In her little cabinet

Is where the Killer Queen kept her Moet et Chandon and we had the key to the cabinet today!

It's Philip's 23rd birthday today and he hardly looks a day over 22!

This was just one of the 20 million or so bottles they produce every year in Epernay. I've never stopped in that area, only travelling through the Marne by train. However, I have seen the 'methode champenoise' practised in the caves of St.Emillion, near Bordeaux. Basically, the champagne type bottle are placed in racks, with the cork end slanted downwards at about 45 degrees. Every day, some poor soul has to make their way round the tens of thousands of bottles there and twist them round about a quarter turn, I think if I remember, to dislodge any sediment.

Only the wine from the Champagne region can be called that, others have to label it methode champenoise or traditionelle, - hushed tones - even though I think they taste just as good and are a fraction of the cost .

Moet is the chosen champagne of the Queen, but I know that Churchill preferred Pol Roger. We really don't mind either in this house.