We were all extremely envious when Craig was Invited to join the “Grande Marque” Champagne course in Reims.
The Champagne Academy was created in 1956 by twelve “Grandes Marques” houses, their aim was, and still is, to educate members of the British and Irish Republic’s Wine and Spirits Trade as to the merits of Grandes Marques Champagne. The Academy was extended in 1987 to sixteen members without altering its objectives in any way. The presidential house for the Academy this year is Champagne Bollinger.
This special course is by invitation only, held once a year and is limited to only sixteen students, the board makes the final decision on all candidates. Craig was honoured to be invited and relished the opportunity, rising to the challenges of a heavy schedule of 7 days of tutorials and champagne tastings to learn about every aspect of“Grande Marque” Champagne which was tutored and hosted by the Heads of these Houses.
The week included:
- “Champagne the framework” a day with Perrier-Jouet – Heidsieck & Co Monopole – Bollinger
- “The champagne vineyard and the harvest – a day with Moet & Chandon – Laurent Perrier – Pol Roger
- “From Picking to bottling” a day with Ruinart – Charles Heidsiek – Pommery
- “From bottling to packaging” a day with Krug – Veuve Clicquot – Lanson – Piper – Heidsieck
- “Marketing and distribution / analysis of world markets” a day with Mumm – Taitinger – Roederer
Even for Craig – this was an enormous amount of champagne to be tasted!!
The week finished with an examination on the whole week’s course and we were delighted when Craig passed and has now been accredited by the Academie Du Champagne.