1879 Facts About Champagne and Other Sparkling Wines

87

The Reims Establishments.

fortifications of the city were from time to time razed, their site was levelled and generally planted with trees, so that t he older quarters of Reims are almost encircled by broad n.nd handsome thoroughfares, separating the city, as it were, from its outlying suburbs. In or close to the broad Boulevard du Temple, which takes its name from its proximity to the site of the ancient Commanderie of the Ternplars, various champagne manufac– turers, including M. Louis Roederer, M. Ernest Irroy, a nd M. Charles Heidsieck, have their establishments, while but a few paces off, in the neighbouring Rue Coquebert, are the large · and handsome premises of Messrs. Krug ancl Co. The offices of M. Ernest Irroy, who is 1..JJ.own in Reims not merely as a large champagne grower and shipper, but -n.lso as a distinguished amateur of the fine arts, taking a leading part in originating local exhibitions and the like, are attached to his private residence, a handsome mansion flanked by a large and charming 'garden in the Bouleva rd du Temple. The laying out of this sylvan oasis is due to T1L Vadre, the head gardener of the city of Paris, who contributed so largely to the picturesque em– bellishment of the Bois de Boulogne. M. Irroy's establishment, which comprises a considerable range of buildings gro}1pecl around two courtyards, is immediately adjacent, although its principal entrance is in the Rue de la Justice. The vast celliers, covering an area of upwards of 3,000 square yards, and either stocked with wine in cask or used for packing and similar purposes, afford the 'r equisite space for carrying on a most extensive business. The cellars beneath comprise three stories, two of which are solidly roofed and lined with masonry, while the lowermost one is excavated in t he chalk. They are admirably constructed on a symmetrical plan, and their t otal surface is very little short of 7,000 square'· yards. Spite of t he great depth to which these cellars descend they are perfectly dry, the ventilation is good, and their temperature moreover is remark– ahly cool, one result of which is that M . Irroy's loss from breakage never exceeds four per cen t. per annum. .M. Irroy holds a high position as a vrneyard-pr<)prietor in the. Champa.gnc, his