Germany has been in lock down mode since November, and I am feeling the quarantine fatigue. Restaurants have been closed for dining, so we haven’t gone out to eat since October, and the only stores open are pharmacies and grocery stores. Last February, we went to Porto and Milan. This year, we have been stuck at home (minus the grocery store outings), and the travel bug is so big! I have been trying to find something fun and unique to keep us entertained at home, and I’m so glad I stumbled upon Sparkling Tour Reims.
Sparkling Tour is a champagne tour company in Reims, France. Typically, they do half day tours, full day tours, and private tours of the Champagne region and independent winegrowers. Of course, due to COVID they have not been able to continue their tours, so they have come up with their new Sparkling Experience. What I love about this experience is that they are more than just a typical virtual wine/champagne tasting. You pick from their six packages, and then they send the bottles of champagne right to your door. They also send you videos of the champagne making process and of the bottles that you are tasting.
What I love about Sparkling Tour’s style of “at-home tasting” experience:
- The bottles are delivered to your door, so you don’t have to venture out to different wine shops to find the right bottles
- The videos show you wineries and cellars, which you don’t usually get to see in Zoom tastings
- I learned so many fun facts while learning about the champagne making process
- Since these are videos, you can watch and taste at your own pace, and at your own timing. This was important to us since we have an eight week old with an unpredictable schedule
For Valentines Day, we set up some tables by the fireplace with a charcuterie board and champagne. We bought Package #2 “The Half Way” and tasted the first three bottles that night. I love that the videos walk you through the tasting (the grapes, the smells, the tastes, etc.) and the food pairings. My favorite champagne of the night, Champagne Voirin Jumel, pairs well with oysters, fish, and of course fresh air. He’s not wrong – I could drink that every day!
The Sparkling Tour at home Sparkling Experience was a fun, unique activity to help fill the void we’ve been feeling from Germany’s tight lockdown. It reminded us of our Burgundy wine tour in Beaune, France. Although not the same as touring in person, it gave us a glimmer of excitement for the day we will get to visit the Champagne region in France. Also, Sparkling Tour ships throughout Europe and to the US! They gave me a promo code for anyone who wants to try a package. Just tell them LAURA10 for 10% off your order!! Check out their packages here.
Aww Laura .. what a wonderful idea! Lov Lov Lov the setting by the fireplace. And wine tasting … will surprise your Uncle John one day. ???