Champlis revisited

Piet's wine and dine society 'Het Derde Glas' decided that their cellars were getting low on Champagne, and an emergency trip was planned to stock up. We managed to align that with a planned holiday to our house in France, and all logistics were matched accordingly.

Piet, Mary and Pippin drove out to the Champagne on Thursday morning, ending up in the village of Cramant in the early afternoon. We promised Pippin a nice walk, but this turned out to be a very muddy affair in the woods above Cramant, with many trails flooded, and mud to well above our ankles. Pippin loved it! When we returned to the village the second (electric) car had arrived as well, and we went to Mallol for a first tasting. Here we selected the bubbles for the upcoming wedding in France (more later!). We drove back to Epernay, where we had a nice meal at L'Oben to wrap up the day.

The next morning we returned south to Mesnil sur Oger, where we stopped at the cooperation. This felt like an admin office, and lacked some character; however the Champagne was very pleasant, and also suitable for the wedding! Just around the corner we met with Francois Girard, who told us with great enthusiasm about his wines, the merger with the vineyards of his wife's family, and the transfer of the whole business to his son. As he spoke very fast it took some time to figure out that he had stopped producing, and was selling off his remaining stock as 'Francois Girard', and his son had continued with the more exclusive (and expensive) 'Girard-Bonnet' brand. 

Another 2 hour drive took us to Chablis were we tasted at Gautheron, and old favourite and 'valuer sur' Brocard. As we finished early there was time for a nice hike around the Chablis Grand Cru vineyards as well. We had dinner at Les Trois Bourgeons, where we were first send away because we arrived 3 minutes early, but had a nice meal, despite the lack of French or English of the Japanese hosts.

The following day we had an early rise, and drove further south towards our house, and holidays!

At the end of the hike in Cramant

Tasting at Mallol, in Cramant

Oscar likes the Champagne from Mallol

Explanation in the cellar of Francois Girard

Wrapping up the tasting at Girard-Bonnet

The selection at Gautheron, in Chablis

Brocard, in Chablis, one of the group's favourites

Looking out over the Grand Cru vineyards of Chablis

Mary and Sybren checking one of the Grand Cru info boards 

Closing out the trip at Les Trois Bourgeons