I was invited to go on the Champagne Academy in June 1964, sponsored by G H Mumm, whose UK agents at the time were De Ville & Co Ltd.

In those days there were only 12 Grandes Marques Houses.

One particular memory I have was being driven in Madam Roederer's Cadillac by her chauffeur around the once Rheims Grande Prix track, touching 100mph on our way to the Rheims Golf Club for lunch.

I became Chairman in 1973 and our Annual Dinner was held at The Savoy Hotel. Over the years in the Wine Trade I have represented Pommery & Greno, Ruinart, Veuve Clicquot and Joseph Perrier (not part of the Grandes Marquees).

Enjoying most of all, drinking Mumm, Cordon Rouge.

Eight of us held a 30th Anniversary Reunion Dinner at Boodles Club in London

in 1994. Then in 2014, 4 of us held a 50th Anniversary Reunion lunch again at Boodles and in November last year the same 4 met up again to celebrate 55 years. Long may it continue and flourish