Its been a week and a half since the Wine and Law Program, and its great to revisit the events of that week. After an amazing weekend where we went to three different Champagne maisons, had a grower Champagne tasting, played on a swing in a 2,000 year old Gallo Roman chalk cave, and shook hands with Hollande and Merkel (seriously – more on the weekend later) the week just got better.
Our new lecturer for the week was Barton Seldon of Gartenberg, Gelfand, Hayton, & Seldon LLP. His lectures on the International Protection of Wine Trademarks and Geographical Indications were fascinating. We also continued learning about EU wine law from Professor Theodore Georgeopoulos. Both professors made our long day of classes very interesting and the time flew by. I really enjoyed Prof. Georgeopoulos’ case studies and Prof. Selden’s stories and examples.
Much like the first week, this week was not all classes. We visited a wine cooperative in the Cote de Blanc in the town of Vertus. Visiting La Goutte D’Or was a treat as the person giving us our tour was also the winemaker. He gave us a tour of their facility and taught us a bit about winemaking. After traipsing around their facility, we tasted their Paul Goerg line of Champagne. 
We also visited Veuve Cliquot-Ponsardin in Reims and Moet et Chandon in Epernay. Both caves were beautiful. Veuve Cliquot’s marketing impressed many of us. Veuve’s caves are, like many in Reims, made from 2,000 year old chalk caves. This is in stark contrast to Moet et Chandon’s newer cellars in Epernay.
Caves at Veuve Cliquot
The Caves at Moet et Chandon
Our class tasting at Moet et Chandon in Epernay
After so much wine tasting, our final was on Friday. We all passed and celebrated at Veuve Cliquot’s Caveau St. Petersburg. Until my program in Reims, I did not think that I could combine my passion for wine and my law degree. This program showed me that I could (shockingly) love the law and work in the wine industry I love. Through my professors and my classmates, I found exactly what I want to do and it feels awesome. So a big thank you to my professors, Tracy Genesen, Steve Charters, Barton Selden, and Theodore Georgeopolous. There are many roads which lead to wine, thank you for showing me the right path. To my classmates, I am amazed at the things you have taught me and I am so grateful to have a wine family all over the world. As a good friend once quoted “A farewell is necessary before we can meet again, and meeting again, after moments or a lifetime is certain for those who are friends.” See you guys soon!
For more information about the Wine & Law Summer Program:
Université de Reims Wine & Law Program Website
Lindsay, the writer behind a great wine law blog – On Reserve - wrote about her experience during the 2011 program
If you are planning on going next year…
Renting a flat: I used homelidays, you can also find a flat on airbnb, appartager, homeaway. Stay near city center, being on the tram line is very convenient. The program is held at the Croix Rouge campus ten minutes away from the centre of town.
Dress code: business casual – girls bring flats as climbing down into a 2,000 year old chalk cave is not easy!
Places to eat: Au Bon Manger was by far the class favorite, we ate there a lot! We also liked Café du Palais, Au Bilot, Bistrot du Forum, La Trattoria, and La Grande Cafe.
I will be posting more about my classes and about Champagne in general over the next few weeks…after I go through my notes again! Being back in law school after a two-year hiatus was tough!
