Anyone for Champers?

One of the nice things about renting out gîtes in France, is that one gets to meet new people. Nowadays we only rent out one apartment/ gîte, and just in the height of summer, but we are always glad that we do. Whereas once our guests would come from all corners of the world : the U.S.A. , Australia , Germany, Spain and the U.K., nowadays our guests are mainly French. They know what a wonderful country they have, and wish to explore more of it. Certainly , it is no bad thing in these days of climate change , to GO LOCAL. Last evening we were invited by our current guests to join them for a drink, and received a most pleasant surprise.

We were offered a glass of champagne. But this was to be no ordinary evening 'apero,' for our guests, B. and C. live near Epernay, the champagne area in Northern France. What's more B. has worked for its most famous champagne producer Möet Chandon, as a quality controller, for the past 29 years. So we were obviously delighted when he opened a bottle of ten year old champagne, and explained to us the nature of what we were about to drink. Like all guests do in France we had taken along a little gift...a bowl of large green Luques olives from the local producer in our village. The Luques olive is a speciality in this corner of Hérault.

Claude Möet was a wine negotiant in Epernay from the beginning of the 18th Century, and founded the house of Möet in 1743. This became known as Möet et Chandon, when the family's son-in-law, Pierre Gabrielle-Chandon, joined the enterprise in 1833. This company is now the largest producer of champagne in France under the three labels of Ruinart, Dom Pérignon , and of course Möet et Chandon. The vines are grown on 1300 hectares of rich limestone soil, of which 50% are classed as grand-crus, and 25% as premiers crus. The champagne is matured in labyrinthine underground caves, which extend over 28 kilometres. This champagne can be bought in 150 countries world wide...Cheers!

I confess, I am no expert when it comes to tasting champagne. B. explained that this particular vintage was ten years old . While it is most probably at its best right now, it should be kept no longer. It was made from three grapes: Chardonnay; Pinot noir ; and Pinot Meunier. Was it delicious? Of course it was. Moreover , B. generously opened a second bottle to share with us. This was made from the same three grapes, but this time the delicious fizz inside was pink . If anything, I found it even lovelier than the first, with its dry rounded fruitiness.

There is also a locally produced 'fizz' in Languedoc which we sometimes share amongst friends. There is the brut version "Blanquette de Limoux " and the slightly sweeter "Crémant de Limoux." It is certainly more affordable, but it is also very delicious. Of course , as it is not grown in the Epernay region, it cannot be called champagne, but locals claim that in fact the original "méthode champenoise " was invented in Limoux. What did B. think of that, I wondered." Pah!" he exclaimed. The whole idea was thoroughly dismissed.

Whether the local legend is true or false, as far as I am concerned, it doesn't matter a fig. This Möet et Chandon champagne was certainly very delicious. We are so glad that B., C. and their adorable dog Verdi , came to stay.