FrogAPC, Sherlock's, Cook's Warehouse Wine Tour 2011 - Day 1

Once again, Don Hackett, my colleague, co-tour leader and friend, and I are back in France leading a tour in Champagne and Burgundy, and we're off to an excellent start!

We began tasting at 10:20 this morning, at Pierre Gimmonet & Fils Champagne in Cuis, just outside of Epernay.  We tasted all of their current offerings - 6 different bottles, all made from Chardonnay grapes.  My favorites were the 2nd (2006 Gastronome) and 5th (2005 Champagne 'Special Club' made from old vines), but all of them were very good!

Champagne glass on the balcony overlooking the vineyards of Pierre Gimmonet & Fils

Our second stop was Champagne Gaston Chiquet, where Nicolas Chiquet (the 8th generation of Chiquets to work the vineyards) took us on a very detailed tour of the champagne-making process.  Not only was he very informative, he also shared his belief that the most important part of making an excellent champagne is the tasting.  So, naturally, we finished in their tasting room where we sampled three bottles of their offerings.

Lunch came next, thankfully!  On recommendation, we chose Bistrot le 7, which is the second restaurant of Patrick Michelon, chef of the one star Michelin restaurant, Les Berceaux in Epernay.  It was an excellent suggestion - lunch was delicious without being too overdone.  Don chose a wonderful bottle of rosé saigné champagne to accompany the meal.

Champagne cork art from Bistro le 7

After lunch, everyone was ready for a stroll down the Avenue de Champagne in Epernay, past Moët et Chandon, Perrier Jouet and many more.  Amidst the large and well-known champagne houses, I saw this quaint and welcoming house that I think would be perfect and given that the street number is my birthday, it was meant for me!

Our last stop of the day was a bit of a pilgrimage to the man himself, Dom Pérignon.  We stopped by the church in Hautvilliers where he is buried just in front of the altar.

Statue of Dom Pérignon in front of Moët & Chandon on the Avenue de Champagne in Epernay

Stay tuned for more tastings tomorrow!