300,000

That's approximately the number of Pol Roger champagne bottles here!

Today we had the most unique and marvelous experience - a tour round the Pol Roger chateau, cellars and bottling plant!

Now that might not sound much to you - however it was a really big deal for us.

First of all Pol Roger champagne holds a very special place in our hearts as it was the champagne that James proposed with Christmas 2003 and has been a firm favourite since.

Then secondly Pol Roger don't do tours.

We were in France on holiday with my family celebrating my parents Ruby Wedding, and James somehow managed to blag an "appointment" there. Quite how he did it I still don't know, but I think he was on a mission!

So we turned up at the alloted time at 1, Rue Henri Le Large, Epernay and were shown into the most amazing salon. We then found out we were going to be joined by two champagne merchants from Italy and Hubert de Billy himself would be showing us round.

Pol Roger is one of only a handful of champagne houses still owned by the founding family - of which Hubert was one! And as it was the last day of working before the summer holidays no-one else was available!

So off we went on a fabulous tour! Deep underground hearing all about the history. Fascinating and just wonderful. And Pol Roger are the only house to hand remuerurage (turn) the champagne bottles - wish I could remember the speed with which they turn them but I do remember it was jaw dropping!

Then to top it all off we had a tasting back in the gorgeous salon - and when I say a tasting it was so much more! A bottle of Vintage, Rose, Chardonnay and the creme de la creme, the Winston Churchill! Between 5 of us! And it would have been rude to say no!

And we didn't pay a single penny! How lucky were we!

So we then proceeded to buy half a dozen Vintage and half a dozen Chardonnay at simply knockdown prices compared to what you pay in the UK.

Then a very very strong coffee and some food before heading back!

A wonderful wonderful day.

Pol Roger website