Wine Tasting Tour of Champagne

ThirtyFifty has teamed up with French wine tour specialists Grape Escapes to offer a weekend away in the Champagne region accompanied by Chris Scott, wine expert and founder of ThirtyFifty. The tour will include visits to Champagne houses and tastings led by Chris.

Book by

calling Grape Escape directly on 08456 430 860 / 01763 273373
or
e-mail info@grapeescapes.net

The trip is from Friday 30th October - Sunday 1st November 2009 with the following itinerary:

FRIDAY 30th October 2009

Travel to Dover in your car and take the ferry to Calais with P&O Ferries at a time of your choice then drive down to the city of Reims. Alternatively, travel by Eurostar from London to Paris and onward to Reims by TGV (subject to a travel supplement).

Check into your 3* hotel and freshen up before dinner.

You will have a 4 course gourmet dinner and tutored tasting of 4 wines at restaurant in the centre of Reims with your host, Chris Scott.

SATURDAY 31st October 2009

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel.

You will have a full day guided coach tour through the villages and vineyards of Champagne to include;

A visit to a highly regarded, family run Champagne House and see firsthand, the fascinating Champagne making process from vine to bottle. The tour will conclude with tastings of 4 or 5 of their excellent Champagnes.

You will then travel to one of the best grand cru classified villages where the group will visit a second Champagne House where, as well as a tour, you will enjoy a traditional 3 course Champenoise lunch as the guests of the Champagne House. This will be accompanied by a selection of their Champagnes.

A visit to the largest and most famous Champagne House, Moet and Chandon. The visit will include a tour through some of their 25 kilometres of cellars before enjoying tastings of several of their Champagnes

You will then be taken back to your hotel where you will have time to freshen up before dinner.

Your dinner will be a 3 course meal at a local restaurant and will include a tutored tasting of 3 different, single varietal Champagnes (one Chardonnay, one Pinot Noir and one Pinot Meunier).

SUNDAY 1st November 2009

After your busy day on Saturday, Sunday will be a relaxing day. You will have time for breakfast and to wander around the sights in the city centre or make use of the hotel facilities. Reims is home to no less than three UNESCO world heritage sites including one of the finest gothic cathedrals in northern Europe where 25 Kings of France were crowned. Next door is the Palace de Tau, where the parties were held following the coronations.

For guests whose taste for Champagne has not been sated on Saturday, there will be optional visit on foot to Champagne Mumm to explore their cellars and taste their vintage and non vintage Champagnes

You will then return to the UK via ferry or Eurostar.

Your Host – Chris Scott

Chris Scott is an award-winning wine communicator and presenter with a lively and energetic style and down-to-earth approach to wine. As well as running ThirtyFifty, Chris produces a weekly wine podcast, The UK Wine Show. Born and bred in New Zealand, Chris now heads up a team of 19 wine tasters across the UK and Australia. In 2008 ThirtyFifty was awarded the International Wine Challenge Wine Educator of the Year.

Hotel - Holiday Inn Garden Court

This modern hotel is conveniently located in the city centre, just 2 minutes walk from the central square with its, bars and restaurants. The breakfast room / restaurant situated at the top of the hotel provides excellent views across the city. The hotel offers modern air conditioned rooms with the usual amenities including cable television, direct-dial telephones and minibar.

Price

The price for this very special weekend is just £389 per person based on 2 people sharing a double or twin room. The price includes return Dover to Calais ferry crossings, 2 nights bed and breakfast at the Holiday Inn Garden Court hotel, a 4 course dinner and guided tasting on Friday night, a full days guided tour on the Saturday, visits to 3 Champagne Houses and the 3 course dinner with guided tasting on Saturday night.

Options:

Travel

If you prefer not to drive, why not take the Eurostar from St Pancras to Paris and TGV to Reims. Seats have been secured on the 11.32 London – Paris train which arrives at 14.47. The onward train is at 15.57 Paris to Reims arriving 16.42. Return travel on Sunday is at 17.15 Reims – Paris arriving at 18.00. Spend a little time in Paris before catching the 20.13 Paris – 21.41 London St P. The supplement for this method of travel is £50 per person.

Champagne Mumm visit
The additional visit on the Sunday can be included for a supplement of £14 per person.

Hotel Upgrade
If you would prefer a more luxurious hotel, we are able to offer accommodation in the Hotel de la Paix. This hotel is the best hotel in the city centre. Although officially only a 3* hotel, we feel that this hotel offers a very good standard of accommodation and facilities. The hotel opens onto the main square with its range of bars and restaurants, while the cathedral and Palace de Tau are less than 5 minutes walk. With 177 rooms the hotel has the size to offer a wide range of amenities including a small indoor pool, sauna and jacuzzi. The rooms are all air-conditioned and feature cable television, direct-dial telephones and minibars. In addition to the classic wood panelled brasserie, the hotel has a cocktail bar, large breakfast room and comfortable reception area complete with leather sofas, wireless internet access and a range of newspapers. Our guests will be accommodated in the larger, Privilege rooms and the supplement for upgrading to this accommodation is £60 per person.

Availability, Bookings & Further Information
All tours are subject to availability when booking. If you wish to check availability & book your Champagne weekend, or if you would like any further information, please call 08456 430 860 or e-mail
info@grapeescapes.net

Terms & Conditions

All tours are booked direct with Grape Escapes under their standard terms & conditions.