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After Jolly’s Drive Inn , Heather, Teddy, and I drove back to West Chester, Ohio, to the National Voice of America Museum of Broadcasting. It was quite an impressive place, and we had a private tour with Bob. This non-profit is a museum constructed in the original Voice of America Bethany Relay Station. It was opened during World War II and operated from 1944-1994. In addition to the memorabilia and historic information provided on VOA, the rooms go on to explain how local Powel Crosley Jr.’s broadcasts led to his interest in investing in radio and television design. The stories within the walls as well as materials in the National Voice of America Museum of Broadcasting are fascinating. I strongly recommend finding time to visit this place. It is also wheelchair accessible. I had no problem wheeling through all of it. Our schedule had us back at the hotel for a two-hour rest, but as often happens on these media trips, we were running late all day. We just had enough time for me to put...
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Learning About Perrier Jouet As I Leave France

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A previous engagement kept me from accompanying the rest of my group to Epernay on a visit to the Perrier Jouet Champagne House.  Epernay had been a classic stop on my October trip to France so I was familiar with this champagne filled city, but wanted to learn more about this brand and its history.

Though the wine and spirits giant Pernod Ricard now owns Perrier Jouet, it still bears the legacy of the family it came from in 1811.  The house includes extensive caves which housed many fine champagnes, as well as Italian prisoners during the war.  Most of all, it is filled with tradition founded by Pierre-Nicolas Perrier and Rose Adelaide Jouët on Avenue de Champagne in Epernay, now home to an abundance of champagne houses. 

Before I left France, I did have a chance to sit with Cellar Master Herve Deschamps who told me about what makes Perrier Jouët stand out from the rest, “It’s a family work ethic,” he said, “to preserve the quality and maintain the same style.”  The vineyards, which are owned by the company, are known for not only their quality, but their consistency.  “When you have a good location,” acknowledges Deschamps, “it’s easy to make good wine.”

Herve Deschamps began learning how to make Perrier Jouët in 1983, when he began working under Andre Bavaret.  He says Bavaret was “like a father” to him and he worked with him to learn how to make his own blend.  Deschamps still gives most of the credit to the grapes the house owns. With these grapes, Deschamps is able to relay on “the chardonnay, with a touch of pinot meunier, to marry the chardonnay to the pinot noir.”
In addition to the introduction of Daniel Ashram’s legacy artwork for the Bi-Centenaire of Perrier Jouët, a cellar in the champagne’s house has been set apart with 100 magnums of Fleur de Champagne 1998. They are stored under the best possible conditions, awaiting their opening in 100 years.
Every trip to France is filled with discovery for me as it is a country so rich in the history of wine – and champagne.  I am grateful I had a chance to celebrate with Perrier Jouet and I look forward to returning to France soon.  Until then, Au revoir…

Don’t miss any of my wine and spirit travels around the world.
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