Mostly Champagne and sparkling wines (plus other things that catch my eye), by Heather Dougherty
This November, Champagne co-operative Jacquart launched the new edition of its prestige cuvée - Alpha 2012. The co-operative's member growers draw on fruit from 300ha of vines across 60 villages in the appellation. 2012 is a good quality vintage with a charming combination of ripeness and freshness. While 2012's will undoubtedly age well (and of … Continue reading The new vintage of Champagne Jacquart’s Cuvée Alpha
Everyone loves a bargain, and consumers' lasting infatuation with the wine ranges of discounters Lidl and Aldi is now well established. Lidl's next Wine Tour - a "when it's gone it's gone" selection of wines that will be available for just a couple of months - features wines for Christmas. And Christmas, of course, means … Continue reading Pick of the Christmas fizz at Lidl
There is a host of under the radar Champagne producers and Castelnau is one of my favourites. I recently had the chance to taste a few of their cuvées and here's what I thought. Things you need to know: Champagne Castelnau is a co-operative, making Champagne on behalf of its grower members. They are known … Continue reading Champagne Castelnau
Here's a quick round-up of my favourite sparkling wines and Champagnes from a recent Waitrose tasting. Cave de Turckheim Crémant d'Alsace Cuvée Brut NV - £13.49 Crémant is the name for traditional method fizz made outside the Champagne region in France. Each producing region's crémant has its own character, thanks to the use of local … Continue reading Top picks from Waitrose
We've got fairly used to the idea that Lidl is a good source of well-priced wines for everyday enjoyment. Their Wine Tours especially offer up some good value, and often interesting , bottles in the £7-10 bracket. But when it comes to a bottle of Champagne, that signifier of celebration, would your thoughts immediately turn … Continue reading A Lidl Champagne?
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
A one-stop festive fizz must buy list.
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
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
Fizzicality 