| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| HTA ID | HTA-0447 |
| Title | Champagne Cellars of Reims — Paris Week |
| Date | c. 1980–1981 |
| Date Confidence | MODERATE — PM Magazine international travel week; the Paris/France week format and department structure confirm the period |
| Program | PM Magazine (Paris/France Week) |
| Station | WDVM-TV (formerly WTOP-TV), Channel 9, Washington DC |
| Duration | ~8:00 (estimated from transcript) |
| Format | Travel feature |
Part of PM Magazine's France Week, Henry visits the champagne cellars of Reims (likely Moët & Chandon or a similar major house) to explore how champagne is made. The piece covers the production process, the history of champagne-making in the region, and includes tastings of premium champagnes.
Henry notes that imported champagne is expensive in the United States because it's taxed as a luxury item — "Now, I don't think that's fair. Champagne isn't a luxury. It's a necessity of life." The piece is part of a multi-day France series that also included Calvin Klein in Paris and upcoming stories on Monte Carlo casinos and Cheech and Chong.
The co-host banter at the end reveals Henry developed a taste for fine champagne during the shoot — "an expensive taste" — and teases the next night's Monte Carlo story.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| People | Henry Tenenbaum (host), co-host (Karen, likely Karen Adams) |
| Organizations | WDVM-TV, PM Magazine |
| Locations | Reims, France (champagne cellars); Paris, France |
| Subjects | Champagne, wine production, luxury goods, French culture, travel |
| Themes | International travel, luxury, French heritage, food and drink |
| Tone | Sophisticated, playful, travelogue |
"Champagne isn't a luxury. It's a necessity of life."
"The reason that imported champagne is so expensive in the United States is because it's taxed as a luxury item."
"A perfect place to drink champagne is on the French Riviera and Monte Carlo, and that's where we're gonna take you tomorrow night."
Shot on location in the champagne region of France as part of PM Magazine's international travel week. The piece required significant production logistics — transporting crew to France for a multi-day shoot. The co-host banter at the end suggests this was part of a live or semi-live studio wrap with Karen Adams. Part of a France Week that included multiple stories across Paris, Reims, and Monte Carlo.
| Type | Reference |
|---|---|
| Series | PM Magazine France/Paris Week |
| Related | HTA-0448 Calvin Klein in Paris (same tape, same week) |
| Era | PM Magazine/WDVM period (1979–1981) |
| Theme | International travel stories (see also England Week, Tahiti) |
| Tape | HN_36 — Paris week tape |
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Source File | HN_36 Paris.txt |
| Alternate Files | None identified |
| Source Location | /transcript_working/!transcript macwhisper/ |
| Transcription Quality | Good — clear audio, some ambient cellar noise |
| Repository Status | Preserved |
The champagne cellars of Reims are a major tourist attraction and the heart of French champagne production. The region includes famous houses like Moët & Chandon, Veuve Clicquot, Taittinger, and Pommery, all of which offer cellar tours. Henry's observation about the luxury tax on champagne reflects the trade politics of the early 1980s. This piece, along with the Calvin Klein interview and the teased Monte Carlo story, demonstrates the ambitious international scope of PM Magazine's travel features — sending crews to France for week-long series.