CELEBRATE WITH CHAMPAGNE – EASY TIPS ON CHOOSING CHAMPAGNE FOR YOUR WEDDING

Selecting the right effervescent is a must for your wedding as it is the first bottle to be opened ….but not all bubbly is the same! While there are many quality sparkling wines produced around the world, true Champagne only comes Champagne France!

CHAMPAGNE STYLES

• Not all Champagne is alike. There are a variety of Champagne styles available, from full to light-bodied, Vintage to Rosé, as well as various levels of sweetness. One fun way of finding out which Champagne is right for your wedding is to host a Champagne tasting party as a bridesmaids’ activity. Using half bottles is a great way to cut costs while exploring the diversity of Champagne.

• Levels of sweetness include: Brut Natural (driest of the dry);
brut (very dry); extra brut (extra dry, but sweeter than brut); sec (medium sweet); demi-sec (sweet, considered a dessert wine) and doux (very sweet, considered a dessert wine) – keep this as a guide when ordering.

• Types of Champagne include: blanc de blancs which is made entirely from the Chardonnay grape. These Champagnes are light, elegant, and refreshing. A richer style is blanc de noir which is made entirely from Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes. This Champagne will have a dark gold color with the slightest tinge of pink, and finally rosé Champagne. The winemaker adds a small amount of Pinot Noir to base the wine blend.

SHOPPING ADVICE

• Having an accurate and up-to-date guest list will assist you when ordering.

• You should plan for 2 glasses of Champagne per guest.

• A bottle of Champagne fills 6 glasses (8 if the flutes are narrow).

• You don’t have to break the bank to serve Champagne at your wedding. This one-of-a-kind wine is available at a wide range of price points.

SERVING

• Champagne should be well chilled – this can be done by placing the bottle in a bucket of ice and water for 30 minutes prior to serving.

• Champagne should be poured in front of guests – part of the pleasure is seeing the bubbles froth up in the glass as it’s poured, and at the same time capturing the aromas.

• Use tall, tulip or flute glasses, which capture and promote bubbles and concentrate its aromas, while improving the experience. Saucer-type glasses should not be used as they cause the bubbles to disappear rapidly and are awkward to hold.

T I P S

• Brut is considered the classic choice.

• If you plan to use Champagne for cocktails choose extra brut Champagne.

• Rosé Champagne with its pink hue not only contributes to the romantic twist of the celebration but also stands out as a unique and memorable alternative.

• In serving a glass of champagne with the wedding cake, I recommend sweeter demi-sec champagne.

• Suggest to the venue manager that you would like to taste the Champagnes before you decide – this is a perfectly reasonable request.

MY PICK

Blanc de Blancs Champagne is a perfect wine for toasts. The name literally means “white of white,” a perfect complement to the wedding gown.

No matter what Champagne you choose, it is certain to add an air of festivity to your special day. After all, Champagne is the quintessential wine of celebration!

Liz Palmer
@Champagnehouses

The start of production for 23rd James Bond film “Skyfall” has been announced. Rumors are flying over which Bollinger Cuvée will be featured.

Following the recent announcement that the 23rd Bond Film will be called “Skyfall” with release date of October 2012, rumors have been flying thick and fast!

Who will be singing the theme song? Will this be Daniel Craig’s last Bond film? Will the budgets equal those lavished on Quantum of Solace?

Craig’s fellow cast members include: Dame Judi Dench, Albert Finney, Javier Bardem, Ralph Fiennes and Ben Whishaw.

Producers have confirmed is that Skyfall will take Bond on another action-packed mission to London, Shanghai, Istanbul and Scotland.

Champagne Bollinger has been Bond’s Champagne of choice since its first appearance on screen in ‘Live and Let Die’ in 1973.

It was Bollinger R.D. 1975 in View to a Kill, and Bollinger R.D. 1969 in Moonraker, both of which Bond recognized by vintage.

The question is which Bollinger Cuvée will be featured in Skyfall?

Liz Palmer
@champagnehouses

TAM AIRLINES INTRODUCES NEW WINE LIST — includes Champagne Drappier La Grande Sendrée

TAM Airlines is offering its passengers a new wine list for long and short haul international flights. Passengers can sample wines that have been selected by Arthur Azevedo, Sommelier, Executive Director of The Brazilian Association of Sommeliers in São Paulo.

“We have selected top-quality wines from famous wine makers such as Jean-Luc Thunevin, Michel Rolland and Denis Dubordieu. With more than 500 options, 16 were selected to pair with dishes offered on the new menu ‘Sabor que faz Bem’ (Flavours That Make You Feel Good), prepared exclusively for TAM’s international flights by Brazilian chef, Bel Coelho,” explains Arthur Azevedo.

For First Class passengers, one of the highlights is Champagne Drappier La Grande Sendrée. This Champagne comes from vineyards that are over 70 years old. With 55% Pinot Noir and 45% Chardonnay this perfectly balanced prestige Champagne certifies power and high expression. The Grande Sendrée is remuée (agitated) entirely by hand and is a reproduction of a 13th century bottle discovered in their Urville cellars.

In a training program developed by Azevedo, the crew members learn the origin and histories of all the wines and Champagnes served on board TAM flights, and also receive a guide to pair the wines.

Japan Airlines (JAL) Launches New First Class Wine List Champagnes include: Salon and Dom Perignon

JAL has been renowned for serving up some of its home nation’s best sake, but now the Tokyo Narita-based airline is taking inflight drinking to a whole new level thanks to a new wine list that includes Champagne Salon.

JAL will be the only airline serving Champagne Salon Vintage 1999 in First Class, which will be on the wine list alongside Champagne Dom Perignon’s Vintage 2003, and 17 other fine wines that span the globe from New Zealand’s Martinborough to California.

Fellow expat countryman and winemaker Kenzo Tsujimoto’s Kenzo Estate Rindo, from California, will also be available in First Class on selected flights.

It’s not just First Class passengers that get the best wines, commencing February Executive Class will also find a new list that includes nine new wines and Champagne Joseph Perrier Cuvee Royale Brut.

First Global Wine Auction of 2012: January 14 – Sotheby’s Hong Kong

This global wine auction will start 2012 off with some of the finest and rarest wines assembled including the Bordeaux Winebank Collection. Some other highlights include over 200 cases of investment-grade Bordeaux from the Bordeaux Winebank Collection, Super Second Bordeaux of exceptional quality and value, great Burgundy from Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, historic Champagne direct from the cellars of Veuve Clicquot, as well as a selection of rare California Cult Wines.

The most valuable lot is a case of Romanée-Conti 1990 estimated at HK$1 – 1.5 million / US$130,000 – $190,000*. Overall 982 lots are estimated to fetch HK$50 – 70 million / US$6.2 – 8.7 million.

Serena Sutcliffe, MW, Worldwide Head of Sotheby’s Wine Department said: “We are excited to begin 2012 with another fabulous selection from Bordeaux Winebank. It goes without saying that these classic classed growths from this Collection are in superlative condition. Every time we have shown bottles from this source, the reaction of tasters has been nothing short of ecstatic, as the wines have shown so beautifully and so youthfully – the last occasion was with the 2000s, which were bursting with health and flavour. I could certainly envisage a 50th anniversary tasting for these 2000s and, perhaps even more, the 2005s, but unfortunately I know that I shall only be there in spirit!

Champagne connoisseurs will be impressed by the offering of three rare lots of historic vintage Veuve Clicquot, all direct from the cellars in Reims. The extraordinary vintages of: 1921, 1929 and 1947 are wines of enormous intensity and length of flavour, with all the black grape vinosity for which Veuve Clicquot is renowned. These are true rarities.

AUCTION HIGHLIGHTS

Top Classified Bordeaux from the Bordeaux Winebank Collection:
Following the success of the previous offerings from the Bordeaux Winebank Collection, this sale will offer over 200 cases shipped direct from Bordeaux. An impressive selection of the First Growths, along with their equivalents on the Right Bank like Pétrus, Ausone and Cheval Blanc plus Yquem will be featured, showcasing the best vintages such as 1996, 2000, 2003 and 2005. As ever from this source all the wines come with the guarantee of “Five Star Provenance” – a patented system that ensures the authenticity and perfect condition of all the wines.

Highlights from Bordeaux Winebank Collection include:
Château Margaux 2005 Est. HK$70,000 – $100,000 / US$9,000 – $13,000 per case
Château Haut-Brion 2005 Est. HK$65,000 – $85,000 / US$8,500 – $11,000 per case
Château Mouton Rothschild 2005 Est. HK$60,000 – $80,000 / US$7,500 – $10,000 per case
Château Pétrus 2005 Est. HK$340,000 – $480,000 / US$42,500 – $60,000 per case
Château d’Yquem 2001 Est. HK$44,000 – $65,000 / US$5,500 – $8,000 per case

“Super Second” Bordeaux:
Together with First Growth Bordeaux, there is also a wonderful selection of “Super Seconds” that are comparable to the Premier Crus in terms of quality and consistency, thereby offering a built-in advantage of exceptional value.
Château Montrose 2003 Est. HK$14,000 – $19,000 / US$1,800 – $2,500 per case
Château Cos d’Estournel 2005 Est. HK$14,000 – $19,000 / US$1,800 – $2,500 per case
Château Pichon Longueville, Lalande 2000 Est. HK$9,000 – $12,000 / US$1,200 – $1,600 per case
Château Pichon Longueville, Baron 1995 Est. HK$6,000 – $9,000 / US$750- $1,200 per case

Blue-Chip Red Burgundy From Domaine De La Romanée-Conti:
Romanée Conti 1990, Domaine de la Romanée Conti Est. HK$1 – 1.5 million / US$130,000 – 190,000 per case
Romanée Conti 1988, Domaine de la Romanée Conti Est. HK$750,000 – 1 million / US$95,000 – 130,000 per case

Historic Vintage Veuve Clicquot Direct ) From The Cellars:
Leading the Champagne section are three magnums of 1921, 1929 and 1947, direct from Veuve Clicquot’s cellars in Reims. It is extremely rare to find these old vintages at auction making this an historic offering.

Veuve Clicquot, Brut 1921 (Magnum) Est. HK$36,000 – $60,000 / US$5,000 – $7,500
Veuve Clicquot, Brut 1929 (Magnum) Est. HK$36,000 – $60,000 / US$5,000 – $7,500
Veuve Clicquot, Brut 1947 (Magnum) Est. HK$36,000 – $60,000 / US$5,000 – $7,500

The Largest Selection of US Cult Wines Offered At Sotheby’s Hong Kong:

Sotheby’s will bring to market an impressive range of California cult wines – wines that are highly sought after by wine connoisseurs because of their extraordinary rarity, prestige and exceptional quality, to cater to the diversifying tastes of wine collectors in Asia.
Harlan Estate 1996 Est. HK$40,000 – $55,000 / US$5,000 – $7,000 per case
Harlan Estate 2002 Est. HK$55,000 – $70,000 / US$7,000 – $9,000 per case
Screaming Eagle, Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 Est. HK$15,000 – $19,000 / US$1,900 – $2,500 per bottle
Screaming Eagle, Cabernet Sauvignon 1999 Est. HK$24,000 – $34,000 / US $3,000 -$4,500 per 3 bottles

New Release: 2003 Dom Pérignon

The 2002 has been widely acclaimed as one of the best. A few weeks ago Chef de Cave Richard Geoffroy decided to release a wine from 2003, a year when Champagne was hit by frost, hail, and an August heat wave – it seems to be a bit of a risk.

“We shouldn’t be afraid of hot years,” says Mr. Geoffroy. “We have to react to the condition of the year; there were some slight technical challenges but I’m very proud of this vintage.”

The 2003 vintage was made from grapes grown in the hottest summer in Champagne in 53 years. The vintage has slightly more Pinot Noir (60%) in the blend, with 40% Chardonnay. Although a powerful wine with plenty of fruit, it retains Dom Pérignon’s trademark finesse.

This vintage has character, but remains quintessentially Dom Pérignon with a round, rhythmical finish that dances delicately between mineral and floral flavors. To the skilled Chef de Cave, the 2003 is an intense memory and Richard Geoffroy beautifully captures this by saying, “I wish every single vintage could be as strong as 2003.”

DOM PÉRIGNON
Moët & Chandon, Épernay, Champagne, France
Vintage: 2003
Alcohol: 12.5%
Price: £100 or €120 (est)

Grand Vintage 2002 Moet & Chandon is the pour for The 69th Annual Golden Globes January 15, 2012

MOET & CHANDON (L-R) Sofia Vergara, Gerard Butler, Rashida Jones, and Ludovic du Plessis, Vice President of Moet & Chandon

For over 260 years, Moet & Chandon has been the symbol of glamorous celebrations, turning the ordinary into the extraordinary with the pop of a cork. Moet has been the champagne of cinema since the early days of Hollywood, supporting several hundred films since the 1930s, ranging from small productions to international blockbusters including iconic films such as Love in the Afternoon, The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie, Pretty Woman, Titanic, Ocean’s 12, Nine, Up in the Air, and more recently Sex and the City 2 and Wall Street 2. In the same way legendary film directors preserve timeless moments on film, Moet & Chandon continues to showcase its legendary love affair with the magic of movies.

Celebrities including George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Meryl Streep are expected to be among the 1500 guests celebrating the big event at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 15.

“More than 1,000 mini bottles and 500 magnums of Grand Vintage 2002 Moet & Chandon Champagne, with more than 9,000 glasses will be served on the red carpet, and inside the ballroom,” said the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the non-profit organization behind the awards.

The Grand Vintage 2002 sells at $83 a bottle in the United States, has been praised by Moet & Chandon Chef de Cave Benoit Gouez: “Moet & Chandon Grand Vintage 2002 comes from an exceptional year, certainly the best vintage in Champagne since 95-96. The climate has been perfect.”

Clicquot in the Sky: Chicago House Champagne Benefit January 26th 2012

Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin is both a Champagne house in Reims, France, and a brand of premium Champagne. Founded in 1772 by Philippe Clicquot-Muiron, Veuve Clicquot played an important role in establishing Champagne as a favored drink of haute bourgeoisie and nobility throughout Europe.

Notorious for its history of innovation Veuve Clicquot has become known as the Champagne House with cutting edge ideas.

Each year Chicago House hosts a Veuve Clicquot benefit at a different venue. This year the event reaches new heights. On the 99th floor of the SkyDeck, Willis Tower bubbly drinks await you!

Artists from around the city present their various interpretations of Clicquot and a fantastic silent auction keeps everyone bidding throughout the evening as the Veuve flows.

Date: Thursday, January 26, 2012

Time: 6:00 pm

Where: The SkyDeck, Willis Tower
233 South Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL

Contact: Michael Herman
mherman@chicagohouse.org
Phone – 773.248.5200 x 303

My wishes for you in 2012 is to have:

12 Months of Happiness;


52 Weeks of Fun;


365 Days of Success;


8,760 Hours of Good Health;
52,600 Minutes of Good Luck, and


3,153,600 Seconds of Joy.







Champagne de Venoge receives top scores from Wine Spectator for 5 newly released Champagnes

Champagne de Venoge received top scores from Wine Spectator for five newly released Champagnes that are currently available for purchase:

• Brut Champagne Louis XV 1996 – 93 points

• Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne 2002 – 93 points

• Extra Brut Rosé Champagne Louis XV 2002 – 93 points

• Extra Brut Cuvee 20 ans Champagne 1983 – 92 points, and

• Extra Brut Champagne Cordon Bleu NV – 91 points

Champagne de Venoge was also selected among the “100 Best Champagnes for 2011″ in Fine Champagne Magazine. Essi Avellan, Master of Wine, conducted an extensive review of Champagnes in this magazine and Champagne de Venoge got the 14th position among the Top 100 as well as the 3rd position for vintage Champagne and number 7 for rose Champagne.

Among this list, Champagne Louis XV 1996 has already received international acclaims since the release of this prestigious cuvee. After spending more than 10 years in de Venoge’s cellars in Epernay, this 1996 vintage is now on sale with a beautiful packaging and its famous «carafe» bottle.

About Champagne de Venoge
For more than 170 years, Champagne de Venoge has earned itself a privileged place in the heart of the vineyards of Champagne. Ambassador for exceptional wines of Champagne, de Venoge is first of all a family story in the constant quest for excellence. A Blue Ribbon has been the symbol of the nobility since the 16th century. In 1864, when de Venoge launched its “Cordon Bleu”, it became a mark of distinction and refinement. At the edge of the Champagne tradition in its most beautiful and noble form, de Venoge’s reputation also lies in the terroir, the rigorous selection of the best grapes in Champagne and the perpetuation of a unique style. The fine vinosity associated to the incomparable freshness brings to de Venoge’s Champagnes elegance and harmony – All this for the greatest pleasure of Champagne lovers!

Liz Palmer
@champagnehouses