The last stop of the
Burgundy (and Champagne) Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: From Lyon to Paris - Wine, Food, Culture and History, France
before having lunch in Paris at La Coupole, Montparnasse, after which the tour ended,
was in Épernay, the capital of Champagne, at Maison Mercier, one of the famous Champagne Houses on l'Avenue de Champagne. We had a tour of the impressive cellars of Mercier and a tasting.
Mercier is the #1 selling brand of Champagne in the French market. Today the house is under the umbrella of the LVMH group, along with
Moët & Chandon
Dom Pérignon
Ruinart
Vve Clicquot
Krug
Mercier
One does not visit Mercier for sipping Champagne. It is the monument and craziness of its nonconformist founder that is interesting to experience. It was in 1858 that Eugène Mercier, a daring and visionary entrepreneur, broke with champagne tradition and created a "champagne for all occasions". To get people talking about his champagne, in 1870 he decided to build the largest wine cask in the world! With a monumental gage of over 20 tonnes, measuring 5 meters in height and able to hold up to 200,000 bottles, the cask was one of the major attractions of the 1889 Exposition Universelle, a competition won by the Eiffel Tower. In 1871 Eugène Mercier began the construction of his cellars in Epernay. It took six years to build the 18 kilometers of impressive underground tunnels that are home to the Mercier heritage. Once the immense cellars were open, Eugène Mercier, who always had an eye for creating significant events, had visitors tour the tunnels in carriages pulled by four horses. The tour was even taken by the President of France, Sadi Carnot, when he visited Mercier in 1891.
Mercier
Mercier Saga
Mercier: Our family saga began during the reign of Napoleon III, in the Second Empire, a period of thriving economic prosperity. When he was only 20 years old my great-grandfather Eugène Mercier established his own House and revolutionized the world of champagne. He took up an incredible challenge: make the wine of the era’s elites into a champagne accessible to everyone without ever sacrificing quality. A brilliant innovator and communication visionary, Eugène Mercier always knew how to surprise and amaze the public… He launched numerous and original communication operations during the course of the 19th century: a filmed commercial with the Lumière brothers, the creation of unusual promotional items and grand wine tastings of Mercier champagnes at Universal Expositions.
The Odysses of the Mercier Champagne
At the 1900 Universal Exposition in Paris Eugène Mercier created an original and attention-getting floating bar in an anchored hot air balloon. Attached to the foundation of the Vincennes Castle, the balloon took visitors to an altitude of 300 meters where they had the pleasure of a stunning panoramic view of Paris while enjoying a flute of Mercier. But destiny curiously intervened to transform the beautiful ascent into an unexpected adventure… The wind made off with the balloon and carried it to Epernay and well beyond, continuing its wild race all the way to Belgium. Yet all’s well that ends well, and the accidental travelers returned safe and sound.
Mercier in Epernay
Mercier is in Epernay, in the heart of France’s Champagne country, but the house has always had strong ties to Paris. In 1871, as soon as the cellars were built, a direct railway line transported the wine to the City of Light. And the connection went both ways, as Mercier’s reputation meant that it was always welcoming champagne lovers to the rolling hills of its vineyards. In 1904 a Paris-to-Epernay auto race was established, with the spectacular finish line located on the Avenue de Champagne, right in front of Mercier’s doorstep.
The Cellars
In 1871 Eugène Mercier began the construction of his cellars in Epernay. It took six years to build the 18 kilometers of impressive underground tunnels that are home to the Mercier heritage. Once the immense cellars were open, Eugène Mercier, who always had an eye for creating significant events, had visitors tour the tunnels in carriages pulled by four horses. The tour was even taken by the President of France, Sadi Carnot, when he called at Mercier in 1891.
Designed and decorated to impress, to this day the Mercier cellars are among the most often toured cellars in Champagne and receive over 100,000 visitors every year. One of the most remarkable objects to be seen on the Mercier tour is the “giant wine cask,” which bears witness to another of the founder’s flashes of genius. Eugène Mercier arranged the building of the world’s biggest wine barrel, which was designed for assemblage. His genius for communications inspired him to surmount every obstacle to have his exceptional cask displayed at the 1889 Universal Exposition in Paris. The Mercier cask even won second prize at the Exposition—first prize went to the Eiffel Tower!
3 Questions to Christophe Bonnefond, Chef de Cave, Mercier
Can you tell us a little about the immediate reactions of visitors when they first see the Mercier cellars?
« Visitors are surprised by the grandeur and the unique decor of our cellars. They’re not expecting to discover such a magnificent heritage and they realize how important our brand has been throughout the years. At the same time, they appreciate the amazing contrast between our traditional heritage and the originality of touring the cellars in a little train. »
Can you describe the atmosphere of the cellars and tell us if it impacts your everyday work?
« The atmosphere of the cellars is rich with our century-old history and they show a love of grandeur that was uniquely Eugène Mercier’s. When you are in the cellars you want to perpetuate the legend of Mercier Champagne and that’s what I focus on every day, continuing the “fresh, fruity, intense, spontaneous” Mercier style. »
How are these cellars different from the cellars of France’s other major houses?
« The Mercier cellars were the first to be constructed according to a rational plan based on an architectural drawing and designed to be open to the public. The high, arched ceilings, the sculpted decor and the theatricality create such atmosphere in these cellars that are, above all and to this day, the place where our wines mature, an organized, functional production space just as it was in the beginning for Eugène Mercier. »
Mercier Champagne Portfolio
Brut: An assemblage of Pinot Noir, Meunier and Chardonnay with a pale yellow color.
Brut Réserve: The bouquet is redolent of candied citrus, dried apricots and raisins.
Brut Rosé: A shimmering, salmon colour, with the vivacious aroma of red fruits and a palate as sweet as it is refreshing.
Blanc de Noir: The floral and fruity aromas of rose and lychee complete the green freshness of leafstalks and red currants.
Demi-Sec: An assemblage of Pinot Noir and Meunier, MERCIER DEMI-SEC is of a splendid antique gold color.
Lunch at La Coupole, Montparnasse, Paris
Following the visit of Mercier in Epernay we drove for ab out an hour to Paris for our final meal, at the iconic La Coupole, Montparnasse, after which the tour ended.
La Coupole is a historic Montparnasse café / restaurant (and an official French historic monument), which opened in 1927. This huge restaurant is a temple of Art Déco. It still symbolizes the “roaring twenties”. In was and still is to some lesser extent one of the hotspots of the intellectuals of Paris and abroad. Simone de Beauvoir, Jean Paul Sartre, Ernest Hemmingway, Picasso, Man Ray, Camus, James Joyce, Josephine Baker, Henri Miller, Serge Gainsbourg, Jane Birkin and countless others were regulars at La Coupole.
Burgundy (and Champagne) Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: From Lyon to Paris - Wine, Food, Culture and History (Forthcoming an already relased Postings)
Burgundy (and Champagne) Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: From Lyon to Paris - Wine, Food, Culture and History, France
Dinner at a Bouchon - Chez Paul - in Lyon: Schiller’s Favorite Bouchons in Lyon, France
Introduction to the Burgundy Wine Region at Antic Wine in Lyon with Flying Sommelier Georges Dos Santos - Burgundy (and Champagne) 2016 Tour by ombiasy WineTours
Lunch at La Table de Chaintré (1 Star Michelin) in Chaintré, with Chef Sébastien Grospellier - Burgundy (and Champagne) Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: From Lyon to Paris
In the Most Prestigious AOC in the Mâconnais: Pouilly-Fuissé, France
Visit and Tasting at Domaine de Fussiacus in Fuissé, Poully-Fuissé, Mâconnais, with Owner/ Winemaker Yannik Pacquet - Burgundy (and Champagne) Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: From Lyon to Paris
Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Desvignes in Givry, Côte Chalonnaise, with Owner/ Winemaker Gautier Desvignes - Burgundy (and Champagne) Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: From Lyon to Paris
Lunch at Restaurant Le Mercurey in Mercurey - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours
At Domaine Theulot-Juillot in Mercurey, Côte Chalonnaise, with Nathalie Theulot - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours
Tour of Château de Rully and Tasting of Domaine du Château de Rully Wines, with Count Raoul de Ternay - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours
Dinner at Restaurant Le Chevreuil in Meursault, with the Wines of Domaine Matrot - Burgundy (and Champagne) Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: From Lyon to Paris
Cellar Tour and Tasting at Cave Ropiteau Frères in Meursault, Côte de Beaune - Burgundy (and Champagne) Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: From Lyon to Paris
Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Michel Prunier & Fille in Auxey Duresses, Côte de Beaune - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours
Where Robert Parker likes to Eat: Lunch at La Crémaillère in Auxey-Duresses - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours
Vineyard Tour and Tasting in the Vineyard in Meursault with Karoline Knoth and the Wines of Domaine Pierre Morey - Burgundy (and Champagne) Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: From Lyon to Paris
Olivier Leflaive in Puligny Montrachet: Vineyard Walk and Cellar Tour, with Patrick Leflaive - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2018, France
Wine-pairing Lunch at La Table de Olivier in Puligny Montrachet with Patrick Leflaive – Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2018, France
Visit and Tasting at Château de Chassagne-Montrachet in Chassagne-Montrachet, Côte de Beaune – Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2018, France
Visit and Tasting: Maison Joseph Drouhin in Beaune – Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours, France
Schiller’s Favorite Wine Bars in Beaune, Bourgogne
Visit: Hospices de Beaune – Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2016, France
Lunch at Le Carmin (1 Star Michelin) in Beaune – Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2018, France
Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Château de Pommard in Pommard, Côte de Beaune - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2018, France
Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Faiveley in Nuits-Saint-George, Côte de Nuits, with Matilde Nicolas, Communications Director - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2018, France
Visit of Château du Clos de Vougeot - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours
Touring the Vineyards of Vosne-Romanée, Côte de Nuits, with Armelle Rion, Domaine Armelle et Bernhard Rion – Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2018, France
Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Armelle et Bernard Rion in Vosne Romanée, Côte de Nuits - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours
Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Guillon & Fils in Gevrey-Chambertin, Côte de Nuits, with Jean-Michel Guillon - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours
An Institution: Lunch at Restaurant Chez Guy in Gevrey-Chambertin - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours
Vineyard and Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine du Clos St. Louis, Côte de Nuits, with Owner/ Winemaker Philippe Bernard - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours
Wine Pairing Lunch, Cellar Visit, Vineyard Tour and Tasting at Domaine Jean Marc Brocard in Préhy, Chablis – Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours, France
Schiller’s Favorite Wine Bars and other Wine Venues in Chablis, France
Cellar Tour and Tasting at Château Long-Depaquit in Chablis, with Technical Director Cécilia Trimaille - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours
Champagne – An Introduction, France
French Champagne Houses and German Roots
Visit and Tasting at Champagne Jean Josselin, a Grower Champagne House in Gyé sur Seine – Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours, France
Tour of l'Avenue de Champagne in Epernay - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours
Dinner at 1-Star Michelin Restaurant Les Berceaux in Épernay - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2018, France
Cellar Tour and Tasting at Mercier in Épernay- Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2018, France
Lunch at La Coupole, Montparnasse, Paris
Dining and Wining on Boulevard Montparnasse in Paris: La Rotonde, Le Dôme and La Coupole, France – Pre-Bordeaux Wine Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours, France
No comments:
Post a Comment