Jubilee Visit to Champagne

Added: (Tue May 28 2002)

Pressbox (Press Release) - PRESS RELEASE – 2 JUNE 2002

Celebrating the Jubilee in Champagne

What better way for British citizens to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Her Majesty The Queen, than to raise a glass in tribute to their monarch, and where better place to do that, than the source of the world’s most famous celebratory tipple – Champagne-Ardennes in France.

That’s just what this group from the City of London is doing. On a trip organised by The Wine & Food Academy and the Billingsgate Ward Club, 48 individuals are determined to wine and dine in style during their 3-day Jubilee visit to the region. The group will visit the Champagne houses of Mumm in Reims and Maison Autrיau in Champillon, as well as partaking of gourmet meals at the famous restaurants of Maison du Vigneron and Royal Champagne.

Kenneth Harry Putt, Managing Director of the Wine & Food Academy says “I was already planning to come to Champagne for the Academy’s annual visit, but when I discovered that the Queen’s Jubilee was taking place over two UK bank holidays in June, I felt it was perfect timing for the trip.”

The group is made up of adults taking wine appreciation courses (consisting lawyers, doctors, bankers, accountants etc), together with members of the famous City of London Billingsgate Ward Club (founded to support the City’s Corporation and institutions).

Indeed, there are 2 current Aldermen in the group: Alderman Sir Roger Cork (also a past Lord Mayor) & Alderman John Hughesdon), who have to rush back to London on Tuesday 4th June, in order to take part in the ceremonies and festivities at St Paul’s Cathedral, and at Guildhall, where they will be lunching with Her Majesty The Queen later that day!

The current Master of Billingsgate Ward Club, Jo Merth said: “Having just become Master of the Ward Club, I thought it would be great fun to join with the Wine & Food Academy on this trip, to start off my year of office with יlan and panache! You can be assured that we will be joining with our friends from the Houses of Mumm and Autrיau to raise a toast to our long reigning monarch, in the true spirit of good relations between France and the United Kingdom!”

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NOTES FOR EDITORS:

The Wine & Food Academy was established 6 years ago to enhance further the understanding of wine. Students not only learn about wine itself, its varieties and its characteristics, but also how it works in harmonisation with food. Students are usually professional men and women who want to improve their knowledge of the subject. The courses are held in a deliberately informal, seminar format and very interactive, and also a great opportunity to socialise in a convivial atmosphere.

The Billingsgate Ward Club was formed in 1928 by the W H Cork, grandfather of the former Lord Mayor, Sir Roger Cork (who is on this trip). It is one of 25 Wards within the City of London’s Square Mile, and situated just east of Pudding Lane, where the Great Fire began in 1666. Billingsgate is synonymous with fish and the world’s premier fish market. The Club’s most important function is try to support the Lord Mayor and Corporation of London by promoting different facets of City life, whilst holding regular functions and engagements throughout the year.

For more information contact:

Louise Putt
The Wine & Food Academy +44 (0) 20 8675 6172 or email
louise@winefoodacdemy.com
93 Hazelbourne Road, Clapham South, London SW12 9NT

Michele Aupretre
Maison Autrיau +33 (0) 3 26 59 46 00 or email
champagne.autreau@wanadoo.fr