Dom Perignon
29 Nov 2011 Leave a Comment
LVMH owned Dom Perignon created its first vintage in 1921. Since then the prestige brand has only produced vintage Champagne, generating much interest and success.
It was in fact Magnums of the 1961 Dom that were the chosen Champagne of the 1981Royal Wedding of Lady Diana Spencer and Prince Charles. The couple’s names and the date of the wedding were inscribed on each bottle (a service that the brand now offers in their special order wedding package).
Since this piece of priceless advertising providence, Dom Perignon has become almost inextricably linked to the world of celebrity glamour.
In 2007, prestigious photographer, designer deity and Francophone Karl Largerfeld, teamed up with the Champagne house along with model Claudia Schiffer to create the ad campaign for the 1993 Oenotheque (Library of Wines). In the series of photographs, US model Brad Koenig plays a Dom Perignon heir in search of his perfect woman. As the femme fatale of the campaign, Schiffer morphs from French Maid to Dominatrix to seductive Oriental china doll to name but a few of her appearances in each titillating black and white still.
The thinking behind the provocative promotion? We’re not entirely sure… Perhaps the many guises of Claudia are meant to serve as a glamorous metaphor of the quest for perfection that Dom Perignon insists upon.
By 2008, the Rosé 1996 was due for release and with it the reemployment of Lagerfeld. This time his muse was Czech Supermodel Eva Herzigova, perhaps best known for her iconic Wonderbra “Hello Boys” campaign that graced billboards and subsequent traffic jams Worldwide.
The short film Room Service employs the somewhat overdone modern fairytale that we have seen paraded through luxury advertising campaigns for years (think Chanel in particular). Gorgeous man (Kroenig again) meets gorgeous woman in a beautifully lavish Parisian hotel whilst knocking back as much Dom Perignon Rosé as the budget can afford (A LOT, and at around £230.00 a bottle, that ain’t bad).
The Dom Perignon Marketing department is seemingly the gift that just keeps giving, as an extract from none other than Andy Warhol’s diary, revealed his experience with the 2,000 Club,
“Went to the gallery where they were having a little exhibition of the glittery Shoes, and had to do interviews and pics for the German newspaper and then we had to go back to the hotel and be picked up by the “2,000” people – it’s a club of twenty guys who got together and they’re going to buy 2,000 bottles of Dom Pérignon which they will put in a sealed room until the year 2,000 and then open it up and drink it and so the running joke is who will be around and who won’t…” (1981)
This prompted Dom Perignon for the first time in its history to allow the iconic brand label to be tampered with, spurring the release of the Limited Edition Andy Warhol Tribute, and with it, another few thousand hits on YouTube…
Champagne UK at the Chelsea Flower Show
22 Nov 2011 Leave a Comment
Champagne Laurent Perrier holds a Royal Warrant and is one of our most loved and best selling brands. Laurent Perrier Rosé is known worldwide as being one of the best Rosé Champagnes available. When our invitation to the Chelsea Flower Show arrived, hosted by Laurent Perrier, we were thrilled.
Our invitation was for the Tuesday showing and on arrival I could not believe the number of people that were there. The show was completely sold out.
Our day there included a three-course lunch which was held in what was supposed to be a marquee. This allegedly temporary structure was fantastic. It looked as solid and as huge as any other London building. Inside, we drank beautiful Laurent Perrier Rosé and sat down to a lunch of Smoked Salmon, Lobster and Orange Blossom Cheesecake—to name but a few of the extensive and mouth-watering choices.
At 3 o’clock we were given a tour of the Laurent Perrier Garden. Its designer, Luciano Giubbilei, previously won the Gold Award in 2009. This year, the garden won Best in Show. As we were given a guided tour, it was incredible to hear the strict criteria that the gardens had to meet. Any flowers that were presented within the garden had to be realistically portrayed. This meant that flowers growing next to one another at Chelsea had to be able to cohabit realistically in the wild. I had no idea that Chelsea had such exacting rules to follow.
The garden itself was beautiful with water features and constantly differing levels of border flowers and shrubs to tall grass. The centre piece was mesmerising. Luciano had fashioned a screen or blind out of Bamboo. What was so fascinating was the fact that people in the garden could physically move the screen in order to pass through into another section; it was both beautiful and inventive.
The rest of the show was equally impressive and captivating. It gave me a real sense of inspiration for my own garden, and I can imagine that even the most disinterested of horticulturalists would find fascination in the extensive gardens.
Bollinger
03 Nov 2011 Leave a Comment
The house of Bollinger is famed for its genius PR. Any Champagne connoisseur worth their Jeroboam is familiar with the quote from late owner Tante Lily,
“I drink it when I’m happy and when I’m sad.
Sometimes I drink it when I’m alone.
When I have company I consider it obligatory.
I trifle with it if I’m not hungry and I drink it when I am.
Otherwise I never touch it, unless I’m thristy.”
This iconic marketing stunt was published in The Daily Mail in 1961. Several have followed, most notably the long running relationship between James Bond and Bollinger with such glib one liners as, “Bollinger? If it’s ’69 you were expecting me”.
This year, Bollinger have released the Grande Annee 2002. The latest of their prestige cuvees, this Pinot Noir based blend (60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay) has those in the know jumping with excitement and anticipation. The reason? 2002 presented the perfect weather conditions in Champagne, with a very cold winter (serving to cleanse the vines), a mild, late spring setting the ideal environment for flowering (in mid June) and finally a dry, warm summer.
As you can imagine when Champagne UK’s invitation arrived and I was informed that I would attend the unveiling and tasting of the 2002, my knees began to go weak.
The conference would be held in the rather beautiful Somerset House, London. Situated right on the Thames, a location of idyll and corporate bliss… Here at Champagne HQ we love our rural setting with the rolling Shropshire Hills surrounding and newborn bleating lambs adding to our tranquil backdrop. So, when Andrew (Champagne UK boss) informed me, as we were making our way down the M1, that in actual fact he had an appointment and I would be left to my own devices to negotiate my way around the Capital, I was struck with a crippling sense of panic and foreboding (‘How the hell am I supposed to use the Tube?!).
My fear was unfounded as I gingerly managed (with the help of a few bemused locals) to find my way safely to the location of the event, and what a location it was!
Somerset House is a truly spectacular building and its interior is equally breathtaking. However, I was not only in awe of my surroundings, but the faces that it currently housed. MD’s and revered journalists from the industry had flocked to the event, all with pens poised, ready to take notes on the wine tasting class I was about to partake in. The class was an invaluable experience, including the reserve Rosé wines used in the Rosé 2002. At first I felt somewhat out of my depth; to my left was a woman who clearly knew her wines, scribbling furiously in short hand. However when I turned to my right, the lady who occupied the chair was far more interested in eating the Water Biscuits provided (I later gave her mine). I could have jumped for joy (and very nearly did) when the Sommelier announced that we should have been getting strong notes of coffee from a particular red, and there it was, already written in my notes-perhaps not quite the complete novice that I once was!
Louis Roederer Champagne Tasting Evening
20 Oct 2011 Leave a Comment
26/05/2011
Last month, Champagne UK hosted a Louis Roederer tasting evening in partnership with Maison Marques, agents to Louis Roederer. The event took place at the Old Hall School, on the site of world famous Wrekin College.
British weather dashed our plans of a marquee on the lawn, but luckily the school reception provided a sheltered venue.
By 7.30 the room was full of local business owners and parents of children at the school.
The evening began with Louis Roederer Brut Premier, accompanied with Filo wrapped Prawns and Smoked Salmon on Rye.
40% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Meunier.
The nose was of fresh fruit and hawthorn, with a soft, complex palate of apples, pears, red berries and toasted almonds.
The second Champagne was the Louis Roederer Brut Vintage 2004, accompanied with Melon and Palma Ham and Spinach and Ricotta Tartlets.
70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay.
Scents of orange and hazelnut were punctuated by warm, fruity notes. Rich and rounded vinosity on the palate with hints of marzipan, white chocolate, caramel and toast.
The Louis Roederer Brut Rose 2006 came after, with Lamb Meatballs and Goats Cheese Tartlets.
66% Pinot Noir, 34% Chardonnay
Intense, complex aromas of strawberry and peach, followed by sweet flowers and pollen. An elegant palate of red berries, gingerbread and honey.
Our final Champagne of the evening was the Louis Roederer Carte Blanche together with Chocolate Brownies and Brandy Snaps with Cream and Strawberries.
40% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir, 20% Pinot Meunier
Fresh apples, milk chocolate and a crisp acidity on the palate. Slightly sweet with a creamy, crisp finish.
For more information on any of the Champagnes tasted during the evening, contact Liz or Chloe (0845 260 2290) or visit www.champagneuk.com
Champagne Cocktails
20 Oct 2011 Leave a Comment
Cocktail tasting you say? It didn’t take much persuasion as three cocktail fans were rounded up into Chloë’s flat in order to give you our honest opinion, and perhaps some ideas for up and coming summer celebrations…
Name: Steve
Occupation: Graphic Designer
Favourite Tipple: Real Ale/Wine/Champagne/Jack Daniels
Name: Caroline
Occupation: Senior Lab Analyst
Favourite Tipple: Strongbow
Name: Chloë
Occupation: Champagne UK’s PR Girl
Favourite Tipple: Wine
Name: Philip
Occupation: Copywriter
Favourite Tipple: Lager
Cocktail #1 Kir Royale (Champagne + Cassis)
Steve: Quite heavy. A not so sweet Vimto taste. Needs to be drunk with plenty of ice. 3/5
Caroline: A little similar to Pimm’s. Needs lots of ice. Sweet smelling. 2/5
Chloë: Very sweet, lovely in summer with lots of crushed ice and fruit. Very pink and girly. 4/5
Philip: Lovely and sweet-very drinkable! Very refreshing. 4/5
Cocktail #2 Black Velvet (Champagne + Guinness)
Steve: Not for me. Metallic taste. 2/5
Caroline: Doesn’t really taste like Guinness. Surprisingly light. Perhaps a cunning way of tricking Lager Louts into a degree of sophistication! 5/5
Chloë: Much better than I expected (I really wasn’t looking forward to this one). Does leave a metallic aftertaste. Maybe more suited to Real Ale/Stout drinkers? 3/5
Philip: Lighter and more drinkable than I’d expected. Personally, I’d sweeten it slightly by using a Demi-Sec. Would be a great tipple for the winter months. 2/5
Cocktail #3 Lady Macbeth (Champagne + Port)
Steve: Another winter season drink. (I’m starting to giggle, so I’m going to change my 2/5 to 3/5). It tastes better as I drink more. Rather like a punch. I love Champagne tasting! 3/5
Caroline: Smells lovely and Christmassy. A lot of depth. Very alcoholic. 4/5
Chloë: Definitely a winter drink. Similar to Kir Royale but with a much heavier, drier taste. Made tastier with a larger measure of Port depending on how sweet you like it. Steve is starting to get better looking at this point. 3/5
Philip: Highly quaffable! Delicious mix of rich and dry. A posh man’s Cheeky Vimto. 3/5
Cocktail #4 Bellini (Prosecco + Peach Purée)
Steve: A wedding or summer drink. Tastes lovely and light. 4/5
Caroline: Very nice served ice cold. Thirst quenching but uninspiring. 2/5
Chloë: Very nice, would go down well at a BBQ. Very refreshing, not as sweet as I thought it would be. 4/5
Philip: Light, refreshing taste. Not as sickly as some peach drinks, as I thought it may be. 3/5
Cocktail #5 Champagne UK Bellini (Rosé Champagne + Peach Purée)
Steve: Very nice, light drink. 4/5
Caroline: Pleasant scent. I prefer this to the Prosecco version as the Champagne has a more apparent presence. 3/5
Chloë: Very crisp, with a nice dry edge that the Prosecco does not really provide. 4/5
Philip: The peach purée seems to go better with the Champagne as it creates a thicker, sweeter taste. 3/5
