Without sounding like a gameshow commentator … no visit to France would be complete without a visit to the Pommery in Reims pronounced “Rance”. This site has been making Champagne since the 1800’s, Built by French and Belgian miners the estate runs for approximately 180 km.
There are two main regions that produce Champagne (pronounced Champang-ya) one is Reims and the other is Epernay, The owner was a lady Louise Pommery aged only 39 who took over the running of business after her husband died, throughout the tour there are various murals and painting of her which gives her this sense of being a greek deity.
As a side note and in order to bridge and build on International relations I ordered a coffee in Franglish (this made up work was created by my wife) today I ordered a coffee in french and he asked me questions in english .. slightly confusing but i feel better for making the effort!
As you drive in the half a mile long drive is scattered with Modern art that has been crafted by up and coming young artists. And one you enter the huge reception it feels a little like walking into Willy Wonkers factory… only with less musical numbers.
The exterior to the building is an architectural marvel in itself and at certain points i found myself wondering just how much money was being made by the champagne business during our current economical downturn.
on entering the building you are surround by upside down life size elephants giant wooden barrels and a wooden cabin that rains on the inside and as you being the tour you descend down weighty limestone stairs with dim light … a little fact i learned was that as the tunnels are situated under ground at each part of the cellar they can maintain a perfect 10 degree temperature which is ideal for ageing the fizz.
The fact that this place combines modern art along with champagne gives it a completely different feel and its entirely unique.
The cellar itself stretches for what seems like forever with cavernous ceilings along with tunnels that run off which makes you feel like you working with the french resistance each off shoot tunnel holds thousands of bottles and given a name
When the tour ended we gathered in our groups and there was a ceremony where the staff sliced the tops of the bottles off with swords after being sufficiently woo’d we sat down for a truly delicious 3 course meals which would be complete without glass after glass of top notch champagne which complemented the food brilliantly.
All in all its hard to try and ad anymore information in without making this post longer than it already is, The Pommery is worth a couple of hours of your time as it is contemporary but still rammed full of history so its definitely not something you will see again.
Angry Man with Camera 