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Published: July 30th 2009
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Today was the opportunity to answer one of the biggest mysteries in Australian social culture - the “t” in “Moet” CAN be heard.
There, my work is done.
The day was more fulfilling than just this breakthrough in pronunciation. The Champagne region is to the north east of Paris on the border with Belgium and perhaps one of the most beautiful regions of the country.
After a two hour drive our first stop was in Reimes, the centre of the champagne region. The weather, soil and technique are the things that make the sparkling wine from this region distinctive. I’ve heard the soil contains chalk and this assists growing. It turns out that as soon as you scratch through the top 30 centimetres of top soil it’s all white, straight chalk.
Reimes is the home of the cellars of GM Mumm champagne makers. The name itself doesn’t mean a lot but this is the name behind the Cordon Rouge which provides the magnums for F1 drivers to spray over adorning fans at presentation ceremonies.
After a tour through the cellars (caves) carved out in the chalk where the temperature is a constant 12 degrees year round
it was down to the serious business of champagne tasting. There’s dry, extra dry and sweet and it all tastes magnificent. We’ve bought some for a special occasion and I’ve decided that staying in Paris is a special occasion, this bottle won’t make it home.
The Reimes Cathedral is also significant to the French as it is the location where all the Kings of France were crowned. The original cathedral of the 17th century was bombed during World War 1 and has been rebuilt, miraculously some of the original stained glass windows were saved.
My experience today helped reinforce a contradiction in the French identity I’ve observed since arriving here. The French are absolutely steadfast in their commitment to the Republic, “Liberty, Egality, Fraternity” but they are also immensely proud of France’s regal history and appear to be constantly searching to piece together and preserve this history. Napoleon Bonaparte himself an ardent Patriot took on a regal status declaring himself ‘Emperor of France’.
After lunch was the crown in the champagne jewel with a visit to Epernay, the home of Dom Perignon, the Benedictine Monk accredited with first making champagne in the early 17th century and Moet
Reims alter
Original stained glass and the coronation alter for French Kings & Chandon arguably the best known champagne maker.
The cellar tour of Moet & Chandon was very enlightening, turns out we were walking in the footsteps of Napoleon Bonaparte who was a big fan of the sparkling drop. After touring the 28 km of caves carved in the chalk (ok we didn’t cover all of them but I am suspicious we were lead in circles for a while) it was time for the all important tasting - this drop is also magnificent.
Tomorrow is our last full day in Paris and we will do our best to make the most of it.
Au revoir
Al and Tess
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Marina
non-member comment
awsome!
Hi you guys - looks like your really settled into the travelling experience. Keep the updates happening. love marina