Month: May 2010

Bud break In Champagne-Ardenne (Aube)

A new cycle is under way – the vines are budding vigorously. The winter has been long and cold, with a very short spring this year. The current weather is more summer-related, and the sudden growth of the vegetation is exceptional – local growers believe unprecedented!

To date, there has been no frost this year and it looks like it will hold off – the traditional wait is May 11, 12 or 13 (days renowned for potential frost – Saints de Glace).

The buds look like brilliant green butterflies on the vines. The clusters are beginning to appear and the campaign of protection against mildew will be commencing soon…..a new cycle is under way….

Photography by Ryan Ebner

Top Five Airport Lounges

Cathay Pacific’s “The Wing” at Hong Kong International Airport, Hong Kong

43,000-square-foot open-air space; private cabins with bed and shower; full-service day spa; complimentary WiFi; four restaurants, and a library.

British Airways First Class Concorde Room at Heathrow Airport, England

Full-service lounge with Swarovski crystal chandeliers; members-only personal concierge; Elemis Spa; a champagne bar and private cabanas-hotel-style rooms with a day bed, and en-suite bathroom.

Air France l’Espace Premiere Lounge at Charles de Gaulle International Airport, France

Clarins massages, a business center; and a complementary champagne; prior to departure, members make their way to their plane by chauffeured Mercedes.

Lufthansa First Class Lounges at Frankfurt Airport, Germany

Upscale spa with exotic treatments; “quiet rooms” with enclosed leather day beds and Bang and Olufsen music systems; a cigar lounge and six shower rooms. Members make their way to their plane in a Porsche Cayenne.


Qatar Airways Premium Terminals at Doha International Airport, Qatar

Members are greeted by a porter who will take their bags; free nanny service and Wii consoles are available; full spa services are available and Qatar Airways provides secretarial services.