CHAMPAGNE SPECIAL
214 | squaremeal.co.uk
Moët & Chandon
What's it all about? Moët ¦ Chandon's agship Brut Impérial aims to
be 'as balanced and harmonious as possible with a bright fruitiness,
seductive palate and elegant maturity', says winemaker Benoît Gouez.
Try this Moët ¦ Chandon Ice Impérial, created to be drunk over ice, is
back in the UK: check out the gorgeous rooftop terraces at London's
ME Hotel Radio Bar, Coq d'Argent, Mews of Mayfair and Bluebird.
Time to spare If Impérial is about consistency, Moët's Vintage
Collection is about personality, individuality and an expression of a
year, as the just-released Grand Vintage 2006 shows. Also seek out
recent releases of 1999 and 1985 vintages in magnum. moet.com
Where can you drink it? The Gilbert Scott, Marcus, The Moët
¦ Chandon Champagne Bar at Home House, Tredwell's.
WHY WE LOVE MOËT & CHANDON… Who else would make an
addictive tru� e-� avoured popcorn to pair with glasses of Impérial? Try
it out at the Royal Albert Hall or The Corner Restaurant Bar, Selfridges.
Philipponnat
What's it all about? This is very much a Pinot
Noir house, based in one of the most soughtafter
crus for the variety, Mareuil-sur-Aÿ. The
family roots date back to 1522 and the company
is still run by a descendant, Charles Philipponnat.
Try this The Royale Réserve Brut is elegant and
biscuity with a creamy richness in the mouth, this
has become one of the best NV Champagnes.
£37.50, Exel Wines, Harrods, Museum Wines, Whistle Wines
Time to spare Royale Réserve Brut Rosé, a favourite pink of
ours, is savoury, rich and complex. philipponnat.com
Where can you drink it? The Chapel in Bruton, Bentley's,
The Glasshouse, Searcys Champagne Bars, Season Kitchen
¦ Dining Room, Terroirs.
WHY WE LOVE PHILIPPONNAT… The ancestral records of the Philipponnat
family date back to 1522, with the � rst person listed being Apvril le Philipponnat,
who was an 'owner of vines at Le Léon, between Aÿ and Dizy, from 1522'.
Perrier-Jouët
What's it all about? Perrier-Jouët's Champagnes are all about
lightness, freshness and air, as personi ed by the iconic Emile
Gallé-designed white anemone- ower motif encasing its prestige
cuvée, Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque.
Try this The Grand Brut, although made from 80% black grapes,
always tastes fresh and light, as though it had more Chardonnay
in the blend. £40, Majestic, Waitrose
Time to spare Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque Edition Première 2007 has
just a soupçon of Pinot Noir added to grand cru Chardonnays to add
textural delights. Belle Epoque Blanc de Blancs 2002, 100% grand
cru Chardonnay from the
best sites in Cramant is
a step up in exclusivity.
Where can you drink
it? The Cadogan, Dabbous,
Dukes Hotel, Fifth Floor
Bar at Harvey Nichols,
L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon,
Magazine, Pennyhill Park,
The Ritz, Rosewood Hotel,
Sanctum Soho Hotel,
Searcys The Gherkin,
Tirage.
WHY WE LOVE PERRIER�
JOUËT… Redolent of another
era of joyous consumption, Belle
Epoque, with its Art Nouveauinspired
'desire to infuse beauty into
daily life', always brings a smile to
our face when we open a bottle.
The view from Searcys