Gal Pals 2008 at Chateau de Conde

There are many great tours to take either on your own or with a professional organization.  I do some of both and it just depends upon the interest of the gals on the trip, the time allotted and the time of year we go on the trip.     

In 2008 the champagne loving gal pals chose to use Paris Vision to take a tour of the Champagne region.  We had a private van pick us up at our hotel early in the morning – 7am.  Our geeky, yet extremely knowledgable guide took us to some amazing places where we were free to take our time as we were just a group of 6.  Three gal pals (Christine, Me, Elizabeth) and two Japanese newlyweds plus the tour guide.   

The cold and rough January morning was the perfect setting for us to see Le Chateau de Conde - a privately owned castle in the entrance of the region at Condé-en-Brie, Aisne, France.  The chateau is being restored to capture its former elegance and beauty by Alain Pasté de Rochefort.      

The main part of the chateau was freezing cold since it is not part of the family’s current living spaces.  We knew what it felt like to roam the dark and cold hallways of the past and I certainly decided I would have died young in those days!  Our guide was very familiar with this property and shared with us the escape route for the family where tunnels were built under the old family quarters.  The idea was that the family, should they be under attack, could escape to the church nearby to receive “sanctuary” and not be killed.      

Not only were we able to enter the public parts of the castle, we were treated to morning tea with the wife of the owner in her private residence.  She was a chic, well-dressed, beautiful and gracious woman who looked like she should be living in a castle.      

After our morning tea we headed further into the Champagne region past Dom Perignon’s home where Champagne was discovered.  Thank you and God Bless you Dom!!!     

Having consumed many bottles of brut bubbly over the years, it was time to learn exactly how it is made by two very different wine houses.  First we went to a small production building at the house of Vadin-Plateau in Cumieres, Marne.  It is there we were taken through the entire process from the initial press through the fermentation process and even the bottling of their champagne.  Our guide explained to us the nouveau thinking about plastic verses wood corks.  She reassured us that we were not being short-changed with plastic (plass tique) as they say.  She was very convincing that plastic is actually a very good product to use.  We tasted a grand cru and all purchased several bottles to bring home to the men left behind.  Afterall, they deserve nothing but the best for supporting our annual chick pilgrimage!  I also could not resist buying a couple dozen adorable well priced champagne glasses stamped with the Vadin name as souvenirs and also to give as a wedding gift for Christine – the latest gal pal to get married.   Now at home, those are the only glasses I drink champagne out of which brings me fond memories with every sip!   

Gal Pals 2008 at house of Mumm

Onwards and upwards to Reims, France and the house of G.H. Mumm!  Yumm, Mumm!  Big cellars with large caves where we learned just exactly what a “riddler” does.  He riddles all day (turns the bottles) and can riddle quite a few bottles per day down in those dark caves.  A good riddler makes a lot of money… “What does your dad do?”  “My dad is a riddler!”  “Really?”  “Ya, it’s wicked cool.”  “What does your dad do?”  “He’s just an investment banker.”  “Oh…that’s too bad.”   If you don’t find that hysterically funny, it’s only because you have not been tasting bubbly all day with two of your closet friends – your bad!  Try it and read this again!  

We had a hard time paying attention on the tour once we were making up the riddler conversations so there is nothing else I can share about the experience – except that we did taste Mumm and agree that it’s worth its great reputation.  To this day I can make Elizabeth giggle immediately with the mere mention of the Riddler Man!  Fabulous time at the great house of Mumm!    

Can’t believe I forgot to mention Notre Dame, Reims!  After all that yummy bubbly we needed some prayers to get back to Paris in good shape!  It’s even more amazing than Notre Dame in Paris.  I loved the architecture and it seemed much more inviting than the one in Paris.  Rich Americans gave quite a bit of money to build this church – it looks it!  A definite must see in Reims before one is champagne tasting preferably!     

When you look at the tour on Paris Vision it is listed under day excursions from Paris.  It takes roughly 12 hours by private van.  I highly recommend doing this instead of taking a group bus.  It’s more personal, they pick you up at your hotel and you can make stops along the way and our tour guide was professional, but personable who went out of his way to share with us his love of the area history.  Worth every penny – the gal pals all gave it thumbs up!