Last week I was delighted to spend a couple of days with Ruinart to learn more about their champagne production.
Ruinart was founded in 1729 and is the first established champagne house!
The trip has started with a visit to La Cristal Room Baccarat, a museum and a restaurant ran by a Michelin-starred chef Guy Martin.
The french designer Philippe Starck has transformed the former dining room of art patron Marie-Laure de Noailles, who used to occupy the townhouse, into a restaurant.
We had some time to see the ball room and enjoy the amazing Baccarat glassware that is on display in the museum. Then we enjoyed excellent dinner in a truly beautiful setting – just imagine a combination of sparkling crystal chandeliers, big mirrors and exposed brick walls.
I had a few minutes to walk around Le Marais where we stayed before leaving for Reims to learn everything about champagne.
We walked along the vineyards and learned that each bottle of champagne contains 1,4 kg of grapes! It was an amazing experience to take part in grapes harvest and actually pick the grapes with my own hands!
Maison Ruinart (Ruinart house) where the magic happens.
Later in the afternoon we continued with a few workshops and then visited Unesco protected cellars.
Next day in the morning I had a few minutes for a quick walk around Reims and a speedy visit to Reims Cathedral.