Tour de Champagne

Lance Armstrong sipped champagne while cycling around the Champs-Élysées. He did so seven times, as a matter of fact, because that’s what happens when you win the Tour de France seven times. Only a few people will ever know what that’s like, but don’t despair. There’s another tour that almost anyone can take part in, and it’s right here in America. Nine years ago, Richard Marble founded the Tour de Champagne, an event that’s become a favorite of champagne lovers. The first Tour was held in Washington, D.C., the most recent was held in Atlanta. It was snowing that night, but hundreds of champagne aficionados packed into the Ritz-Carlton to take part in the Tour. A variety of prestigious brands were featured, including Jean Pierre La Louelle, Dom Perignon, Ruinart and Veuve Clicquot. To finish any Tour, you have to keep your energy up, and for that purpose some of Atlanta’s most talented chefs were on hand. Joining the Tour de Champagne this year was Roland Mesnier, who has been White House executive pastry chef for 25 years. He met with attendees and also signed from his new book, “All The Presidents’ Pastries.” Sponsor Air France donated a pair of plane tickets for a lucky raffle winner, and the French connection was completed with the honored appearance of French General Consul Phillippe Ardanaz. Participating restaurants included Atlanta Grill, ENO, Food 101, Joel, Repast, Steel, The Sun Dial Restaurant, Bar & View, Geisha House, Dolce and Nikolai’s Roof and Shaun’s. Flat Creek Lodge in nearby Swainsboro, Ga., introduced its line of new artisanal cheeses, as well as its Dane Hubert, its head cheese maker. No yellow jersey, but what a night. As Shayne Walsey, president of Urban Enterprises, put it, “It was the first time I’ve had the opportunity to figure out what I actually like when it comes to bubbles.”Next stop for the Tour de Champagne: Boston.