Sitting, surrounded by ancient bottles in the 312 year-old Berry Brothers & Rudd vaulted cellars beneath St James' Street, London, it was difficult to believe that a few feet above us the weather pounded the bustling streets. I had booked our Berrys' One Day Champagne School back in December as a Christmas present for my husband (Rupert)-two hours tasting and learning about Champagne followed by lunch in the Napoleon Cellar, sounded like the ideal present for a man who is currently planning a September trip around the vineyards of France.
Berrys' One Day Champagne School
Edwin Dublin, UK Champagne Ambassador 2011 and Berrys' London shop Champagne specialist, navigated us gently through tastes, smells, bubbles, bottles, vineyards, houses and landscapes, with a relaxed enthusiasm that kept us all spellbound.
It was to my great excitement, and Rupert's horror, that in a blind tasting we both voted the Krug Grande Curvee, Brut, our stand-alone winner.
I had no idea there was so much variety to be found in Champagne, nor so much rich narrative history. I am now looking forward to our road trip with renewed excitement and in the hope that I can remember everything I learnt. Perhaps I should have used the spittoon after all!
Book now: Berrys' One Day Champagne School, Saturday September 29, 2012, 10.45am Hosted by Edwin Dublin, Berrys' London shop Champagne specialist Venue: Pickering and Napoleon Cellars £245 per person
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