Debate a Bubble - Champagne News and Reviews

Try a new champagne - two worth tasting

So many people I meet at my champagne tastings tell me that they only drink such and such a brand.

Well that’s fine; it’s certainly reassuring to find a taste that we can rely on time and time again, but often I find that people stick to the same champagne just because they don’t know what else to look for.

When you consider that there are some 5,000 champagnes available, sticking to just one or two means that you are missing out on well over 99% of the market. What a pity.

The answer, of course, is to try something different, but I appreciate that it’s not always easy to know what to choose, so here are a couple of champagnes that you may not have thought of and which are really worth trying.

At two of my recent champagne receptions I finished the evening by serving slightly sweeter champagnes: one was Taittinger Nocture which is classifed as Sec and the other was Joseph Perrier Demi-sec

Most champagne is brut meaning it’s dry and has very litle sugar in it. To be precise

Brut contains 6 – 14 grams sugar per litre
Sec contains 17-35 grams sugar per litre
Demi-sec contains 33-50 grams sugar per litre

I find that brut champagne can become too aggressive on the palate after a couple of glasses, but something slightly sweeter is soft on the palate and ever so easy to drink – much better than brut for weddings and parties where champagne is being served all night.

The flavours and aromas of both the two I mentioned above reminded me of honey and rich fruit, particularly those pineapple-cube boiled sweets you may have enjoyed when you were young. On the other hand there’s always a touch of freshness in good champagne, so don’t worry - these sweeter champagnes are nothing like as sweet as still dessert wines or pudding wines as they are sometimes called.

You’ll probably find these two champagnes at most good wine shops and if you can’t, send me an e-mail and I’ll point you in the right direction.

Sparkling regards

Jiles Halling

sparkle@champagne-discovery.co.uk

Champagne Tastings

Champagne Tastings by Champagne Discovery

Whether you’re organising a private, or a corporate function our Champagne Tastings provide all the answers. A  fun mixture of education, entertainment and of course, superb champagnes that will have your guests literally fizzing with enjoyment. They are:

• Original - Wine tastings are relatively common, but champagne tastings are still rare and the chances are that this is something your guests have never experienced.

• Popular - Just the mention of the word champagne will put a sparkle in your guests’ eyes and a smile on their face and of course Champagne is just as popular with gentlemen as with ladies.

• Stylish - There are few things in life that have the same magical associations as champagne or that conjure up the same images of luxury, celebration and success.

• Fun - Even before they arrive your guests will be in the ‘champagne mood’ and looking forward to a great evening and lots of fun. We make sure that the mood stays high as we keep the tone light-hearted with the accent on enjoyment.

• Effective - Successful networking and socialising is all about bringing people together in a convivial atmosphere and there is nothing like champagne to do just that.

The Champagne Discovery Difference
We have a unique knowledge and experience of champagne having spent 10 years living and working in Champagne where Jiles held a senior position at the head office of Moët & Chandon.

There we learned not just about the fabulous wine, the people and the region, but equally importantly we learned the fine French art of entertaining with champagne.

We love sharing this knowledge with your guests and we’re sure they’ll love it too.


How does it work?

The Wine Taster’s Challenge
We start the evening with this intriguing game designed to sharpen your senses before the real tasting gets under way. Guests are invited to identify various aromas found in wine: fruity, spicey, floral? It’s up to you to guess and see if you’re a budding champagne maker.

The Secrets of Champagne
How do you tell one champagne from another and what are the three things you need to know before you buy a bottle of champagne ?

As we taste four different white champagnes and two rosé champagnes your guests will discover how each type of champagne is made, why some cost more than others, which style they prefer and why.

By the end of the evening your guests will understand the difference between vintage and non-vintage champagne, they’ll know why one champagne is different from another and they’ll have picked up lots of great tips about elegant entertaining with champagne.

Quiz and prize giving
Everyone loves to put their new-found knowledge to the test with a quiz and to make things relatively simple, all the answers will have been revealed during the evening.
Champagne-related prizes are presented to the winners.

This concludes our journey of discovery in Champagne but we’re happy to stay on and chat to any quests who have more questions.

“We were looking for an event that was different, which we felt would appeal  to all our guests. Champagne Discovery’s tasting evening was fantastic in all respects and I am sure we’ll be organising another one soon

We tasted some great champagnes and learnt a great deal, whilst thoroughly enjoying ourselves. The feedback from our guests was superb and I am sure the event will help us to develop the relationships we have with them.”

Andi Tomkinson
Assistant Director, Corporate Finance
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Latest News
We are constantly developing new champagne themes to ensure that there’s always something to delight your guests and to help you to find the ideal format for your next event.

Champagne Cocktail Events
Guests  not only learn about champagne and sparkling wine , but they  also have the chance to try their own hand at mixing champagne cocktails.

We supply dummy, unbreakable  bottles, so it’s all perfectly safe. You can try juggling, throwing over your shoulder and all the other slick moves.

It’s loads of fun, very participative  and, as always, plenty to learn as well, for those who wish.

Champagne & Sushi Evenings
People have often said that champagne is the perfect match for sushi, but just as there are many types of champagne, there’s more to sushi than you would imagine and did you know that sushi is not necessarily made with raw fish ? ( That’s called Sashimi ).

Guests get to try the different flavours with different champagnes and then it’s fun time again when guests can have a go at making their own sushi rolls.

We supply all the equipment and  ingredients ready-cut ( Guests and knives are kept well apart ) and we  judge the results and award prizes for the best ( and worst ) efforts. You can bring in a team competition element here if it’s appropriate.

There’s a Champagne Tasting format to suit all your requirements, so please contact us to discuss your next, very special event

Call Champagne Discovery on 0845 123 1284 or e-mail us at
sparkle@champagne-discovery.co.uk

Champagne Receptions

These days when you receive an invitation for any large gathering  you can almost guarantee that it will feature  the words “ Champagne Reception” .

“Nothing wrong with that” you may say to yourself, but the trouble is that most people think that this is all you need to do and whilst this may initially sound good, when you stop and think that

A ) everyone is doing exactly the same and

B ) at most events this means nothing more than  offering  guests a glass of something bubbly on a  tray as they arrive,

you may begin to question whether this ‘standard package’ is  really what you want for YOUR event.

Champagne Discovery Receptions

Hosting a memorable party involves much  more than just two words on an invitation and  goes far beyond  simply serving champagne; it’s about weaving stories, creating magic and making your guests feel elegant, sophisticated and pampered.

This is exactly the unique touch of style that Champagne Discovery can bring to your event.

Is it difficult ? Not necessarily , but it does help to have spent 10 years living and working in the heart of the Champagne region and attending,  as well as organising, some of the most elegant soirées imaginable.

By using the wonderful qualities and imagery of champagne we can transform your event into an unforgettable occasion and help you and your company stand out from the crowd.

We appreciate that neither you nor your guests want a wine lecture; besides, you will certainly have other important discussions to attend to and you’ll want to seize the opportunity to network and develop new contacts. So, when the event has to be special, but when champagne is not the only focus of the evening, we help you strike the perfect balance.

Our Champagne receptions offer a superb opportunity for you to interact with existing and prospective clients in a stylish and relaxed atmosphere. We provide the theme to the evening; we entertain your guests with anecdotes and information about champagne and we ensure that your event becomes far more than just another drinks party.

During the course of your event we will serve a variety of superb champagnes and as each champagne is served we’ll explain to your guests just why they have been chosen and why they are special. We’ll also advise you on the choice of food and we’ll work with the caterer to ensure the perfect match of food and champagne.

We’ll make sure that the extra care and attention given to the selection of the champagne and food will be noticed and enjoyed by your guests who will appreciate the value you place on your relationship with them.

After each champagne has been introduced we’ll mingle with your guests, talking a little more about the champagnes to those who are interested, and answering questions from those who want to know more, but always leaving  in peace those who simply want to network or perhaps discuss business.

By the end of the evening your guests will have experienced a virtual journey of discovery through the Champagne region and will be singing your praises long after the glasses are empty.

Most important of all, it’s YOUR event that will stay in their memory for a long time to come.

Here’s what a few of our delighted clients are saying:

'Jiles is a sensation, able to capture the hearts and minds of 50 or so senior clients, leading them on an adventure in Champagne. At once informative, funny, charming and with an infectious passion for his subject. We've had nothing but 'thank you letters', fizzing, if you'll excuse the pun, with excitement for the event Jiles hosted on our behalf at Selfridges'

Robert Harwood-Matthews, Chief ExecutiveBDH/TBWA, Didsbury,Manchester ( Ad Agency )

This was always going to be a good event but Jiles made it an excellent event – adding that extra interest on the evening. His style and knowledge were both first class

Ian Beaumont, Partner, BDO Stoy Hayward, Leeds

Thank you Jiles for helping make Wednesday night perfect. It's so much more fun than just a straight forward drinks evening..Thanks again for all your help.

Head of HR and Communication for a large, national accountacy practice

To discuss your next event and to discover how to make it really special call us on 0845 123 1284 or e-mail sparkle@champagne-discovery.co.uk

Your place in Champagne....

A home in Champagne
If you're looking for somewhere different to relax on holiday this year, then look no further.  Our beautiful home in the heart of Champagne is waiting for you.  Nestled in the heart of a Grand Cru village,  you'll find luxurious accommodation for up to 12 people, peace and quiet and everything you'll need for a complete getaway a la française.   Let me explain why the region and the house are so special and why we think you’ll love it too.

In 1995 we moved to France, Jiles spent a year studying for an MBA in Luxury Brand Management at a French business school and then joined Moët & Chandon as Area Director for Asia. Despite a good deal of travel overseas for Jiles, the job and the family were based in the very heart of the Champagne region and so we bought a house there.

Under Yvonne’s skilful supervision the house was refurbished and restored.

Yvonne then put her interior decor qualifications to work to transform an unloved house into a wonderful, warm home.

 Yvonne also ran a B & B  from the house and people came, literally from all 4 corners of the world, to enjoy it’s charm and tranquility whilst visiting the region.

When we returned to the U.K. we decided to keep our house in Champagne. 

Now the house is available for you to rent and enjoy as well.

For all bookings made before September 30th, for dates in 2009, we are offering a massive 50% reduction on our normal prices.

To see how much you will save, go to the end of this post

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reasons to choose Champagne

We can think of dozens of reasons why you'll love visiting our home in Champagne but here are a few that immediately spring to mind.

To see what's going on in 2009 Click here.

You’ll be able to enjoy all these benefits at Les Molyneux and no doubt you can think of others as well:

• You’re a discerning francophile and like nothing more than visiting France to enjoy the french lifestyle, but perhaps you have difficulty finding good quality accommodation.

• You love the peace and tranquility of rural France and want to take your time discovering little known gems away from the tourists, off the beaten track.

• You want a home from home where you can relax, do your own thing on your own time

• You’d like to discover a special place  and share it with  your family and friends.

The House
You’ll find more details and pictures below, but let us tell you little more...

Les Molyneux is a beautifully restored former grape-grower’s farmhouse in the centre of one of the best villages in Champagne. When we say ‘one of the best villages’ we mean Grand Cru. This is the classification given by the French government to only 17 villages in the region, where the grapes grown are of the highest quality.

Les Molyneux was built in the mid 19th century, and has been carefully restored retaining many original features including exposed beams and stripped floors.

The region and how to get there
 Why Champagne?

The answer is obvious you may think, but wait, there’s more to Champagne than you might imagine....
The region of Champagne-Ardennes is one of France’s best kept secrets. World renowned for the famous Champagne drink, many people do not even realise that it is a region of France! And yet, it is an area of outstanding natural beauty, with breathtaking landscapes, diverse climate, and hidden gems to discover.

The main city, Reims, with its elegant shops, superb restaurants and old streets is 15 minutes drive away and thanks to the new high speed train ( TGV ) you can get from Reims to the centre of Paris in 45 minutes.
On the way to Paris you pass Eurodisney– only 1 hour from Champagne by car – and with Paris, Charles de Gaulle airport also only about 1 hour’s drive away, it’s easy to reach Champagne by air.
If you’re travelling by car it’s a very easy 3 hour drive (or less) from the Eurotunnel at Calais to your front door.
No matter when you visit, there are myriad ways to spend your time. With few tourists, you’ll discover the real France here walking or cycling among the vineyards and forests, learning the art of champagne making from those that make it, sampling the local cuisine with recipes handed down through generations, croissants made at the local boulangerie and locally grown produce.

Verzy

The village of Verzy is nestled on the slopes of the Montagne de Reims, between the ‘Faux de Verzy’ the forest of twisted beech trees, in a conservation area of natural parkland and the vineyards producing the famous pinot noir grapes for the bubbly.

With only 1000 inhabitants, Verzy is surprisingly lively, boasting three banks, a post office, a baker, two butchers, a delicatessen where you can buy home made meals or have them served at home for you and your party! There’s also a grocery store, a newsagent, two hairdressers and a pharmacy.

A delight in every season
Springtime in champagne is magical. After the cold clear skies of winter, the new shoots on the vines are just emerging, busting into full leaf during the 1st week of May and changing the colour of the landsape from brown to bright green. Against the blue of the spring skies this is truly beautiful. The weather is warm, the rains gentle and the promise of the forthcoming fruit is inspiring. Birds sing in the nearby trees of the forest, life begins again in its slow, rhythmic and timely manner.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Call us now to check availability and special deals

01625 865 848  from the U.K. and  +44 (0)1625 868 848 from outside the U.K.

or e-mail to jiles@madaboutbubbly.com

For all bookings made before September 30th, for dates in 2009, we are offering a massive 50% reduction on our normal prices.

Go to the end of this post to see how much you will save

 

Summer is hot, hot, hot, with temperatures soaring into the mid 30s, the fruit hangs heavy on the vines, ripening daily.

The trimmers are out in the vineyards, keeping the leaves in check, so that the sun can ripen the grapes.

Bar-b-ques abound, summer fun, warm evenings, strolling through the nearby cathedral city of Reims, or the smaller capital of Champagne, Epernay on the River Marne, dinner on the terrace, sipping champagne – what more can one want?

 

 

The promise of the harvest is hanging in the air and the champagne makers test the acidity of the grapes daily.

Migrant workers set up their camps ready to start the work. Handpicked directly from the vines, the grapes are the ‘gold’ of the region.

The picking window has arrived and the landscape is covered with people.

The aroma of the freshly pressed wine hangs heavy in the air, and life all at once is frantic as the harvest is gathered and lovingly transformed into liquid gold. And then, all is quiet. The leaves turn orange, yellow, rust, brown under the clear blue skies of autumn. The vines gently fall asleep under the falling temperatures.

Winter and the landscape is barren, almost desolate. The temperatures drop as low as -20 in some areas, the snow falls, the fires are lit, gathering loved ones from far and near for family celebrations.

 

There are parties to go to, more champagne to be sampled, as the vines sleep silently under winter’s blanket, ready for the awakening again of spring.

Whenever you choose to visit, you will find something special and unique to experience at Les Molyneux in Champagne.

The accommodation
Boasting accommodation for up to 12 people, over 3 floors, plus traditional ‘cave de champagne’, the house comprises:
Entrance Hall (3m x 4m)
Office/study (3m x 4m) with broadband internet access, stripped floor

TV room with working fireplace. Stripped floor and Shower room.
Boots and coat room
Utility room with washing machine, tumble dryer and gas boiler, Door to rear garden.

Bedroom suite with separate entrance (9m x 4m), comprising bedroom, bathroom with clawfoot bath and exposed beams. Sleeps two.

 

Stairs to lst floor
Hallway with stripped floor and beams

Kitchen/breakfast room (3m x 7m – fully fitted with two fridges, dishwasher, oven, and hob. Breakfast area and French doors to decked area and rear garden.

Formal dining room (5m x 4m)with stripped floor and panelling.

Large lounge (6m x 8m) with stripped floor, beams, French windows to decked area and rear garden, stairs down to ground floor and second entrance.

  

Bedroom suite – (9m x 4m) two rooms, sharing shower room – suitable for 4 children, or a family, or one couple. 

Stairs from hallway to 2nd floor – converted loft with lots of lovely exposed beams and stripped floors, velux windows and plenty of natural light.

Landing – carpeted with large linen cupboard

Bedroom suite (8m x 6m) comprising large bedroom with ensuite. Sleeps two.

 

Bedroom (6m x 4m)– carpeted with sloping ceiling, sleeps two

Bedroom (6m x 4m) – carpeted with sloping ceiling, sleeps two. Shared bathroom.

Outside:
To the front there is a gated courtyard, with parking for 2-3 cars. Separate building used for storage.

To the rear there is a pretty landscaped garden with large decked area, lawns, two cherry trees, a pear tree, numerous shrubs and flowers.

 

 

 

See below to view our prices and contact us NOW to take advantage of our

never-to-be-repeated 50% reduction for the rest of 2009.

 Email jiles@madaboutbubbly.com 

Telephone
01625 865 848 if you're in the UK

or +44 1625 865 848 if you're overseas

Your chilled bottle of champagne is waiting for you in the fridge!

Tariffs 2009

 

PRICES, LES MOLYNEUX, VERZY

2009

Regular prices shown in black

Special deals shown in red - see conditions below

All prices shown in pounds sterling

Nights

3

3

4

4

5

5

6

6

7

7

People

PER PERSON PER NIGHT

4-8

50

25

50

25

50

25

50

25

50

25

9-10

35

17.5

35

17.5

35

17.5

35

17.5

35

17.5

11

30

15

30

15

30

15

30

15

30

15

12

25

12.5

25

12.5

25

12.5

25

12.5

25

12.5

Nights

3

3

4

4

5

5

6

6

7

7

People

TOTAL PRICE OF THE STAY

4

600

300

800

400

1000

500

1200

600

1400

700

5

750

375

1000

500

1250

625

1500

750

1750

875

6

900

450

1200

600

1500

750

1800

900

2100

1050

7

1050

525

1400

700

1750

875

2100

1050

2450

1225

8

1200

600

1600

800

2000

1000

2400

1200

2800

1400

9

945

472.5

1260

630

1575

787.5

1890

945

2205

1102.5

10

1050

525

1400

700

1750

875

2100

1050

2450

1225

11

990

495

1320

660

1650

825

1980

990

2310

1155

12

900

450

1200

600

1500

750

1800

900

2100

1050

Special prices shown in red apply ONLY to:

Bookings made and confirmed before September 30th 2009 for dates in 2009

Groups of no less than 4 people

Minimum stay of 3 nights

Conditions

50% deposit payable with booking

Balance payable no less that 14 days before start date of booking

Cancellations

More than 1 month before start of booking - full refund

Between 2 weeks and 1 month before start date of booking - Deposit retained

Less than 2 weeks before start date of booking - full amount payable:

(deposit + balance of price shown in red)