We had a GH Martel champagne guided cellar tour and tasting booked since last December and I recently received an email advising that Martel can no longer offer guided tours of their cellars and for "customer security have decided to close our cellars for an undetermined time".
I'm curious if others have found this to be a recent trend with other champagne houses that offer cellar tours? Sounds to me like they have become aware of a security threat.
cynical me assumes this is an excuse to get rid of an activity that brings them little revenue and is annoying to provide.
It need not be a specific threat. Given the targeting of tourist activities and sites, such as yesterday's attack in Germany on a soccer team bus, there may be more of these closures as high season approaches.
No need for cynicism. I think they are just being cautious---- a risk management call.
This does sound a bit bizarre, I can't think of many areas that would be easier to secure, and why clients would be in danger down in the caves is beyond me. However, it's certainly their prerogative to give tours or not as they see fit.
Still, my personal opinion is that they're taking a bit of a cop-out--but that's based on exactly ZERO actual knowledge of their information or decision-making!
If they have security concerns, I think there are many things they could do, the easiest of which is to require backpacks and bags stored in lockers on surface. So, yes, it seems to be an odd precaution to cancel the tours entirely and indefinitely.
*EDIT: * I emailed them just now to see if they can provide any additional information on the nature of the circumstance giving rise to their decision. We'll see if they respond.
I'm a bit cynical too, as it doesn't seem likely that Champagne cellars would be on any terrorist lists. These are typically not located in major cities and only have a small number of people on the tours. A scenario like that doesn't provide the same PR shock value as an attack in a large city.
As Kim mentioned, I also have NO knowledge on why they came to this decision, but it seems rather odd.
cynical me assumes this is an excuse to get rid of an activity that brings them little revenue and is annoying to provide.
I wouldn't disagree with that.
I can find no mention on their website about cancelling the tours so I'm glad you emailed them for an explanation. It's possible that the status has changed since you received the email and the cancellation was temporary.
Could it be referring to something not related to terrorism, like heavy rain, flooding, dust... I'm thinking it can be more of a safety thing. In other languages, there is no difference in the word for safety and security.
I think it is entirely possible they decided against doing security checks of backpacks, etc. and chose to discontinue the tours instead. It could be an image thing.
Also, any time you have a gathering or a line forming for security checks it could be deemed a target. These evil people like to focus on cultural icons ( which I believe would include champagne caves) in addition to large crowds. Paris itself is probably getting too difficult so I can imagine them looking elsewhere.
I think MR from Milan is on to something, that the writer/translator used the word security thinking it meant safety. If there was a French version of the text in the email, could you cut and paste it, Peter. We might be able to see from context if it's safety or security.
Yes, absolutely, here's the full email:
*Bonjour,
We are sorry to inform you that we can no longer offer guided tours of our cellars.
For our customers security, we have decided to close our cellar for an undetermined time.
Our shop is still open every day from 10am to 1.00pm and from 2.00pm to 7.00pm.
Tasting sessions are available until 6.00pm. (12€ for a tasting of 3 Champagnes)
We apology for any inconvenience caused.
Thank you for your understanding.
Best regards.
Champagne G.H. Martel
Service Visites et Réceptions
17 rue des Créneaux
51100 REIMS
Tel : 00.33.3.26.82.70.67.
Fax : 00.33.3.2*
I don't think this is a concern about terrorism. Muslims don't drink alcohol therefore any muslim who would try to get there would be immediately suspicious.
Thank Peter. So, no French text and "security" is very vague. Too bad since the cellars go back to Gallo-Roman times. I'd want to see them for that reason alone. Now I tend to agree with Janet who is a very quick study.
OR, one other scenario: costly safety upgrades imposed after an inspection. After all, Gallo-Roman 50 BC to 486 AD, might not meet modern, new EU standards, even if it has been fine in previous centuries.
A review on TripAdvisor written a week ago says there is a sign saying that the cellar is now closed "for safety reasons." ( Not security).
Safety and security are not just about preventing terror attacks and all safety and security concerns are not driven by terrorism. And it does not have to be a play to stop cellar tours because they are not moneymakers. Why are the first thoughts are negative as opposed to thinking that Martel has been doing tours for years and giving them the benefit of the doubt? It could be that there was something damaged in the cellars and allowing visitors in right now is not a good idea while whatever happened is repaired. Or something else is damaged and they are using the cellars for storage because the other damaged space is unavailable.
I tend to agree with possible damge and repairs. Perhaps Martel is just making renovations. Those caves tend to crumble from time to time. It's a never-ending process against time and nature.
well anyway, the good news is that there are plenty of other producers who are still offering tours, and presumably you still have enough time to reserve elsewhere.
I agree that it may indeed be that they've had some more (what we would think of as) safety-related issue -- i.e. something infrastructure-wise that has led them to deem that they're better off not having visitors for the time being.
Enjoy your visit to Champagne!
Mystery solved. This from Martel by email this morning in response to my inquiry as to the closure:
"Bonjour,
The safety standards in France has changed at the beginning of the year and we must do some works in our cellars before to open again to the public.
We apology for any inconvenience caused.
Thank you for your understanding.
Champagne G.H. Martel
Service Visites et Réceptions"
They could have just said that in the original message and we wouldn't have to have this conversation!
Anyway, mystery solved.
True Mark, but it was fun getting to know you all a little better!
We're down on the Côte d'Azur now on the home stretch of the vacation anyway so no more opportunity for Champagne cellar tours this year.
Peter
