I recently decided to join a tour to Reims, to find out more about my favourite tipple, champagne. It was sunny when we arrived and before my eyes were rows and rows of vines. I have always wanted to learn more about the different varieties of champagne that are produced in the region so I was full of anticipation to taste the drink of kings, queens and celebrities.
It was clear, cold and a bit windy as we visited the world-famous producer MUMM, surrounded by the chateau in the heart of town. Once inside the cavernous halls we were taken down to the cellars – damp, mould hanging from the doors and stuck to the walls – perfect conditions for champagne. The narrow tunnels were long and went on for miles.
Visiting a family-run business, I was overwhelmed by the history and love for this demanding, challenging and incredible business, and the family who dedicated everything to it. Step one after the grapes are harvested is the first press, where yeast and sugar are added to the wine then left to mature anywhere from three to ten years depending on whether it is cru, premier cru or vintage. Once bottled, a cap is fitted, and some of the bottles are turned every day by hand to keep the tradition alive but, mostly, machines are used to save time. The bottle eventually goes from horizontal to vertical so all the sediment is pushed to the front of the bottle, which takes days. Once the neck of the bottle has been frozen to form an ice cube, the cap is quickly removed, and the force of the pressure pushes the ice cube out, taking with it all the sediment. The bottle is then topped up, the cork inserted and metal casing added before leaving the bottle to mature for another year or two.
Importance of planning and detail
I was struck by similarities and importance of planning and detail when it comes to making a career change. Just like champagne, transitioning to a new career takes time, patience and self-belief. Spending the necessary time to pull together your achievements is a great first step. Like harvesting the grapes, taking some time every day to add one more story to your achievements means you will soon have lots of examples that you can use to create a picture of your likes and dislikes. The exercise takes time but if you break it down into steps, as they do with the making of champagne, the outcome will be well worth the effort.
Once you have completed this step in the process, think about the skills you used to bring about those achievements and write them down too. Remember, even when the champagne is bottled, it is only one step in the process. Now go back and review the skills you wrote down. Circle the ones you like in green, and the ones you would rather never see again in red. A pattern will emerge, much like the sediment in the champagne bottle. If champagne producers don’t remove the sediment, would you want to drink it? Similarly, why look for another job doing things we don’t like?
How many times do people move from job to job without really knowing what they want to do or be? Be patient, take the time to follow a planning process and, just like champagne, your career will be fulfilling and full of fizz.