Who was in the champagne region

[clairey]

We have just come back from a lovely weekend at a Chataeu in France and did a few "tastings" around the champagne houses. We were stood outside Mercier in Epernay on Saturday afternoon and about 12 TVR's all went past in a different assortment of types and colours. Was lovely to see. was it an organised trip from on PH? We could have gone in the Griff otherwise

[b2tus]

Which chateaux did you stay at and which was the best champagne house you visited?.
Off to the Epernay area in October with some American friends. Any recomendations?

[Touching Cloth]

Suspect that you stumbled across Surrey Tvrcc's "Le Surrey Run 2006".

Edited by Touching Cloth on Monday 4th September 13:39

[clairey]

We stayed at Chateau Du Fere. It was FANTASITC. Very pricey, £28 for a starter, £45 a main course but well worth it www.ila-chateau.com/fere/
Went to Moet, Mercier and Pommery and pommery was the best. Really good tour of the caves and we must have liked the champagne as we came back with 24 botlles of assorted varieties.
Epernay itself is a lovely little town and would go back tomorrow.

[59fan]

If you want somewhere a lot cheaper, We stay in an old hunting lodge in Avize, just outside Epernay. No one to disturb, local champagne at 10 euros a bottle stacked up in the fridge, loads of lovely French food from the markets and job done.
We go every year......you can call me a lush if you like

Ian

[b2tus]

Clare
We live in Kent and my wife drives a yellow/black Mini Cooper also
Stayed at Chateau du Fere a couple of years ago - great place and superb wine cellar
Thought we would go back to the Chateau d'Etoge again but always on the look-out for new places.
Reckon we will follow your advice on the champagne house.
One downside however for the trip - cannot squeeze wife and 2 Americans into the Tuscan or their luggage into the Mini. So it is the boring old Audi diesel estate

[59fan]

Mumm is well worth a visit (Reims) as is Lanson (Reims again), but you need to book this before you go, this is a proper tour of the actual Champagne making process as it happens, unlike the usual, 'here are some riddling racks' tour you get in most of the houses.
One simple rule...always go for the deluxe tours with multiple tastings
As for Epernay, Moet is a must if its your first time, and Castellane is pretty good as well.

Ian

[b2tus]

Ian
Thanks for your input - looks like a good time awaits.

[Steve_T]

Yep that was the Surrey Region's annual outing. We're typically based around Epernay area, staying in the surrounding villages. Nice to be spotted I can also report on a quiet day it's apparently possible to hear the Cerb from about 1km away.

Steve.

Edited by Steve_T on Tuesday 5th September 14:15

[clairey]

b2tus said:

Clare
We live in Kent and my wife drives a yellow/black Mini Cooper also

I will keep my eye out for your wife in her car. I know ZERO people in Kent (other than my fella and his parents) as only just moved down 8 weeks ago, so if you fancy seeing the two mini's together for a beer, give me a shout.

[b2tus]

Welcome to the Garden of England. Originally, I am from Northampton but lived in Nottingham for a couple of years so used to know West Bridgford well - and supported Forest through thick and thin - mostly thin of late!
Whereabouts in Kent are you? We live in the middle of nowhere - towards Tenterden area.

[clairey]

No idea where Tenterden is, I imagine the other will (mel, if you know him?) i currently live in Northfleet with a hopefully iminent move to Aylesford.
I know West Bridgeford well, got some good curry housees down there. I lived nearer Mansfield, although please don't getthe impression I am a Mansfield Lass!

[ncs]

Half the local TVR owners seem to have minis as their other car - I can think of several off the top of my head. (& theres not a lot on top of my head )

Come along to see us any time you like, you'll never be short of company in this part of the world

Nick

[billy no brakes]

If you are going to Reims and would like to stay in the town centre I would recommend the hotel Bristol it is on the main street and there is an underground car park.The restuarant is really good and they have live music plus it is reasonable rates, I would book up early though. Verve clicqout is the best champagne tour again you need to book up in advance ( always booked when we have been ). piper hiedsieck is good you get a trip around the tunnels in a small trian plus it is walking distance from the town centre so you can drink lots of bubbly.

you must go the the old circiut de Gueux just outside Riems everybody has there picture done there.

Bill

[MRS_T]

Yep, that was us lot again on Le Surrey Run 4 :0) The Villa Eugene is a new hotel in Epernay, well worth a look. The Ibis is central with an underground carpark. Give the Best Western a miss. The tourist information place opposite Moet had loads of suggestions of places to stay and visit, there is so much choice. As for visiting Champagne Houses in Epernay, Mercier is slick, Moet is information packed, Nicolas Feuillatte is amazing visually and the cuvees on offer are superb, Castellane is industrial and all offer tastings. To really get the true Epernay experience, venture out into the surrounding vine yards/villages and meet the smaller Champagne House Owners who are only too happy to share with you their Champagnes. Michel Gonet in Avize is fantastic but there are so many to choose from.

Only another 358 days until the big one, LSR5 Diamonds are Forever Tour 2007.


Karen

Edited by MRS_T on Wednesday 6th September 18:25

[Far Eastender]

B2Tus, we're almsot nieghbours, I have a house in Rolvenden Layne.

Off to Switzerland and Germany next week in the Cerb, back via France and will stay in Epernay for a couple of days.

[b2tus]

Sorry - been off the radar a bit in Italy on business.
Rolvenden Layne eh - I'm in Woodchurch. Haven't seen the blue Cerbie around Tenterden area?
Clare - just moving to Aylesford? Now thats starting to get a bit closer to the real countryside!! Recall you have a Mini Cooper - there's a half decent Mini dealer in Aylesford called Vines. Our experience with them is quite good although little seems to go wrong with our yellow peril.

[driving Advs]

Shame you weren't around on Wednesday as we went through the region as part of the route to the TVR Power Swiss Alps tour - we had 19 TVRs, 2 Aston Martins, 1 Lambo, a Corvette C5 and an M3.

Have loaded a photo at the Reims GP pits on route to the Champagne region.

It was an incredible site!

[woody-oTT]

that looks quite familiar!!

[rpa.janwell]

Nice shot: when we stopped at Riems in May this year on the way to the 'Ring there were folk there painting up and refurbishing the pits - but doesn't look as though they made much progress beyond when we were there, other than the tower.
Quite a place: we didn't even notice when Alan quietly sidled off in his T350, and then had a sudden wake up call when he shot past at 130!!!!
That started us all off - great fun on a beautiful clear road!! Tuscans, Sagaris, Chims, 400SE, all going for it.
There is quite an atmoshphere there, isn't there?