Champagne Experience
Sunday 20 May
If you wish to stay close by overnight, the Hilton Doubletree Hyde Park Hotel, 150 Bayswater Road, W2 4RT is just over the road from the Coach Park and convenient for an early departure next morning. Email: doubletree3@hilton.com
Monday 21 May
We will depart from London (Bayswater Coach Park W2) at 08.00 hours.
There will be a Grand Tasting and lunch en route, where the Guides will provide 11 champagnes showing their different styles.
We will arrive in Reims at the Hotel de la Paix (4 star) around 16.45. Dinner will be in Le Grand Café with wines from Champagne and Burgundy.
Tuesday 22 May
Champagne Taittinger. Followed by lunch with Taittinger at La Marquetterie.
There will be further visits in the afternoon, and dinner in the evening.
Wednesday 23 May
Visit to Champagne Joseph Perrier in Chalons. The restaurant Cheval Blanc is halfway between Chalons and Reims; a notable restaurant in La Chef. After lunch we will go to the Côte de Blancs, Oger, and visit the Grand Cru Champagne Jean Milan.
Dinner that night will be close to the hotel at Le Flo
Thursday 24 May
We will visit either Ruinart or Moȅt (Dom Perignon tasting). We will follow that with a light lunch and a visit to Champagne François Secondé in Sillery, Grand Cru for Champagne Brut Absolut and Blanc de Noirs. In the evening, we will be the guests of La Confrérie du Sabre d'Or at Le Vieux Pressoir. This is the home and cave of Philippe Brugnon, our host, and doyen of Pink Champagne, the Art of Sabrage and creator of fine Vintage Champagne. A memorable dinner and accompanying fine wines will be followed by a demonstration of Sabrage and our "end of term" party
Friday 25 May.
After breakfast and check-out from the hotel, we will visit Champagne Mumm where the history and ethos of Champagne will be well demonstrated, followed by a swift tasting. We move on to Le Boulingrin for our climax - The Krug Experience in which we will be served substantial pourings of the most expensive Champagne from such vintages as 1990, 1995 and 2003 as well as the famous Grand Cuvée.
After lunch, we will depart for the Channel Tunnel and London, where we will arrive at around 20.30. A traiteur (caterer) will serve a gourmet three course picnic on board during the journey.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Cancellation by members: If you cancel within 14 days of making the deposit, it will be fully refunded. No deposit will be refunded after 14 days.
After 28 February 2018, no refund will be made and the final balance, if not already paid, will still be payable. You are advised to have personal travel and cancellation insurance.
Cancellation by IWFS: In the event that it becomes necessary to cancel one or more events within the Festival the organisers will repay any uncommitted funds to registrants.
Monday 21 - Friday 25 May
This exceptional experience will include:
- At least 28 Champagnes to be sampled.
- Visits to three Champagne Houses (négociant-manipulants), and three Viticulteurs (récoltants).
- All lunches and dinners with Champagne and fine wines.
- Expert tutors with resources to present fine French wines, including some privileged wines of older vintages.
- Hotel accommodation and breakfast.
- High standards of gastronomy.
- Luxury table-seated coach with kitchen, toilet, snack boxes and refrigerators. Champagne always served and other wines available on board.
- An opportunity to buy and bring back Champagne from all producers.
- A demonstration of Sabrage.
Dress codes and joining instructions will be issued nearer the time.
The fully-inclusive price is 2,550 euros per person, single supplement 360 euros.