Just amazing to see how fast time slips by; twelve months ago I was writing about the imminent harvest in the Champagne region and here we are again.
Had a surprise and fairly unplanned visit over to France on 30 August to collect some emergency supplies from the cellar stairway – so to speak. Successful trip all round; out by tunnel and back by ferry.
What was fascinating for me was seeing the grapes for the first time at the very end of August and how much further they still had to go but with only two weeks left in which to do so. Simon Nominé assures me that 2010 is on target to be a really very good “regular” harvest and I doubt he or his family will be wrong.
Still, some pics from the vineyards, being (from left to right), Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay grapes – and note how small the bunches and actual berries are. Amazing to think that in a few months time, the juice from these bunches will be blended together, bottled and set down in the cellars for the start of their second fermentation (in bottle where the bubbles arrive) and then the lengthy aging before we get to start enjoying the magical champagne that results:
On the domestic front things have been very very busy. Personalised champagne business continues to grow, as does repeat custom and satisfied customer feedback – thank you so much for that because it cheers the whole team back at base. I promise a post all about feedback before long! What we have learned, though, is that good service does seem to be missing from “ordinary” internet purchases, so our “ordinary” service does seem to take people by surprise; terrific news for us but truly nothing out of the ordinary for Park Lane!
Since last writing, we have welcomed our friends from the Champagne Cellar into the Park Lane fold. We were very flattered that Hazel and Jane approached Park Lane as they considered various options to take their business on to the next level. We are confident that as a united entity, the synergies between our businesses will ensure the very best and enhanced product and service to our combined customers. I also really look forward to meeting Thomas Cheurlin in early October at his vineyards in the Aube once the harvest is well out of the way.
And hold the press: some properly exciting news and another first for Park Lane coming very soon as we respond to demand and enhance our online services yet further; no wonder time is flying by.
My eldest children started at their new school today – the same school that welcomed me 29 years ago; that really is time flying by, especially as this morning it seemed just like yesterday when I was first arriving. Not sure I had white hairs back in 1981, though…
Comments