In celebration of Global Champagne Day on Friday 28 October 2011, Australian Champagne Day Ambassador Jayne Powell (aka Champagne Jayne) hosted a “Sunrise on Global Champagne Day” event at the American Club in Sydney.
And the champagne corks popped around the globe.
The “taste n tweet” session saw a select group of Australian lifestyle media, bloggers and corporate clients taste eight exclusive champagnes that ranged from growers champagne to prestige cuvées and share their experiences on Twitter using the hashtag #ChampagneDay.
Champagne Jayne, a leading consumer champagne expert and independent reviewer, led each tasting in her inimitable style and was joined by special guest Ed Carr, Australia’s most awarded sparkling winemaker, and Gourmet Traveller WINE magazine Winemaker of the year 2011. Together, they shared their perspectives on the various styles of champagnes as guests’ tweets were projected onto a large overhead screen.
Champagne Jayne
Twitter stream for #ChampagneDay on the big screen
Tweeting during the tasting
The tasting was a journey through the Champagne region, with each glass of bubbles building in complexity and flavour.
The first ‘Happy Champagne Day’ toast was made withChampagne Pierre Gimonnet Blanc de Blancs, a 1er cru from the village of Cuis made from 100% Chardonnay grapes. A growers’ champagne we previously tasted at one of Champagne Jayne’s events, it has a yeasty brioche aroma on the nose, fresh and crisp on the palate with citrus notes and slight acidity. This is a lighter style of champagne that goes well as an apéritif and as an accompaniment to seafood.
Next was the Paul Bara Grand Cru Rosé (Blanc de Noirs) a Pinot Noir made from the grand cru village of Bouzy. Rosy pink in colour with strawberries on the nose, it delivers classic rosé fruit to be enjoyed in summer.
Ed Carr, Gourmet Traveller WINE magazine Winemaker of the year 2011
“I can never drink Taitinger without thinking of James Bond”, Champagne Jayne said as lead the tasting of the next bracket of grandes maisons de champagne. In her upcoming book, Champagnes… Behind the Bubbles, a chapter entitled Champagne 007: Secret Agent of Seduction is devoted to 007 chronology and the champagne houses in the Bond films.
Taittinger Brut Reserve is made from 40% Chardonnay and 60% Pinot Noir, an elegant and pure champagne which exudes class. It has a brightness and freshness which makes it a good apéritif style wine.
Next along the tasting journey was Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve, dubbed as a gastronomic champagne made from a blend of 40% Pinot Noir, 35% Pinot Meunier and 25% Chardonnay. Further highlighting the differences between the bubbles, this drop has fresh oven-baked brioche on the nose and earthy, buttery and mushroom characters.
Duval Leroy Rosé is crafted from a blend of 1er cru 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay and has a vibrant pink colour. With cherries and light fruit on the nose, it has a well-balanced vinosity on the palate.
Throughout the taste and tweet session, Champagne Jayne regaled guests with anecdotes and interesting facts from her soon to be released book, Champagnes…. Behind the Bubbles which was recently reviewed on Gourmantic.
The book takes a reader on a journey from the history of champagne during the Roman times to modern day popular culture and is a wealth of information for champagne novices, enthusiasts and professionals.
The Prestige Cuvée tasting bracket started with Pommery Cuvée Louise 1998, a blend of 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir made from grand cru grapes sourced from the towns of Avize, Cramant and Ay. 65% Chardonnay 35% Pinot Meunier are blended to create an elegant prestige cuvée with fruity tones and a medium-to full bodied palate with tropical citrus flavours. A later vintage of this Pommery was one of the favourites from the CIVC Champagne Bureau Tasting we attended earlier this year.
Pol Roger Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill 1999 is made in the pre World War II style that Churchill was known to prefer. A full-bodied champagne with robust flavours and a lingering palate.
And for the finale, Armand de Brignac, voted the number one champagne in the world by Fine Champagne magazine, was a fit toast with which to end the tasting on Global Champagne Day. Produced by Champagne Cattier, and bottled in distinctive gold bottles with an Ace of Spades label, this luxury cuvée is made with 40% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir and 20% Pinot Meunier and aged sur lie for a minimum of 5 years. Full-bodied with peachy notes and fruit character, it is a little sweeter on the palate than expected and exudes complexity.
View of Sydney from the American Club
The event was held on the 14th floor of the American Club which has sweeping views over Sydney, the Royal Botanic Gardens and parts of the harbour. More photos of the guests, as well as Ed Carr and Jayne Powell below.
Sunrise on Global Champagne Day with Champagne Jayne took place from 3pm to 5pm in Sydney, just before sunrise on the other side of the globe for Global Champagne Day celebrations. Tickets were available by invitation only.
For a photo gallery of the event, visit Gourmantic on Facebook and “Like” the page.
Champagne Jayne
http://champagnejayne.com
The American Club
Level 14, 131 Macquarie Street
Sydney NSW 2000
http://www.theamericanclub.com.au
Gourmantic attended the event as a media guest.
Ok, now I’m just downright jealous… how many champagne events can one person go to? Again, my jealousy coming out 🙂 Seriously, looks like a wonderful event & I’m so excited to see Twitter incorporated into the tastings – now there’s a side of social media I can really get behind 🙂
It’s a lot of fun to tweet and taste! Mind you, I was juggling photography, note taking and other activities. As for champagne events, there can never be too many! 🙂
Hey Tuula – have to agree that champagne appreciation is perfectly matched to social media 🙂 its great fun sharing effervescent experiences online & in person.
Corinne – another great sparkling story Miz! Cheers CJ
Thank you so much for the kind words and for the invitation, CJ! You know how to put on the most effervescent events! 🙂
What a fun way to celebrate champagne day! Looks like another great event – makes me feel I was there!
Thanks Katie! That’s my aim, to make readers feel part of the experience. Cheers!
Way to go to be among the first in the world to celebrate. Cheers to you Ms G!
One of the perks of being in Australia with global events. Santé to you!
Can every day be champagne day! What fun to try some of the amazing champagnes that you often don’t get to try. The Armand de Brignac sounded interesting
Yes! That would be a cause for celebration indeed. I’m very pleased I got to finally try Armand de Brignac. They make a rosé as well which is worth keeping an eye out for.
That book sounds so interesting, Corinne. I love learning the history behind things. 🙂
Very much so, Krista. I couldn’t put it down when I started reviewing it!
[…] Gourmantic […]
Too much fun. i also really like that Champagne Jane included anecdotes and interesting facts with the tastings – i love a good tasting (run by a knowledgable person) but I also really enjoy the history and stories surrounding the drinks as well.
She’s brilliant at such events! Her book is filled with so many of these stories that it’s hard to put down.
You get the best booze event tickets hahahahaha
I can’t argue with that! 🙂
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I agree, it was a fantastic event and a terrific example of how social media and event marketing can effectively integrate. We hope to see more PR and traditional firms looking at a more convergent approach to building groundswell. As social architects, Mighty Media Group created a post on World Champagne Day 2011 from a slightly drier, strategic point of view on our company blog. (Hope to be sharing Bubbles again with you soon!)
Stephenie (@Digitalgodess on Twitter)
Thanks so much for your thoughtful comment. Social media can touch an audience in different ways and I’m glad to be part of it. A pleasure to meet you Stephenie and look forward to clinking glasses again!
Sounds a lot of fun!
I had Duval-Leroy Rosé for my birthday a couple of days ago, and this single cuvée deserves the title of Best champagne rosé ever!
It’s great, isn’t it… I like how Rosé is enjoying a revival around the world!
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