A bit of Bubbly!

One of the benefits of Europe is that its easy to travel to the surrounding countries. We took a few days and headed to France, to the Champagne region. You know, the only place in the world where actual champagne is made. Anything that does not come from this part of France is actually sparkling wine, its not true champagne. Anyhow, while were there we toured the Taittinger winery. It was very interesting to see where and how the champagne is stored. During the tour you are lead to the underground chalk caves where the champagne is stored, there were upwards of a million bottles of champagne through out the caves. It was very intimidating having a toddler among such a large amount of very breakable bottles of champagne. Unfortunately I wasn't able to hear a lot of the tour because apparently champagne making and storage is not an interesting subject to a 2 year old. I guess I will have to go back someday!!! Abby was pretty funny while we were doing the tour, she kept asking me about the big, huge water bottles...referring to the bottles of champagne!!!

Can you believe those huge bottles? You could end up with a serious headache after drinking one of those :)

At a certain point in the production process the Champagne bottle is placed upside down in a holder at a 75° angle. Each day a person, called a riddler, comes through the cellar and turns the bottle 1/8th of a turn while keeping it upside down. This procedure forces the dead yeast cells into the neck of the bottle where they are subsequently removed. Here is Abby during her hands on interview to become one of the riddlers. Little did she know she was supposed to be on the other side of the structure so that she could turn the bottles. Needless to say, she was not hired and we are not bathing in champagne as we had hoped ;)

Ok, now we are making progress....atleast she is on the right side now!

Rows upon rows of champagne in the chalk cellars.

Its cold down in the caves and the temperature is the same all year round.
From R to L: Andrew, Becca, Baby Wes, John, Cheyna, and Abigail

John couldn't wait for the tasting after the tour!

This is one of the old staircases used by the Monks who originally "created" champagne. The ceiling was marked so that the Monks were able to feel their way down the stairs because there was no electricity.

Look at all of the "water bottles"