Some experiences feel special from the moment you arrive. Our evening at Manoir de Verzy, Veuve Clicquot’s private property in the Grand Cru village of Verzy, was one of them.
We travelled by private transfer, everyone beautifully dressed for an evening of refinement in the Montagne de Reims. On arrival, the Veuve Clicquot team welcomed us with trays of champagne before leading us into the Manoir’s glorious gardens, which overlook the landscape and vineyards of Verzy.
Glass in hand, we wandered through the immaculate grounds and sustainably managed vegetable garden. Much of what is grown there is harvested for use in dishes prepared at the Manoir, creating a wonderful connection between the garden, the kitchen and the experience of the wines.
There was time simply to enjoy being there. We played pétanque, explored the formal French gardens and took the Manoir’s bicycles for a leisurely ride around the grounds. It was relaxed and playful but underpinned by the unmistakable elegance and vibrant energy of Veuve Clicquot.
We paused over glasses of Extra Old Extra Brut, a champagne that offers a fascinating insight into the depth of the Maison’s reserve-wine library. Composed from multiple older vintages and led by Pinot Noir, it is an expression of time as much as place - a reminder of the patient work required to build complexity, texture and continuity through a sophisticated reserve-wine system.
Alongside it came freshly shucked oysters sourced from a small and exclusive area near Bordeaux. Served outdoors in the evening light, they provided a beautifully saline counterpoint to the champagne and gave us another reason to slow down and absorb our surroundings.
We then moved inside, where we were welcomed by one of Veuve Clicquot’s winemakers, who hosted us throughout dinner.
The table was dressed with botanicals reflecting the colour, vibrancy and distinctive personality of Veuve Clicquot. The dinner itself had genuine heart and soul: thoughtful dishes, beautifully presented, accompanied by a succession of champagnes that gradually revealed different dimensions of the Maison. Then came the final bottle: a jeroboam of La Grande Dame 1993.
It brought together so much of what I want my Signature Journeys to offer: privileged access, generosity, discovery and experiences that could never be replicated by following an ordinary itinerary.
Our evening at Manoir de Verzy was elegant without being formal, joyful without feeling staged and deeply connected to the identity of Veuve Clicquot. Among a journey filled with remarkable moments, our guests later described it as one of the greatest highlights.
For me, it was one of those rare evenings when every detail felt aligned - the place, the people, the wines and the atmosphere. Truly magical, and impossible to forget.
Champagne is easy to visit, but experiencing it from the inside is something else entirely. Experience Champagne, my way.
Sara Underdown
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