Grape harvest day for the Brissons

WINE DAY WITH THE BRISSON FAMILY #3

Let’s discover the Marne region together, thanks to our ambassadors!

FAMILY PORTRAIT

Today, we follow a curious, epicurean and happy family! Noémie Brisson and her son Gaël, aged 10, form an intrepid duo. Gourmets at heart, they are also in love with their land, which they never tire of exploring. Gaël is passionate about history and has already visited several museums in the department. With them, it’s smiles and good humor every day!

Program for the day

10am: “Vendangeur d’un jour ®” workshop at Champagne Couvreur Philippart in Rilly-la-Montagne
1:30 pm: Lunch at La Frigousse in Aÿ-Champagne
2:30 pm: A sensory journey to the heart of Champagne – Pressoria

Discover the grape harvest, restaurant & sensory journey at Pressoria

You can be from the Marne region, live just a few kilometers from the Champagne vineyards and still never have harvested a grape in your life! This was precisely the case for Noémie Brisson and her son Gaël on their 3rd and final ambassador day. The 2 of them were able to try out the “Vendangeur d’un jour®” experience on a beautiful September morning.

They headed for Rilly-la-Montagne, to the Champagne Couvreur Philippart estate, where the owner was waiting for them. Noémie and Gaël joined a small group of 6 people. The workshop begins with a quick tour of the winery, then everyone climbs into the car to head for the harvest plot in the nearby village of Chigny-les-Roses.

“The setting is superb, and the weather is on our side! The winemaker hands us our pruning shears and off we go! While we picked our first bunches, she explained how to recognize the Pinot Meunier grape variety (thanks to its leaf with a white veil), and then gave us some information about grapes, harvesting… It’s a dynamic group, and we’re having a great time,” says Noémie.

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The family hit the road again, heading for La Frigousse, in Aÿ-Champagne. Both a restaurant and a store selling local produce, this place of Champagne emotions promises a most enjoyable lunch! “The place is very nice, with a great welcome and a tempting menu. We took advantage of the fine weather to eat on the pretty terrace, right in front of the town hall, but the interior is very pretty and the atmosphere ultra-cosy!”. What’s on the menu? Delicious dishes cooked in jars. “Gaël chose the boeuf bourguignon and I had the salmon/spinach lasagne, a real treat! For dessert: small waffles and madeleines to accompany the coffee. The store is also very pleasant, offering a wide choice of local products.

Perfectly satisfied, the family then walked to Pressoria, the Champagne Wine Interpretation Center, just a few minutes away. “This was my 3rd visit to Pressoria, but it’s always a pleasure. Gaël was coming for the first time, so I let him go at his own pace. Right from the start, you’re in for a treat! It’s a beautiful place,” says Noémie.

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The group heads back to the estate, where they visit the winery before tasting another cuvée. Gaël’s bunch was a record: 540g! ” The winemaker was impressed – the record is around 600g – and gave him a little extra present: a house cap!” confirms the young mother. Both leave with their “grape-pickers for a day®” diplomas and a mini-glacier bearing the Champagne de Vigneron logo. “We loved this immersion in the winemaker’s home. The couple were really welcoming and friendly, and we had a great time with them!” confirms Noémie.

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Fascinated, Gaël took the time to discover all the areas of this unusual interactive tour. “He went for the experience. He loved the fun aspect: smelling the grape varieties, watching the videos showing the evolution of the grape bunch, observing the representation of a vine as it goes through the seasons… It’s really concrete for children, and it echoed our harvest morning!”. Gaël was amazed by everything, so much so that he concluded the visit with: “Mom, this is one of my favorite museums! And that’s saying a lot for this lover of cultural heritage!

The family rounded off their visit with a tasting on Pressoria’s terrace. “It’s an absolutely beautiful place, with an incredible view of the vineyards. Gaël was able to taste 2 different grape juices, and he really enjoyed it!