This Champagne trip started gently, with a weekend in Reims that contained just one vineyard visit: JL Vergnon, in Le Mesnil. We were hosted by Christophe Constant (below), who has…
Grower Champagne focus: the remarkable Gimonnet Oenophile 2005
I’m quite a Gimonnet fan, so I was delighted to find this in a wine shop in Reims at a sensible price. It’s just beautiful. 2005 isn’t the best ever…
In Reims, buying Champagne
I’ve been here in Reims since Friday, drawn here by my growing love of Champagne. It has been nice to explore the town a bit, and my self-imposed rule is…
Video: drinking Champagne Dom Pérignon 2004 and talking fizz
So, I open a bottle of Champagne Dom Pérignon with brother in law William Beavington, and we drink it, talk about it, and have a broad-ranging discussion about Champagne more…
Benoît Gouez introduces Moët et Chandon MCIII, the new prestige cuvée
On Wednesday, I met with Benoît Gouez, chef de cave of Champagne Moët et Chandon, to try their recently introduced prestige cuvée, MCIII. ‘Since the mid-1990s we’ve been thinking of…
Champagne under £8? I review Tesco’s Pol Aimé Champagne NV on camera
Tesco are currently running a 25% off 6 bottles or more of wine. This offer includes their Pol Aimé Champagne, which is currently listed at £9.95. So with the multi-bottle…
Champagne Dom Perignon P2 1998
It’s hard to taste a famous wine with a completely clear mind. Sometimes you are wary about giving too high a score: would you have liked it as much if…
Some reflections on ProWein 2016: bubbly Brits, grower Champagne, Canada, Provence and Grenache
ProWein is a massive wine and spirits fair, held each year in Dusseldorf, Germany. It’s enormous. 6200 exhibitors, and 55 000 trade visitors. I’ve just returned, and these are some…
Grower Champagne focus: Gimonnet Cuvée Fleuron 1er Cru Blanc de Blancs 2006
Had this at lunch on Thursday at the excellent Prospect restaurant in San Francisco, where sommelier Josh Thomas has put together a stunning and well priced list of fizz. I’m…