My Private Champagne Cellar’s Post

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder... 😉 Recently A good friend of mine raised an exiting question about Champagne, which gave some food for thought. What is perceived to be the top 5 Champagnes worldwide? It is a difficult question and I believe, after contemplating, there is no right or wrong answer. It lies in a number of things, namely price, exclusivity or critic’s choices... However you could also go with a different approach. If to choose on what is exclusive and therefore expensive, some marketing comes into play. A great example is ‘Ace of Spades’! Jay-Z officially purchased Armand de Brignac in November 2014. Since the celebrity’s acquisition, the popularity of the brand has skyrocketed! The bottles do have the bling factor, however the quality of the champagne itself is under constant scrutiny. If size does matter its 30 liter Midas secured its place on the market as the one and only! The famous champagne houses have more funds to market their sparkly elixir, and thus are often perceived as ‘better’ champagnes. For me, consistency and complexity is key in tasting champagne. Since the drink itself means celebration, I would like to taste similarities in my new milestone’s and remember the old whenever we pop a bottle. I close my eyes, take the first sip.. and memories flow.. My personal top 5 is this: 1. Krug Clos du Mesnil 2000 or Krug in general 2. Ruinart ‘Blancs des Blancs’ 3. Bollinger La Grande Année 2007 4. Billecart-Salmon Rosé 5. Dom Perignon 1998 On my bucket list I have untried treasures: 1. Salon Champagne 1947 2. Salon Cuvée ‘S’ Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs 2002 What is your Top 5 of Champagnes? 🥂 As John Maynard Keynes said: “My only regret in life is that I didn’t drink enough Champagne.” 🍾 #Champagne #Maynard #BlancdeBlancs #Krug #BollingerLaGrandeAnnée2007 #SalonChampagne1947 #Jay-Z #BestChampagne #love #passion #wine #winery #wineyard

Cognac Maxime Trijol is a family-owned and operated distillery that has been producing premium cognacs for over 150 years. Their Grande Champagne VSOP Cognac is a standout among their impressive range of offerings. This particular cognac is made exclusively from grapes grown in the Grande Champagne region, which is widely regarded as the premier cru of the Cognac appellation. The grapes are distilled twice in copper pot stills, which allows for the preservation of their delicate flavors and aromas. The resulting cognac is aged on its lees in French oak barrels for a minimum of six years, resulting in a rich and complex flavor profile. Notes of vanilla, oak, and honey are complemented by a subtle floral bouquet, creating a well-balanced and smooth cognac that is perfect for sipping neat or in classic cocktails like the Sidecar or Vieux Carré. Cognac Maxime Trijol's commitment to quality and tradition is evident in every bottle of their Grande Champagne VSOP Cognac. It's no wonder that this cognac has earned numerous awards and accolades, cementing its place among the world's finest spirits. #drinkanthem #cognac #france #french #brandy #spirits #spiritsindustry #drinks #drinksindustry FTD COGNAC MAXIME TRIJOL Barbera Imports

🍾 Blanc de Blancs Blanc de Blancs is a gorgeous type of Champagne made with Chardonnay grapes. This one was a beauty. Blanc de Blancs means “white from whites.” It's Champagne made entirely from white grapes; in Champagne that means Chardonnay. There are a lot of winemaking rules in France. (The French love rules.) One of the rules in the Champagne region is that you can only make Champagne from these 8 grapes: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Arbane, Petit Meslier, Pinot de Juillet, Pinot Gris Vrai, or Pinot Blanc Vrai. Most Champagne makers use Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, or Pinot Meunier; if a Champagne label doesn’t say what type of grapes are in the bottle, it’s likely a combo of those three. Chardonnay brings freshness and elegance to Champagne. Pinot Noir gives Champagne structure and great aromas. Pinot Meunier gives Champagne really nice fruit. But, Champagnes made with just Pinot Meunier usually don’t age well. Blanc de Blancs is my favorite Champagne. When it’s made well, it’s incredibly elegant and fabulous with food. This Champagne Doyard Vendémiaire Blanc de Blancs Brut Premier Cru has creamy aromas and baked bread on the nose, with a beautiful golden straw color in the glass. It has delicate small bubbles that still have some force. (I’m not a fan of Champagnes where the bubbles are too wimpy. It always feels like the wine is going flat.) This Champagne has subtle lemon and chalk flavors and dried off my tongue really quickly (kind of how a dry martini feels in your mouth). It was stunning with raw oysters. Wine experts often talk about the tension in wine, which usually refers to a wine’s acidity. When a wine feels alive and bright and vibrant, they’ll say it has nice tension. This Champagne has that great energy. It dances in your mouth, and I am always down for a dance party. You can find it on Wine.com for $66.99. (That’s about the same price as some other very famous and popular bubbles that aren’t nearly as elegant.) 🥂 Chin to Erin Corrigan for the awesome gift! #champagne #chardonnay #sparklingwine #frenchwine #blancdeblancs

🍾 Champagne Taittinger is voted in top 10 of The World's Most Admired Champagne Brands 2024 by Drinks International "Taittinger is another famous, family-run business in Champagne that has performed consistently well in our Most Admired survey – it has never been outside the top 10 brands. One of its great strengths, particularly important at a time when grape prices continue to rise at a frightening speed, is its considerable vineyard ownership that covers some 288ha, making it the third largest domaine in the appellation. There’s a lot going on at the house currently, with the renovation of the historic cellars on the outskirts of Reims, where there’s a grouping of the finest, deep chalk crayères (including Ruinart, Veuve Clicquot and Pommery) on land that used to be outside the ancient town walls. They are due for completion and reopening later in 2024. The range of wines at the house remains unchanged and, given the very large vineyard resource available to winemaker Alexandre Ponnavoy, who has had the keys to the cellar door since 2018, we might perhaps expect to see something happening in the premium brut-sans année market here too. It is true that in the premium multi-vintage sector the house already has three offerings in the shape of the Grands Crus Prélude, the sweeter (sec) Nocturne that has a 17.5gm dosage and is now also available in a pink version – both designed for late-night drinking – plus the single vineyard Folies de la Marquetterie in Pierry just outside Epernay, but there’s surely room for more innovation. Champagne purists might argue that protecting production of prestige line Comtes de Champagne should remain the priority, and tasting the latest 2013 release it’s hard to argue with that logic. Made from five top Côte des Blancs Grands Crus – Avize, Chouilly, Cramant, Mesnil-surOger and Oger – where the family has enviably large vineyard holdings, Comte 2013 nicely captures the freshness, concentration, and vibrancy of this vintage. The long finish shows what you will be missing if you don’t have another bottle (at least) tucked away for future contemplation. Exclusively distributed in Vietnam by Celliers d'Asie Vietnam - Please contact our sales representatives for more information and special offers! 𝐂𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐈𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐃'𝐀𝐒𝐈𝐄 𝐕𝐈𝐄𝐓𝐍𝐀𝐌 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐨𝐫 3,000 Wines & Spirits | Extensive Distribution Network in Vietnam

Top 5 Wines Poured at Billionaire Weddings A glass of wine at a wedding evokes elegance and sophistication befitting of a momentous occasion. Choosing which types of wines to serve can be a daunting task.  Here are some of the finest and most expensive wines that you cannot miss: 1️⃣ Dom Perignon: Since nothing says celebration like a classic champagne, this bubbly is a staple at billionaire weddings. 2️⃣ Tignanello: This bold and beautiful Super Tuscan embodies superior quality, making it a must have for any big, fat Indian wedding. 3️⃣ Sassicaia: Another Super Tuscan legend, Sassicaia mesmerises with its refined elegance and depth. 4️⃣ Opus One: This wine promises a rich, immersive tasting experience. It's not just about enjoying a drink; it's about appreciating a legacy. Keep this things in mind when choosing a perfect bottle for your perfect wedding:  •⁠ ⁠Consider the season your wedding's in. •⁠ ⁠Pair your wine with your food menu. •⁠ ⁠Set a budget, sure. (But for these wines don’t think twice to bust it either) Let me know in the comments below which of these wines would you love to taste? #sonalholland #masterofwine #luxurydrinks #wines #winelovers #weddings #winerecommendations

Champagne not ‘Bubbly’; Veenus’ Promise to our Guests One of the most repeated feedback comments from our luxury train experience was our guests’ delight to receive champagne and not prosecco, cava, crémant or even sparkling wine. Isn’t it disheartening to think that customers have lowered their expectations so much that when they actually receive what is promised they are surprised? Furthermore, the 'champagne welcome' was just that – not a small half glass of something bubbly but three top-ups of real champagne. At Veenus we pride ourselves on our delivering what we promise. And it is delivered with flair and generosity. Where possible we strive to deliver a little more than we promise as an extra commitment to service and hospitality. A service promise complements your brand’s vision. However, it has its own role too. It brings to life the brand vision, making it real. While your brand’s clever and catchy motto may sound good, it only holds true significance if your team and product actively deliver on this promise in an authentic manner. Here’s to making every service promise a toast-worthy occasion! #champagnewelcome #brandpromise #servicepromise #brandvision #authenticservice #hospitality #luxurytrainexperience #toasttoservice #delightyourguests #customerexpectations  

Un monde de bulles - Le champagne ou la science de l'effervescence "Just finished a fascinating book in French by Gérard Liger-Belair, shedding light on champagne from a scientific perspective. As a physicist and professor at the University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Liger-Belair delves into the world of bubbles, challenging common misconceptions. Key takeaways include: - The revelation that a 75cl bottle of champagne holds nearly five liters of carbon dioxide, with a third escaping upon the initial pour. Glass shape matters, influencing both tasting and serving experiences. Tilting the glass when pouring minimizes wine-wall impact, preserving bubbles. - Temperature is critical; colder champagne retains more carbon dioxide. Bubbles don’t spontaneously form; they require microscopic matter like fibers, often from cloths, for nucleation. Therefore, praising 'fine bubbles' is a reflection of glass cleanliness. - Bubbles ascend, enlarging as they reach the surface, creating a burst that releases aromatic droplets, enriching the wine's aroma tenfold. This book is a must-read for champagne enthusiasts. For deeper dives into champagne, Tyson Stelzer's 'On Champagne' and Peter Liem's 'Champagne' are essential references. Enjoy your tasting and happy reading!" 🍾 📖 Gérard Liger-Belair Olivier Krug Vincent Chaperon Moët & Chandon Peter Liem Tyson Stelzer La Champagne Viticole Comité Champagne KRUG Champagne #champagne #champagnelover #winelovers #sparklingwine #grapevine #wine #winebusiness #winelife #winetasting #winemaker #wineeducation #winecountry #winestories #winedestinations #oenophile

The Art of Wine Enjoyment - Champagne Sabres As the most famous version of the story goes, Bonaparte, after one of his war battles said, “In victory you deserve it…….and in defeat you need it”. He then proceeded to strike a bottle of Champagne with his sabre to open it, and thus the ritual was born. Champagne sabres, where tradition, spectacle, and celebration converge. Discover the benefits, unique design, proper use, and the types of wines that make sabrage an unforgettable experience. 1. Benefits of Champagne Sabres: Sabering a bottle of Champagne is a show-stopping spectacle that adds a touch of theatre to any celebration. The burst of bubbles and the popping sound create an atmosphere of excitement and festivity. The use of a sabre creates a clean break at the bottle's neck, ensuring a smooth pour without any glass shards. 2. Design Features: The Champagne sabre typically has a long, flat blade with a hilt, resembling a sword. The blade is designed to glide smoothly along the seam of the bottle. The hilt often features an elegant handle, enhancing the overall aesthetic and providing a comfortable grip for the sabreur. 3. Proper Use: Ensure the Champagne or sparkling wine bottle is well-chilled, as the cold temperature helps with a cleaner break. Identify the seam on the bottle, which is the line where the two halves of the bottle join. With a swift, confident motion, slide the sabre along the seam, applying even pressure to the lip of the bottle. Allow the blade to follow through, continuing past the lip of the bottle. The pressure and speed will result in a clean break, and the cork will be sent flying. 4. Recommended Wines: Champagne, the classic choice! Champagne sabres are designed specifically for sparkling wines, creating a dramatic and memorable opening experience for your favorite bubbly. Embrace the tradition, sharpen your sabering skills, and make every bottle opening an unforgettable experience. Cheers to the thrill of the sabre, The RWC Team (Featured Sabre available for purchase at: https://bit.ly/4bB4wxV - Claude Dozorme Designer Saber with Bronze Guard)

Sometimes you have to make “the deal face” Do we have a deal or not?! Have you ever found yourself at the pinnacle of getting the “yes” but things stall. Did you ask for the order? Or was it presumptive and open ended? I’ve been asked each of these questions time and time again. And each situation garnered a different response. If you are not making moves to close the deal, someone else will. At the end of each day I ask myself, did I ask for the deal. I am someone who is up for a challenge and will always push myself to elevate the world around me. If you are looking for someone who will provide exceptional attention to detail, world class wine and a heck of a good experience, look no further! Let’s talk! Don’t make me make the face! Let’s make memories one stellar wine at a time! Cheers, Cam #wineambassador #winewithwarba #dealmaker #deal #smallbusiness #luxurywine #luxurylifestyle #luxury #wine #wineconcierge