September 25th, 2013 - by Pei Yeng
Champagne grape harvest season
Come join us to experience the most important moment of the year!
After a cold winter and spring, luckily the summer has been sunny and now the grapes are finally ripen. All the wineries are busy doing the preparation for the most important moment of the year : the harvest. Read more…
June 27th, 2013 - by Pei Yeng
Champagne sabering - Sabrage
Champagne sabering or sabrage in French is a technique for opening a Champagne bottle with a Champagne sword (sabre).
There are several stories about the tradition of Champagne sabering (Sabrage). All of them begin in the early 19th century.
The most popular story is that of Napoleon’s soldiers just after the French Revolution. The sabre was the weapon of choice of the fearsome Cavalry. Hence the word sabrage originates from the word sabre. Napoleon’s spectacular victories across all Europe gave them plenty of reason to celebrate. During these events the cavalry opened the Champagne with their sabres to show their pride. This may encouraged by Napoleon, known to have said “Champagne! In victory one deserves it; in defeat one needs it.” Since then Champagne sabering (sabrage) became popular in France.
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December 5th, 2012 - by Pei Yeng
152nd wine auction of the Hospices de Beaune: history and vineyards
Hi this is your wine guide Peggy with a first post about the history of Wine Auction of the Hospices de Beaune. This year, on the November 18th , Beaune, the wine capital of Burgundy region is having the most important wine event in France and even in the whole world; it’s the 152nd Wine Auction of the Hospices de Beaune.
As I was researching information about this event at their official website, I came across the interesting story about the origin of this auction that I would like to share with you:
At the end of the Hundred Years’ War, in a context of misery and famine, Nicolas Rolin, chancelor of the Duke of Burgundy, Philippe le Bon, and his spouse, Guigone de Salins, created a hospital and refuge for the poor and needy. In 1443 the Hospices de Beaune was born.
In 1452 the Hôtel-Dieu, welcomed its first patient. From then on and up to the 20th century, the Sisters of the Hospices de Beaune took care of the sick, elderly, disabled and needy. The last sick person left the Hôtel-Dieu in 1983. Read more…