Memories of the 2025 Academicians
- Champagne Academy
- 11 hours ago
- 9 min read
The diary of the 2025 Champagne Academy course as told by our academicians. If you would like to apply for 2027, follow the link to our applications page.
Prologue - Min Yee TSEU
Our travel day to The Champagne Academy started off with a pop (!) at 10am at the Searcy’s Champagne Bar at St Pancras - what a fantastic way to begin. Having learnt a bit about what was in store for us from Rob, Marcus and Martin, off they sent us on the Eurostar with a takeaway magnum of Veuve Clicquot Rosé.
Two trains and a bus ride later, we got to meet the rest of “Vintage 2025” at our hotel in Dizy before being whisked away to 1 Michelin starred ‘Le Royal Champagne’ for the official welcome party by all our 16 Grandes Marques hosts. Luck was on our side as the sun made an appearance for our evening on the terrace with, arguably, one of the best views in the region. We were treated to Champagne from eight of the Houses that came with its own perfectly-paired canapé, with highlights including a Japanese-inspired broth, Dijon mustard-seasoned beef tartare, and miso-cured lobster.
All in all, an absolutely phenomenal start to what I can only imagine will be one of the best weeks of my life - bring on the adventure..!
Day 1 - Mariana
We had an exciting but busy first day. We started it with the first lecture of the week: “Champagne: The Framework”. Louise Rossignon (Heidsieck & Monopole), Celeste Spano, (Bollinger) and Sebastien Lebon (Perrier Jouët) helped us understand the history and the tradition behind centuries of winemaking in the region.
After that, we visited la Maison Belle Epoque, at Perrier Jouët, guided by Sebastien Lebon and Fabyola Soares. The finesse and beauty at the Maison is truly enchanting. The unique Art Nouveau inspiration is stamped in every room. From sculptures, to paintings, each corner of the house shows the family’s passion for art, nature and, of course, Champagne. We got a lend of some cashmere scarfs to dive deep into their cellars.
The chalk walls are charming and majestic, and were a reminder of how important chalk is for the champagne terroir. We tasted Belle Epoque Blanc de Blancs 2017 and Belle Epoque 2016 with cellar master Sévérine Frerson. By focusing on the Chardonnay grape, Sévérine maintains a tradition of keeping Perrier Jouët complex, fresh, delicate, and floral in style. We then had lunch at the maison paired with Perrier Jouët Rosé, Blanc de Blancs and Grand Brut.
We headed straight to Champagne Bollinger for a tour of their cellars. Bollinger are proud of still being a family owned house. The bold red colour and wood decorations at the main hall are a clue that what’s to come is also a bold, robust, and rich Champagne.
Lucie, our guide, shared with us the behind the scenes of their winemaking processes, their love for Pinot Noir, and emphasized that the main secret for their wines’s success is TIME. We were lucky enough to see some of their pre-phylloxera vines, a real rarity. And we ended our visit by tasting Bollinger Grand Cuvée, Grand Année 2015, Grand Année Rosé 2015 and Bollinger PN TX 20.
We ended our first day with a picturesque picnic, hosted by Heidsieck & Co Monopole. After visiting some of their vineyards in Bouzy, we walked to the park for our Soirée Guinguette: Girls wearing Polka Dot dresses, guys wearing straw hats and suspenders, and a French musician playing the accordion. We watched the spectacular sunset while tasting some of the house’s finest Champagnes: Monopole Silver Top, Gold Top 2018, and Monopole Imperatrice. And the highlight of the night: Monopole 1985. What an honor to be part of this!
Day 2 - Sinead
Our second day on the Champagne Academy was also our second full day of learning, and the first exam. The content from the day before had been quite detailed, and after a wonderful and lively evening at Heidsieck Monopole the night before, there hadn’t been much time to study. So breakfast that morning was all about cramming. We were all nervously quizzing each other over coffee, trying to make the most of every last minute. None of us really knew what to expect from the exam, and I think we’d all let the pressure build up in our heads. On the bus to the centre of Épernay, the atmosphere was a mix of quiet focus and friendly reassurance.
When we arrived at Moët & Chandon, the exam papers were already waiting for us. Thankfully, it wasn’t as intimidating as I’d feared. The multiple-choice format definitely helped, and once it was over, the mood lifted. We moved straight into a lecture on viticulture and harvests, which I found fascinating, especially covering new technologies being used in the vineyards to support sustainability and improve efficiency.
The afternoon was packed with visits. At Pol Roger, we were welcomed by Hubert de Billy and taken on an in-depth tour of the winery. I was really struck by the fact that everything happens under one roof — from grape reception and pressing to bottling, labelling, HR, and finance. Seeing the full journey of a bottle from start to finish gave me a real appreciation for the scale and precision of the operation. We then travelled to Laurent-Perrier, where one of the winemakers guided us through a focused but comprehensive tasting of their range. The wines were beautiful, and the technical insights added a lot of depth to the experience.
Back at the hotel, we grabbed some beers and sat out in the sun as a group, pulling chairs into a little circle in the garden. That moment of downtime was one of my favourites so far — we had time to relax, chat, and laugh, and of course, we discussed what we were all going to wear that evening. We’d been told the dinner at Moët would be in a particularly beautiful venue, so everyone made an effort. After a quick shower and change, we returned for a talk and tasting with the Chef de Cave of Moët, followed by an exquisite dinner in the stunning Salon Trianon, prepared by a three-Michelin-starred chef, Jean-Michel Bardet. The food was elegant and full of flavour, and so far we’ve all been pleasantly surprised by how balanced and light the meals have been. I managed a quick flick through my notes before bed, trying to hold onto a few last figures and details before the next day’s exam.
Day 3 - Jess
Three jeroboams, chalk pits and karaoke hits
What a morning! We kicked things off with a gorgeous garden walk to the lecture at Charles Heidsieck, soaking up the sunshine and insight from the brilliant Elise Losfelt. Elise shared her thoughts on how growing conditions influence the style and character of their champagnes.
Then came a fantastically approachable tasting session. Elise guided us through five beautiful wines, and no question was left unanswered. We all came away with a deeper understanding—and quite a few new tasting notes to remember!
Next, we dove (literally) into the cellar with the ever-enthusiastic Sophie, who brought the place to life with stories and incredible enthusiasm her passion for Charles Heidsieck is absolutely contagious. She shared her knowledge of best-kept secrets, including their mysterious “fourth grape”… Time! That magical ingredient that gives their wines such incredible depth.
After descending (and later conquering!) 100 steps down into the cellar, we were treated to our first jeroboam of the trip—accompanied by a perfect cheese pairing, of course. Lunch was another standout, with Sophie and Sebastian keeping us entertained with stories of the house’s history, dating all the way back to 1851. Did you know that from 2007 they changed their bottle shape to resemble the arch like the one in their historic cave? Neither did we!
And if that wasn’t enough to keep our minds fizzing, we continued the champagne magic at
Pommery.
The grand entrance welcomed us with a giant bench (yes, we definitely sat on it), setting the tone for what turned out to be an unforgettable visit. Flo took us on a fun-filled tour, complete with quiz points for every correct answer—who says learning can’t be playful? We visited the walled vineyards watched over by Vitibots (yes, robots!) and even a falcon during de-leafing season!
The Pommery cellars were full of surprises, not least the funky and fabulous artwork tucked between ancient chalk walls. Then came our tasting with Clémont and Baptiste, where we had the privilege of sampling their new 1874 blanc de blancs and—cheers to us—our second jeroboam of the day!
Dinner we dined on the terrace watching the sun go down over the gates. To say we were spoilt was an understatement not only the warmth of the hospitality from the team but to provide us with such once in a lift time champagnes will be a night I will never forget also marking the third Jeroboam of the day this time 1990!
Dinner wrapped up the day with more laughter, incredible food, and the ongoing joy of rotating seats. It's been such a treat getting to know everyone in the cohort better over these meals—so many connections, shared stories, and future toasts waiting to happen.
We were on such a high from the evening so on the coach back Nadia jumped on the microphone to start off our own karaoke bus! This led to finding a karaoke bar! We all took it in turns to bellow our favourite tunes we partied all night long!
Day 4 - Jim
Day Four of the Champagne Academy 2025 was nothing short of extraordinary. A trio of Grand Marques took centre stage today, beginning with the bold elegance of Piper-Heidsieck, followed by the golden heritage of our Presidential House, Veuve Clicquot, and culminating in an unforgettable evening immersed in the world of Champagne Krug, hosted by Olivier Krug himself – wow, indeed!
Despite a slightly trickier morning exam—perhaps influenced by last night’s exuberant karaoke escapades—our spirits were high, fuelled by anticipation and deep appreciation for the generosity and magic the Champagne region has shared with us thus far.
First stop: Piper-Heidsieck, where we were warmly welcomed by Dominique for a morning tasting overlooking the heart of the winery. A house known for its bold Pinot Noir-led blends, Piper-Heidsieck showcased their signature style of power, structure, and balance. This was a beautifully immersive moment to delve into their expressive, fruit-driven Champagnes and the meticulous craftsmanship behind each cuvée.
Next, we had the distinct honour of visiting the legendary Hotel du Marc, the private mansion of Veuve Clicquot, our Presidential House. This stunning residence—once home to Madame Clicquot herself—offered a rare window into the soul of the house.
Talented winemaker Louise guided us through the vinification of Veuve Clicquot’s still red wines, which are central to the creation of their celebrated rosés, including the prestigious La Grande Dame Rosé. Tasting the vin clair alongside magnum expressions of the final Champagnes was an education in both precision and elegance.
Our final stop took us deep into the expressive world of Maison Krug. Excitement was palpable as we arrived at their hidden lodge in the Premier Cru village of Trépail—once a humble tool shed, now a tribute to terroir and time. A serene and reflective tasting set the stage for what was to come.
The evening brought us into the heart of Krug: their Maison in Reims. Here, we toured the cellars, experienced a rare tasting of the Krug Vintage 2011, and were then treated to an exceptional dinner hosted by Olivier Krug himself. The menu, crafted by Michelin-starred chef Arnaud Lallement, was inspired by Krug’s philosophy of celebrating “one ingredient, one dish”, echoing the House’s singular focus on individuality. Each pairing brought Krug’s commitment to precision and personality to life in spectacular fashion.
A heartfelt thank you to our generous hosts at Piper-Heidsieck, Veuve Clicquot, and Krug, and to my fellow Candidates, whose passion, curiosity, and camaraderie continue to elevate this journey.
What a day. Merci, Champagne!
Day 5 - Martin
Day 5 of Champagne Academy started in Champagne Lanson where we attended the last lecture. This time focusing on marketing & export of Grand Marques of Champagne this lecture was preented by Kevin McKee Director of Champagne Taittinger in UK & Ireland person that most of academicians are very familiar with. After the lecture we took short journey to Champagne Taittinger where we visited their cellars and finished with tasting of Taittinger 2016 Millesime and Rose Prestige in their brand-new hospitality centre then we headed to Montagne de Reims to a Grand Cru Village of Verzenay.
François Van Aal President of Champagne Lanson welcomed us in their new completely rebuild pressing house. Francois presented
Lanson’s new project that will be offered to individuals to access old vintages from Lanson cellars and treated us to Magnum of 1990 Lanson – Thank you Francois ! Stand up lunch was served in the pressing house with chef preparing the meat in front of us (That Pluma was just delicious !) with Moulin de Verzenay in the background offering perfect scenery. Speaking of Moulin de Verzenay short walk up the hill and we are there for another tasting, this time hosted by G.H. Mumm. After the visit and tasting quick break at the hotel and guess what, another visit ! Actually the very last visit of our trip was to Louis Roederer where we visited their cellars and then followed by an aperitif at the maison’s historical house followed by four course dinner accompanied by special bottles like Cristal 2016 & their Brut Nature
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