R28J Weekend of the Year (WOTY)
We all love a glass of fizz and, with the pre-Christmas champagne stock looking a little threadbare, where better to re-stock than in France’s world-famous Champagne region. This autumn Arblaster & Clarke are organising a Festival of Champagne in the company of the knowledgeable and entertaining presenter, author and wine critic Oz Clarke.
We are in preliminary discussion with Arblaster & Clarke to join this tour. The tour would include a private tasting tutorial with Oz (himself a former World Wine Tasting Champion); a special dinner held in the magnificent vaulted crypt of the medieval Palais du Tau, where we would enjoy an array of France’s finest wines and Champagnes personally selected by Oz; an afternoon at the A&C Champagne Festival to enjoy some of the best food and wine that the region has to offer; and a behind-the-scenes tour of one the Champagne region’s top vineyards.
In order to progress this event, I do need an early indication of how many people would potentially be interested to participate in this Champagne weekend.
The Condor Ferry and one night at a hotel in St. Malo or Dinan (see the itinerary below) would be arranged and paid for by you separately. The cost of the tour, local transportation (we will NOT be driving our cars in Reims!) and two nights at a hotel in Reims, will be £769 per person. However, following some discussion with A&C, we have negotiated the following terms: if 10 or more people sign up the price will drop to £689 pp, or if 5 to 10 people sign up then the price will be £730.55. A&C will require an upfront deposit of £100 to secure a reservation. To pay the deposit and secure a reservation please contact Samantha Stevens at wine Tours Ltd. on 01730 263 111 and tell her that you are part of the Porsche Club Jersey contingent. The balance will be due on Sept. 1st.
I have tentatively reserved 5 parking spaces at the Hotel de la Paix, Reims. Please contact me at: Goetz.eggelhoefer@outlook.com if you would be interested to join this event and if you will require one of the parking spaces at the hotel.
The itinerary looks like this:
Friday, 27th October
9.05hrs Condor Ferry from Jersey, arriving in St. Malo at 11.25hrs. (to be arranged by you)
A 5hr drive to the Hotel de la Paix in Reims. The hotel has secure car parking facilities available at a cost of Euro 14 per car per night.
A Champagne dinner at the Palais du Tau: the vaulted crypt of the medieval Palais du Tau, which once held coronation banquets for the kings of France and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our host for the evening will be the wine critic Oz Clarke, who will be sharing a personally selected collection of French wines and Champagnes.
Saturday, 28th October
Oz Clarke’s tasting tutorial: In the morning we will participate in a tutored wine tasting session with Oz Clarke, learning expert tips and insider secrets from the World Wine Tasting Champion. Followed by some free timearound lunch time to grab a bite and explore the city of Reims’ stunning Cathedral. Or, if you prefer, you could take a leisurely stroll around Reims, admiring the Basilica of St Remi, the Palais de Vergeur, the Roman Triumphal Arch, as well as the city’s celebrated Art Deco architecture.
Champagne Festival: In the afternoon we will visit the Champagne Festival, held at the Demeure des Comtes de Champagne, once the medieval meeting hall of the counts of Champagne. Wine and spirits will be available late into the afternoon where – alongside a selection of French canapés – we will have the opportunity to sample France’s finest Champagnes from the region’s leading producers, growers and houses.
Dinner: TBD
Sunday, 29th October
A morning visit to a local Champagne grower: to discover at first hand the knowledge and craft that goes into the “méthode champenoise” – while enjoying a further glass or two. There will be lunch available, prior to our return to Reims at 15.00hrs and our return drive to St. Malo.
Overnight in St.Malo or Dinan (to be arranged by you)
Monday, 30th October
08.00hrs Condor Ferry from St. Malo, arriving in Jersey at 08.20hrs (to be arranged by you). In the office by 09.30hrs...or not!
So, whether you’re a Champagne connoisseur or just love eating good food and great wine, this is your chance to drive your Porsche and raise a glass in style...