Early morning rise, had to be at the lobby at 6:20am. It was great everyone made it on time and we left just before 6:30 on the bus. The bus ride was calm, and in just 30 minutes of being on the road we started seeing green and lots of plain land. It was beautiful, just what I’ve been wanting to see here. The peaceful view of nature and miles of greenery felt like a deep breath away from the city. It was a 2-hour drive, most of us fell asleep, and others just enjoyed the views. It was super early, so makes sense why people would nap the ride.
When we arrived to Champagne Duval-Leroy, we were pleasantly greeted by a nice lady and the director, who gave us a tour of their vineyards. One thing I found interesting is how they deal with climate change and avoid using chemical pesticides. They use a method called sexual confusion to stop butterflies from reproducing. Apparently, those butterflies were ruining the grapes, so this method protects the vines without harming the environment. I thought that was super smart. Their chalky limestone soil also helps regulate water, even with heavy rain or high temperatures, which is important with climate changes happening more often.
We got a full behind-the-scenes look, including their massive barrel room and huge stainless steel tanks. They were enormous compared to Geoffroy. Then we walked through their cellars where they store bottles, including vintage wines dating back to 2008. Champagne takes a long time to make. They blend older wines with new ones, add yeast and sugar, and let it sit for years to develop flavor. Some of their bottles age for 5, 10, even 25 years. The process is so detailed and patient, and now I see why Champagne is in a league of its own. After the tour, we went to the tasting room and tried five of their top champagnes. Most were vintage, including some stored since 2008. My favorite was their rosé. It was sweet with just the right acidity. Their Femme de Champagne was also really special. It represents the strength and journey of a woman in the wine business. It was inspiring and made the experience more meaningful.
After the tasting, we headed to the lunch room and were surprised by a visit from Madam Carol Duval-Leroy herself. She greeted each of us with a warm smile and handshake. She was so sweet, it was an honor to meet her. We took pictures and she offered us champagne and gougères, which were so good. The lunch room was beautiful and the food made it even better. We had an appetizer of salmon with yuzu cream, an entrée of chicken with champagne sauce, and tiramisu for dessert.
We were kind of rushed at the end since we had to make it to our next stop, Geoffroy Champagne, and were already running late. Geoffroy is located in AĂż, Champagne. When we arrived, we were greeted by a friendly man who is close with the family that runs the winery. He gave us a tour of their storage rooms. Everything was smaller and more compact compared to Duval-Leroy, but their cellar went down two floors and was much older. Geoffroy is a smaller family-run winery, and you could feel the difference. It was more personal and cozy.
After the tour, we finished with a tasting of two champagnes, a white and a rosé. Both were super crisp and full of acidity. Overall, this trip was way more educational than reading from a textbook. Seeing it all in person, from the vines to the cellars to the tasting, made it all click. Honestly, it was totally worth waking up early for.
Meeting Madam Carol Duval-Leroy must have been a great surprise and treat. It shows that she values our program and students.