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.

perrier-jouet.com

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