It is a truth universally acknowledged that a Champagne house in possession of ambitions to be taken seriously must be in want of a prestige cuvée. Apologies to Jane Austen - and so many of us contrive to mangle the opening sentence of Pride and Prejudice that I imagine her responding with a distracted and … Continue reading The art of slow Champagne – Bruno Paillard NPU 2004
Author: Heather Dougherty
Stéphane Vignon – an original in Verzenay
The village of Verzenay In the broad sweep of Champagne vineyards which cover the Montagne de Reims , between that city and Epernay to the south, Verzenay is a village name that you might recognize. It's one of Champagne's Grand Cru villages, famous for producing long-lived and powerfully mineral wines predominantly from Pinot Noir. Many … Continue reading Stéphane Vignon – an original in Verzenay
What your Valentine gift says about you
It seems a handmade card will no longer suffice to show our devotion to the object of our affections on Valentine's Day. Now it's not the thought that counts – a gift seems to be in order. What to get your Valentine? Handbag? As my husband is doubtless painfully aware, even I can’t find the … Continue reading What your Valentine gift says about you
Ultimate festive fizz guide
A one-stop festive fizz must buy list.
New Wave Champagne
London's unofficial wine trade social club, 67 Pall Mall, today played host to the third edition of New Wave Champagne - a day of tasting dedicated to domaine (grower) Champagnes and family-owned "grower minded" Champagne houses. It was a great opportunity to taste Champagnes from producers who are making the running when it comes to … Continue reading New Wave Champagne
Franciacorta, fine Italian fizz
Intent on letting us know that there is more to Italian sparkling wine than the sweetish, straightforward charms of Prosecco, the makers of Franciacorta are on a charm offensive in the UK. Who's the daddy? The model for the wines of Franciacorta, in the region of Brescia, Lombardy, is not its fresh and fruity northern … Continue reading Franciacorta, fine Italian fizz
Mirabeau la Folie
On the day that Spring finally arrives in the UK, so, with perfect timing, does this sparkling rosé from Provence. I feel the Cronk family behind the Mirabeau range of wines must have gone into a marketing huddle, brainstorming how to target the intersection in the Venn diagram of people who love Provence rosé and … Continue reading Mirabeau la Folie
Review of Bursting Bubbles by Robert Walters
Yet another book about Champagne? Yes, but this is no encyclopaedia covering a recap of the history of the region, the development of the traditional method and a rundown of the big names of Champagne. As Walters makes clear in his introductory chapter, Disclaimers, this is not a textbook, covering all aspects of the region … Continue reading Review of Bursting Bubbles by Robert Walters
Champagne Castelnau’s smart new clothes
Champagne Castelnau, one of the region's largest co-operatives, unveiled smart new livery for its cuvées this week at Sakagura Japanese restaurant in London. I discovered Castelnau's Champagnes only a year ago and was impressed by the range - from the well-balanced freshness of its Brut Réserve and classy Blanc de Blancs, to the understated power … Continue reading Champagne Castelnau’s smart new clothes
