During your exclusive stay you will be submersed 113ft below in Veuve Clicquot’s Art of Ageing
Calling all champagne lovers! This June, Maison Veuve Clicquot is offering the opportunity to embark on a once in a lifetime exclusive voyage as part of a 50-year ageing experiment.
For the very first time, Veuve Clicquot is inviting a small group of travellers to journey from Reims to the Åland archipelago, between Sweden and Finland – all in the name of the Art of Ageing.
A brief history
Known for its prestigious bottles and iconic yellow label, Veuve Clicquot has become a symbol of luxury.
However, underneath the surface, the Champagne Maison has a rich history dating back to the early 19th century.
This history carried through to the 21st Century, when a team of divers discovered a haul of pristinely preserved champagne bottles in a shipwreck at the bottom of the Baltic Sea in 2010.
The vessel dated back to 1840, but the real surprise was that the 168 bottles of Champagne it had been transporting — 47 of which were Veuve Clicquot — remained preserved more than a century later.
Four years after the discovery, Veuve Clicquot began a trailblazing experiment involving bottles of champagne, an absence of light, a consistently cool temperature, and the low saline waters of the Baltic Sea.
The details
Dubbed “Cellar in the Sea,” Veuve Clicquot began the program in 2014 by placing one batch of its Champagne in its chalk cellars in Reims and submerging a second identical set 131 feet below the Baltic Sea’s surface.
Over the course of 40 years, the brand intends to hold several comparative tastings with experts and send samples to oenology universities in Reims and Bordeaux for analysis.
And now, for the very first time, guests are being invited to visit both sites and partake in an exclusive tasting led by chef de cave Didier Mariotti.
About the journey
This exclusive voyage will start at the heart of Maison Veuve Clicquot, in Reims and will continue in the most spectacular landscapes in Åland islands, where the sun never sets.
Chapter one
On 22 June, up to 28 guests (there are just 14 double rooms on offer) will venture to Champagne to begin the journey with a tour of Veuve Clicquot’s historic chalk cellars (tastings included, of course).
Expect lunch in the gardens of Veuve’s private Manoir de Verzy, followed by dinner at Veuve Clicquot’s invite-only mansion, Hôtel du Marc, where there are six rooms available for night one (talk about bucket list!)
The evening will feature free-flowing La Grande Dame – the Veuve’s most prestigious cuvée – and discussions with CEO Jean-Marc Gallot and winemaker Gaelle Goossens, after which those who don’t stay at Hôtel du Marc will retire at La Caserne Chanzy in Reims.
Chapter two
The following day, guests fly to the Åland Islands before hopping aboard the Albanus, a spectactular two-masted schooner.
Journeying to the island of Silverskår will include a lunch prepared by chef Filip Gemzell of Michelin-starred ÄNG. Then, a bright Summer Solstice dinner will include live music, dancing, and a meal by Swedish chef Titti Qvarnstrom, formerly of Michelin-starred Bloom in the Park.
Chapter three – the pièce de resistance
The final day will se guests head to Klobben to discover “Cellar in the Sea’, where a comparative tasting led by Mariotti will feature the four cuvées selected for the groundbreaking experiment.
Expect Yellow Label Brut in 750 mL bottles and magnums, Vintage Rosé 2004, and Demi-Sec – not to mention the exclusive opportunity to taste the crayères and underwater bottles side by side. Magnifique!
Chapter four – not for the faint hearted!
Experienced divers among the group will also get the chance to descend into the sea to examine the Åland Vault, which houses the project’s submerged bottles.
As the trip comes to an end, guests will be delighted with one last gastronomic adventure by decorated chef Mathias Dahlgren before a final toast the next morning.
What’s the damage?
Prices are available upon request, so we can only imagine the cost outlay is quite significant. It’s safe to say we can expect Veuve Clicquot prices!
Tempted? Here’s how to book
Reservations are made through Veuve Clicquot’ partner travel agency, so you’ll need to complete the form to receive a personalised callback and obtain more information about the voyage.
You can book online on the Veuve Clicquot website, or alternatively call the travel agency on +33 6 09 23 26 79.
Summing up
The ‘Cellar in the Sea’ project is undoubtedly one of Veuve Clicquot’s most enchanting initiatives yet.
The first (hopefully of many) journeys is set to introduce guests to submerging bottles of champagne in the Baltic Sea off the coast of Finland in quintessential Veuve Clicquot luxury.
This could be the trip of a lifetime for anyone who loves champagne, history, the ocean, food and ultra-luxe travel experiences (and isn’t short of a penny!)
We definitely think you’d get the most out of this voyage with the required diving certifications to take part in the descend!
Would you splurge on Veuve Clicquot’s ‘Cellar in the Sea’ journey?
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