From Lyon to Paris: Total Immersion in Burgundy and Champagne 2023 by ombiasy WineTours took place from Sunday, July 02 - Thursday, July 13, 2023. The tour started in Lyon and ended in Paris.
Following two visits in the morning:
Tasting Current (in the Tasting Room) and Older Vintages (in the Cellar) at Champagne Legras & Haas in Chouilly, Côte des Blancs, with Jérôme Legras - From Lyon to Paris: Total Immersion in Burgundy and Champagne 2023 by ombiasy WineTours
Tasting at Champagne Maison Gamet in Mardeuil, Vallée de la Marne, with Philippe, Fabienne and Marianne Gamet - From Lyon to Paris: Total Immersion in Burgundy and Champagne 2023 by ombiasy WineTours
we walked over to Champagne Alfred Gratien, which is located in Èpernay downtown, a few blocks away from out hotel.
The visit consisted of a cellar tour and a seated tasting.
Champagne Alfred Gratien in Èpernay
The Champagne house Alfred
Gratien was founded in 1864 by Alfred Gratien in the town of Épernay.
Today the estate is managed by the fourth generation of the Gratien
family. The great-grand-son of the founder, Nicolas Jaeger, is also the
cellar master. He continues the tradition learned from his father and
until today the characteristic style of Alfred Gratien Champagnes
remains the same, despite trends and mass production elsewhere.
These are "handmade" champagnes that stand for quality and uniqueness. The cuvées are made from an assemblage of the best crus of the three major regions (Côte des Blancs for Chardonnay, Montagne de Reims for Pinot Noir and the Marne Valley for Pinot Meunier). The first fermentation takes place entirely in small 228-liter oak barrels (champagne barrels) and gives the champagne a vinous, very tasty, balanced style. Alfred Gratien is one of the last champagne houses to maintain this tradition.
Out of respect for the "terroir", a conscious decision has been made not to do malolactic fermentation in order to preserve the original character of the champagnes. In this way, the aroma of the grapes and the terroir is preserved and the Champagnes retain its freshness even with age.
Champagne Alfred Gratien in Èpernay - Website
A family champagne house since 1864
If exceptional had a name, it would be Champagne Alfred Gratien . Alfred Gratien champagnes are handcrafted for guaranteed quality and consistency. A few miles away from Epernay’s bustling town center, deep in the heart of a Champagne vineyard, are the Alfred Gratien champagne cellars. It was here, on Rue Maurice Cerveaux, that Alfred Gratien set up his business and created his first cuvées in 1864. For over a century and a half, Alfred Gratien champagnes have remained a family affair perpetuated by the expertise and know-how of their founder.
A century-old cellar
Upon entering the courtyard, turn left and throw open the two heavy wooden doors. Walking through the doorway and into the cellar is an emotional moment in time. This is the beginning of a journey into the heart of the story and heritage of champagne. As you walk through the cellars, you will discover close to 1,000 barrels neatly packed away in straight stacked lines, the essence of the Alfred Gratien house. The precious wood honors the house’s roots, as the champagne here has been vinified in oak (‘sous-bois’) since its very beginnings. In the center of the cellar is a portrait of Alfred Gratien, a reminder of where this prestigious champagne comes from and its intimate bond with the man who created it.
A line of descent
The house’s legacy relies on its cellar masters who were taught a trade that has been handed down from father to son for four generations now. Gaston Jaeger, the earliest first descendant, took on the role in 1905. In 1951, he passed the craft on to his son Charles, who in turn paved the way for his son Jean-Pierre to take over in 1966.
Nicolas joined his father in 1990, with the pair now having worked side-by-side for 17 years. This wonderful collaborative effort is a continuation of the inherited know-how that has been passed on for nearly a century. In 2007, Nicolas became the cellar master for Alfred Gratien Champagne in Epernay. He embodies the living memory of the Alfred Gratien house and its grand cru champagnes.
Nicolas Jaeger, cellar master by Alfred Gratien
Born in 1972, Nicolas Jaeger had no other desire than to follow in his father’s footsteps and those of his descendants by becoming the cellar master at Alfred Gratien.
Nicolas Jaeger grew up amidst the vineyards spread across the regions of Reuil, his father’s birthplace, and Mesnil-sur-Oger, where his mother’s family owned a few vines.
His childhood memories lead to Epernay. “I would shadow my father. Cellar masters work tirelessly, you have to watch over your wines, every day, even on weekends.”
Nicolas Jaeger worked alongside his father, learning the nuts and bolts of the trade: handling the barrels in the cellar, cellar maintenance, and the quest for the best suppliers. Nicolas was fascinated by the wood barrels. Working with wood requires patience and Nicolas understands how to nurture his cuvées and wait for them to emerge. Today’s safe-keeper of the Alfred Gratien style talks of a certain mimicry.
Arriving
Cellar Tour
Tasting
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Summary: From Lyon to Paris: Total Immersion in Burgundy and Champagne 2023 by ombiasy WineTours
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In the Most Prestigious AOC in the Mâconnais: Pouilly-Fuissé, France
Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Ferret in Fuissé, Poully-Fuissé, Mâconnais, with the Outgoing DG/ Winemaker Audrey Braccini and Incoming DG/ Winemaker Clément Robinet - From Lyon to Paris: Total Immersion in Burgundy and Champagne 2023 by ombiasy WineTours
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Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Menand in Mercurey, Côte Chalonnaise, with Fabienne Menand - From Lyon to Paris: Total Immersion in Burgundy and Champagne 2023 by ombiasy WineTours
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Dinner at Restaurant La Table du Square in Beaune - From Lyon to Paris: Total Immersion in Burgundy and Champagne 2023 by ombiasy WineTours
Walk in the Vineyard, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Jessiaume in Santenay, Côte de Beaune, with DG/ Winemaker William Waterkeyn - From Lyon to Paris: Total Immersion in Burgundy and Champagne 2023 by ombiasy WineTours
Guided Vineyards Walk around Meursault with Karoline Knoth, Author of "Castles and Châteaux in Meursault" - From Lyon to Paris: Total Immersion in Burgundy and Champagne 2023 by ombiasy WineTours
Menu du Jour Lunch at Restaurant L’Agastache in Volnay, with Caroline (Service) and Nunzio Iacono (Kitchen), Michelin and Gault Millau Listed - From Lyon to Paris: Total Immersion in Burgundy and Champagne 2023 by ombiasy WineTours
Guided Tour of Château de Rully by Owner Count Raoul de Ternay, with Tasting of Domaine Rully Wines - From Lyon to Paris: Total Immersion in Burgundy and Champagne 2023 by ombiasy WineTours
Dinner at Restaurant Le Relais de Saulx in Beaune, with the Couple Charles Danet, Chef, and Agnès Peyre, Service, 12/ 20 Points Gault Millau - From Lyon to Paris: Total Immersion in Burgundy and Champagne 2023 by ombiasy WineTours
At Maison Olivier Leflaive in Puligny Montrachet: Vineyard Walk and a Talk with Olivier Leflaive - From Lyon to Paris: Total Immersion in Burgundy and Champagne 2023 by ombiasy WineTours
Wine-pairing Lunch at La Table d’Olivier with Icon Olivier Leflaive in Puligny-Montrachet, Côte de Beaune - From Lyon to Paris: Total Immersion in Burgundy and Champagne 2023 by ombiasy WineTours
Tasting at Château de Pommard in Pommard, Côte de Beaune - From Lyon to Paris: Total Immersion in Burgundy and Champagne 2023 by ombiasy WineTours
Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Faiveley in Nuits-Saint-George, Côte de Nuits - From Lyon to Paris: Total Immersion in Burgundy and Champagne 2023 by ombiasy WineTours
Menu du Jour Lunch and Wine Tasting with Sommelier Emmanuel Thibout at Restaurant Le Vintage, Domaine Mongeard-Mugneret - From Lyon to Paris: Total Immersion in Burgundy and Champagne 2023 by ombiasy WineTours
Cellar Tour and Tasting at Louis Jadot in Beaune with Thibaud Marquis, US Representative of Louis Jadot - From Lyon to Paris: Total Immersion in Burgundy and Champagne 2023 by ombiasy WineTours
Bus Tour Through the Vineyards of Vosne-Romanée, Côte de Nuits, with Melissa Rion and Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine
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Wine-pairing Lunch at
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Total Immersion in Burgundy and Champagne 2023 by ombiasy WineTours
Tour of the Ancient Cellars and Tasting at Maison Joseph Drouhin in Beaune - From Lyon to Paris: Total Immersion in Burgundy and Champagne 2023 by ombiasy WineTours
Wine and Music at "De Bach à Bacchus Festival de Meursault", with Karoline Knoth - From Lyon to Paris: Total Immersion in Burgundy and Champagne 2023 by ombiasy WineTours
Hospices de Beaune and its Wines, Guided Tour - From Lyon to Paris: Total Immersion in Burgundy and Champagne 2023 by ombiasy WineTours
Menu du Jour Lunch at Restaurant Au Creux de Vougeot - From Lyon to Paris: Total Immersion in Burgundy and Champagne 2023 by ombiasy WineTours
Tour of Château du Clos de Vougeot - From Lyon to Paris: Total Immersion in Burgundy and Champagne 2023 by ombiasy WineTours
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Dinner at Restaurant Hostellerie des Clos in Chablis - From Lyon to Paris: Total Immersion in Burgundy and Champagne
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Tasting from Tank, Barrel and Bottle at Domaine Servin in Chablis, with Marc Cameron and François Servin - From Lyon to Paris: Total Immersion in Burgundy and Champagne
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Tour, Tasting and Lunch at Domaine Jean-Marc Brocard in Préhy, Chablis - From Lyon to Paris: Total Immersion in Burgundy and Champagne 2023 by ombiasy WineTours
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Cellar Tour and Tasting at Champagne Jean Josselin in Gyé-sur-Seine, Côte des Bar, Champagne, with Jean Pierre Josselin and Export Manager Sharona Tsubota - From Lyon to Paris: Total Immersion in Burgundy and Champagne 2023 by ombiasy WineTours
An Afternoon at the L'Avenue de Champagne (The Champagne Avenue) in Epernay - From Lyon to Paris: Total Immersion in Burgundy and Champagne 2023 by ombiasy WineTours
Tasting Current (in the Tasting Room) and Older Vintages (in the Cellar) at Champagne Legras & Haas in Chouilly, Côte des Blancs, with Jérôme Legras - From Lyon to Paris: Total Immersion in Burgundy and Champagne 2023 by ombiasy WineToursTasting at Champagne Maison Gamet in Mardeuil, Vallée de la Marne, with Philippe, Fabienne and Marianne Gamet - From Lyon to Paris: Total Immersion in Burgundy and Champagne 2023 by ombiasy WineTours
Cellar Tour and Tasting at Champagne Alfred Gratien in Èpernay - From Lyon to Paris: Total Immersion in Burgundy and Champagne
2023 by ombiasy WineTours
French/ Thai Fusion Dinner at Restaurant Cook’In in Épernay (Bib Gourmant Michelin), with Chef Guillaume and Uma (Service).
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