Actualité: 10th Anniversary of Champagne Region’s UNESCO Inscription
This month the Champagne region celebrates the 10th Anniversary of the inscription of the Hillsides, Houses and Cellars of Champagne on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Travel
Séjour: Spending the Night with Henri Giraud
The village of Aÿ in the heart of Champagne is a place steeped in winemaking tradition, home to many of the region’s great producers, Henri Giraud among them. While the area has long drawn Champagne enthusiasts, until recently it was difficult to find luxury accommodations within the village itself. That changed with the arrival of Manoir Henri Giraud, a beautifully restored property offering guests a sophisticated yet grounded experience in the birthplace of some of the world’s finest bubbles.
Séjour: A New Era of Elegance in Épernay at Les Suites at Maison Besserat de Bellefon
It’s no secret that I’m a devoted admirer of Maison Besserat de Bellefon. One of my most memorable Société de Champagne Sydney events last year was a tasting of their exquisite cuvées aboard a boat on Sydney Harbour: a perfect pairing of elegance and setting.
Première: Billecart-Salmon Nicolas François 2012
In April, Billecart-Salmon celebrated the launch of the Cuvée Nicolas François 2012 with an elegant dinner at the newly renovated Maison de Famille in Mareuil-sur-Aÿ. Members of the Champagne press from four continents gathered for an intimate evening hosted by seventh-generation family member and CEO Mathieu Roland-Billecart.
Première: G.H. Mumm Vintages
Recently in Sydney, G.H. Mumm hosted a dinner to launch its new Vintage Collection, introducing three new vintage cuvées – including the much-anticipated RSRV Lalou 2013. The event and its featured trio celebrated the Maison’s nearly 200-year legacy of unwavering dedication to excellence.
Soirée: Grand Champagne Helsinki
Grand Champagne Helsinki is the world’s biggest champagne tasting event, held in April each year in Helsinki.
Séjour: In my Churchill Champagne Era in London
Winston Churchill is history’s most famous champagne drinker. And on my last trip to London I discovered that there is no better place for champagne lovers to live out their Churchill Champagne fantasy than at Raffles London at the Old War Office.
Soirée: My Effervescence Tasmania Experience with Josef Chromy Wines
These images were moments taking it all in at the opening Gala Dinner for Effervescence Tasmania, hosted at the perfectly picturesque Josef Chromy winery and restaurant. I had just spent the day in the company of the Josef Chromy team and fellow wine journalists from around Australia.
Maison: Perrier-Jouët’s prestige cuvée Belle Époque
Earlier this year in Epernay I was fortunate to visit Perrier-Jouët’s Maison Belle Époque – and to be given a preview tasting of two of the latest releases of Perrier-Jouët’s prestige cuvée Belle Époque.
Première: Pommery Apanage Brut 1874
2024 is a very important year for the Maison Champagne Pommery: it is celebrating the 150th anniversary of the first brut champagne in history.
At the end of last month Pommery’s Apanage Brut 1874 was launched in Sydney with Madame Nathalie Vranken, owner & CEO of Vranken-Pommery Monopole, on her Australian visit from Reims. The venue: the spectacular, brand new “Canvas” restaurant at the Museum of Contemporary Art Sydney, with views of the best of Sydney Harbour and dishes by Chef Josh Raine paired with Pommery cuvées. And the star of the show was of course Pommery’s new, contemporary Apanage Brut 1874, crafted by Chef de Cave Clément Pierlot as the Brut of the 21st century, and the perfect way for the Maison to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the creation of Brut by Madame Pommery.
Pommery’s new Apanage Brut 1874 honours the historical work around 17 crus, with its great terroirs selected for their character and uniqueness, including the very special Clos Pompadour in Reims. Apanage Brut 1874 is built around great vintages: based on the superb 2018 vintage, a year described by Madame Vranken as “full of joyful happiness” with an elegant addition of 2015 and 2012. As so beautifully described by Madame Vranken “this cuvée is a hug for everyone who loves champagne.” Apanage Brut 1874 is the perfect for a festive apéritif coming into this holiday season!