Ironman makes way for champagne
Last week I received an e-mail from a friend of mine in Champagne and it made me realise again how everything in the Champagne region revolves around champagne.
With the mild winter and absence of early Spring frosts, the vines are developing apace and it has recently been announced that the harvest, which would normally take place in the second half of September, will in fact be happening this year in late August.
This is early by anyone’s standards and it seems that global warming is having an effect in Champagne as everywhere else. However the purpose of my friend’s e-mail was to tell me that the change in the dates for the harvest has meant that the dates of a major sporting event have had to be moved too, so as not to clash with the harvest.
The Raid Epernay – Champagne is a two day challenge ( now September 22 & 23rd ) that involves canoeing, cross-country cycling and running. There are several categories for young and not so young, for leisure athletes and for serious Ironmen. Whilst I’ve never done this particular event I have done a lot of biking and cross country running in the area and I can assure you that there is some beautiful and unspolit country in this part of France that is best seen on foot, or on a bike.
So, if you’re at all tempted take a look at www.raid-champagne.org
If you’re planning to travel to Champagne as a tourist in late August, the early harvest could be a blessing and a nuisance too. It’s fascinating to see the hive of acivity that engulfs the entire region during the harvest, but it also means that the champagne makers, especially the smaller ones, have less time to welcome visitors. Still you can always grab a bottle and a baguette and watch the harvest workers as you eat your picnic in peace and dream of your sporting achievements in the Raid Champagne – some other year maybe.
P.S. you may be wondering why I write Champagne with a capital letter sometimes and without the capital at other times. Well, the convention is that Champagne with a capital C refers to the region of Champagne whilst the same word with a small c refers to the drink produced in that region.
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