
This is: Spring Fever 2008
Reims and Bouzy
Today was the only full day of the Champagne Do, but the official events didn't start until after lunch. After what by my standards was a long lie-in - it was a late night, again by my standards, the previous evening - I had a light breakfast in the hotel's 7th floor restaurant. There was then time available to take a better look around Reims. I decided to be independent about this, because I knew that I wanted to include the St Rémy basilica, and it's quite a hike there and back. I started off by returning to the cathedral, enjoying the external views with the sun at a different angle and taking the opportunity to visit the interior as well. Then I made that longish walk to the Basilique St Rémy which, like the cathedral, is a listed World Heritage Site.
Soon it was time for the group to gather together again and take our hired coach out to Bouzy. M. Paillard, whom I'd met the previous day, joined us for an initial visit to the viewpoint overlooking his vineyards and the town of Bouzy. It was a nice spot, but very chilly indeed in the strong breeze that was blowing. Next, the bus took us to the main Paillard premises, where the owner gave us a tour of the cellars prior to a tasting session. The latter, very interestingly, included the opportunity to sample the wine that is used to form the Champagne. It was a most enjoyable afternoon and I felt a little sorry that my own travel arrangements effectively precluded me from buying any of the product to take home. The prices were most attractive!
After a rest, shower and change of clothes, it was
time to head out for the second Do dinner, pitched just a little
lower on the culinary scale than the first one but nevertheless, by
any reasonable standards, a very nice meal indeed. We had a little
quiz about Champagne prior to dessert - I didn't do too well
- and, once the clocks had struck
midnight, there was a birthday presentation to Jenbel. I felt
very tired as I made my way back to the hotel, but also happy that
the Do was going superbly well.
Reims Cathedral
Basilique St Rémy
Pierre Paillard Champagne House
Dinner
