A Shared Table
After a tour of the vineyards, an exploration of the ancient cellar and a comprehensive tasting of both new bottlings and mature vintages, tantalizing aromas began to waft from the small kitchen of the winegrower's home. A large table was informally set in the courtyard, and abundant vessels of simple, tastefully-prepared food began to flow from the house.
Ah, the French
The Champagne town of Épernay just reeks of money (not an exclusively French fragrance), with seemingly endless palatial buildings lining the Avenue de Champagne. Up front ; fabulously decorated and opulent reception rooms- very haute couture. In some cases (Moet et Chandon) Versailles-style gardens top off the outside opulence. But in most cases, there hides behind some of the facades winery facilities capable of handling millions of litres of juice that might be destined to fill sporting cups or as a shower for champion Formula One drivers. There are frequently “camions-citernes” (tanker trucks) posed like a supermodel in front of some of these elegant facades. Not when the millionaires are expected, I suppose.
