Drappier

For day three of our Champagne tasting extravaganza we made a visit to Drappier, a favourite Champagne of Charles de Gaulle. The Drappier house is in a small village called Urville, not far from where Charles de Gaulle once lived in Colombey deux eglises. I have to say the Drappier tour was one of the best wine tours we have ever done. We were a group of six people, which created an easy environment to ask questions. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and ensured he fully answered the questions posed.

It is a paid tour, which we had booked in English via the internet. First it took us through the cellars, where the ‘méthode champenoise’ was explained, and how Drappier’s style is slightly different to other cellars. One of the major differences is that they offer Champagne fermented in the full range of bottle sizes, including in a ‘Melchisédech’, the largest size, and particular to Drappier. You will often find the larger bottles are filled by using bottles or magnums, so Drappier’s method of fermenting in any size bottle is very rare.

Once we had visited the cellars, and the bottling area, we were taken to the salon, where you get to enjoy your tasting in a beautiful and elegant wood panelled room. We had the delight of meeting Michel Drappier senior, who was also sat in the salon enjoying a glass of his very own Champagne. What a wonderful way to spend your day when you are in your 90’s.