December 2025

Champagne Laurent-Perrier: Two Iconic Expressions for the Holiday Season

Among the many Champagne houses that balance intellectual rigour with pure pleasure, Laurent-Perrier stands confidently at the top of the pyramid. For the holiday season, two cuvées in particular capture my attention, both for celebratory exuberance and contemplative depth: Grand Siècle No. 26 and Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé. Each expresses a different philosophy of luxury – one built on time, precision, and layered complexity, the other on immediacy, purity of fruit, and joy. Together, they form an ideal festive pairing.

About Champagne Laurent-Perrier

The house known today as Laurent-Perrier traces its origins to 1812, when André-Michel Pierlot, a cooper and bottler from Chigny-les-Roses, established his enterprise in the Grand Cru village of Tours-sur-Marne. His acquisition of vineyard parcels known as Les Plaisances and La Tour Glorieux laid the viticultural foundations for what would become one of Champagne’s most influential independent houses.

Over the course of the 20th century, particularly under the visionary leadership of Bernard de Nonancourt, Laurent-Perrier evolved from a respected regional producer into a global Grande Marque, exporting to more than 140 countries. The house became synonymous with freshness, elegance, and technical innovation, pioneering the use of stainless-steel fermentation and challenging conventions with non-dosé and rosé Champagnes produced by maceration.

Today, Laurent-Perrier remains a family-owned business, continuing to strike a balance between heritage and modernity. Its stylistic identity is unmistakable: Champagne is defined not by power alone, but by finesse, clarity, and restraint.

Tasting Notes

Laurent-Perrier Grand Siècle No. 26

This prestige multi-vintage cuvée is composed of three exceptional years rather than a single declared vintage. Predominantly Chardonnay, complemented by Pinot Noir, it is sourced exclusively from Grand Cru vineyards.

Grand Siècle is built on Laurent-Perrier’s philosophy of creating a “perfect vintage in a bottle.” Extended lees ageing in chalk cellars allows the wine to develop extraordinary depth while preserving freshness. It rewards both patient cellaring and thoughtful immediate enjoyment.

Tasting Profile

On opening, the nose is refined and expressive: brioche, toasted almonds, hazelnut, warm pastry, honeyed nuances, and citrus peel. With time in the glass, additional layers emerge, including candied citrus, white flowers, gentle spice, gingerbread, and a finely etched mineral line. The palate is rich yet controlled, with a creamy, seamless mousse and remarkable balance between acidity and depth. Flavours of toasted nuts, brioche, citrus zest, and subtle stone fruit unfold toward a long, mineral-driven finish. The impression is confident, complex, and quietly powerful.

This Champagne is for slow contemplation and refined holiday meals such as white truffle, veal, fine poultry, or a perfectly roasted turkey. Grand Siècle No. 26 doesn’t shout; it resonates.

97 Points
Liz Palmer

Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Brut Rosé

This non-vintage rosé Champagne is made from 100% Pinot Noir, produced using the saignée (maceration) method, rather than blending in red wine. This technique preserves purity, structure, and aromatic precision.

Vinified with meticulous attention to aromatic clarity, the wine reflects Laurent-Perrier’s hallmark freshness and technical precision. Stainless-steel fermentation and careful lees management deliver intensity without heaviness.

Tasting Profile

In the glass, a delicate salmon-petal hue with fine, energetic mousse. Aromatically vivid, offering freshly crushed raspberries, wild strawberries, red currant, and hints of cherry, accented by subtle florals and a whisper of brioche. On the palate, the texture is silky and rounded, with bright red-berry flavours leading into gentle creaminess, a light mineral edge, and a refreshing, balanced finish.

Charming, expressive, and endlessly versatile, this cuvée rosé shines as an aperitif and pairs effortlessly with seafood, lighter holiday dishes, or even spicy cuisine. It’s festive energy in a glass.

94 Points
Liz Palmer

Wine Tourism

Laurent-Perrier’s headquarters and principal vineyards are located in Tours-sur-Marne, in the heart of Champagne. Its prestigious Château de Louvois, a 17th-century estate associated with Grand Siècle, reinforces the house’s connection to heritage and grandeur. The château’s Orangery, restored in 2023 and awarded the Pierre Cheval Prize, reflects ongoing investment in cultural preservation.

Laurent-Perrier maintains a discreet, curated visitor policy. While public tours are not guaranteed, select visits—often for trade or VIPs—offer access to some of Champagne’s most extensive cellars. In the context of Champagne’s tourism boom following UNESCO designation, Laurent-Perrier appears strategically positioned for high-end, heritage-driven experiences rather than mass visitation.

Reflections: Why Laurent-Perrier Still Matters in 2025

Laurent-Perrier occupies a rare space in Champagne: intellectually serious, technically innovative, yet emotionally accessible. Its willingness to challenge tradition, while respecting it, has shaped a style that is fresh, refined, and enduring. In an era where wine tourism increasingly values authenticity and cultural depth, Laurent-Perrier’s quiet confidence and curated approach feel not only relevant but refreshingly modern.

Johnnie Walker Blue Label: 1 in 10,000 Casks – Holiday Indulgence in a Glass

Few luxury spirits occupy the cultural and commercial space that Johnnie Walker does – instantly recognizable, rigorously consistent, and deeply rooted in Scotch whisky tradition. Johnnie Walker stands as a case study in how heritage and innovation can move in step. Within its portfolio, Johnnie Walker Blue Label represents the pinnacle: a deliberately rare, meticulously blended Scotch whisky designed not for haste, but for contemplation. During the holiday season, it offers both academic intrigue and unapologetic pleasure – this remains one of my favourite whiskies for this time of year!

Johnnie Walker Blue Label: Rarity by Design

Johnnie Walker Blue Label is not defined by age statements, but by selection. It is composed of some of the rarest and most exceptional Scotch whiskies from the house’s extensive reserves. Only one in 10,000 casks – including selections from long-closed “ghost” distilleries is deemed suitable for Blue Label, underscoring its intentional scarcity. The result is a whisky engineered for harmony and depth, with a lingering sense of quiet luxury.

Johnnie Walker Blue Label: Tasting Notes (Neat)

Blue Label opens with a restrained aromatic profile of soft dried fruits, honey, gentle floral notes, and hints of spice. On the palate, layers unfold gradually: dark chocolate, hazelnut, toffee, orange peel, and subtle touches of chilli and smoke. The texture is notably velvety, with seamless integration between sweetness and peat. The finish is long, warming, and elegantly smoky, with echoes of spice and cocoa that linger well beyond the final sip.

Johnnie Walker Blue Label: Pairing Exploration – Lindt Dark Chocolate & Hazelnut

When paired with Lindt Dark Chocolate, the whisky’s natural cocoa and dried fruit notes are amplified, while the chocolate’s bitterness sharpens Blue Label’s underlying sweetness and spice. The interaction is linear and refined – an ideal pairing for purists.

Paired with Lindt Dark Chocolate with Hazelnuts, the experience becomes more playful and textural. The nutty richness mirrors Blue Label’s hazelnut and toffee nuances, creating a rounder, more indulgent mouthfeel. This pairing feels particularly well-suited to festive occasions.

Whisky Tourism and Place

Johnnie Walker’s whisky tourism footprint is anchored in Scotland, with immersive visitor experiences in Edinburgh’s Princes Street, Kilmarnock, its spiritual home, with distilleries dispersed across the Highlands, Speyside, and Islay. The Johnnie Walker Princes Street experience in Edinburgh serves as a contemporary gateway to Scotch whisky culture, blending education, sensory exploration, and panoramic city views. For travellers, it reinforces the idea that Scotch whisky is not merely a drink, but a destination, rooted in landscape, history, and community.

Final Thoughts

Johnnie Walker Blue Label occupies a rare intersection of scholarship and celebration. It is a whisky that rewards analytical tasting while remaining deeply accessible as a symbol of holiday generosity and shared ritual. In a season defined by gathering and reflection, Blue Label offers a moment of stillness, proof that sometimes the most meaningful luxury is time well spent.

A Classic Hostess Gift for the Holidays: Nicolas Feuillatte Réserve Exclusive Gift Pack with Two Flutes

Amid the endless swirl of holiday gifting, a few offerings strike the elusive balance between polish and pleasure quite like the Nicolas Feuillatte Réserve Exclusive Gift Pack, complete with two refined Champagne flutes. It is an effortlessly gracious hostess gift – considered, celebratory, and refreshingly unpretentious.

Tasting Notes
At its core is Nicolas Feuillatte’s Réserve Exclusive Brut, a finely tuned blend of Pinot Noir, Meunier, and Chardonnay. The Champagne delivers both approachability and depth, revealing layers of orchard fruit, subtle brioche, and a lifted mineral finish. It shows good structure and is elegant and expressive.

Classic Pairings
At the table, Nicolas Feuillatte Réserve Exclusive Brut proves endlessly versatile. It pairs beautifully with holiday classics such as smoked salmon, roast turkey, or festive canapés, and shines just as brightly on its own as a refined aperitif. With its thoughtful presentation and timeless appeal, this gift pack elevates any gathering – proof that the best gifts are those that feel both celebratory and sincere.

Wine Tourism
Nicolas Feuillatte is based in Chouilly, in the heart of the Côte des Blancs, where it operates one of the most advanced Champagne facilities in the region. While the brand is globally recognized, it remains deeply connected to its grower network and regional identity. The Centre Vinicole – Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte also welcomes visitors, offering curated tastings and guided experiences that explore Champagne production, blending philosophy, and the cooperative model. It is a meaningful stop for wine tourism enthusiasts seeking both education and immersion.

Champagne Telmont: Where Heritage Meets the Future of Sustainable Champagne + Wine Review

Champagne is a region built on centuries of tradition, but every so often, a house emerges that doesn’t just update the rule book; it edits the whole document. Telmont, the organically driven, sustainability-obsessed house from Damery, is one of the most compelling modern narratives in Champagne today. With a history that stretches back more than a century and a present that leans confidently into ecological transformation, Telmont stands at the crossroads of heritage and next‑generation innovation.

A Champagne House Born in 1912 and Reborn in the 21st Century

Telmont was founded in 1912, when winegrower Henri Lhôpital established a small estate rooted in traditional Champagne viticulture. For much of the 20th century, the family-built maison remained a local, agriculture‑focused producer, known for meticulous vineyard work and precise blending.

The plot twist arrived in 2020, when Telmont received significant support from partners aligned with its environmental mission, including an investment from actor and environmental advocate Leonardo DiCaprio in 2022. Rather than pivot toward celebrity gloss, Telmont doubled down on its ecological commitments. By 2025, the house had emerged as one of Champagne’s most resolute voices in sustainability, championing:

Organic certification for 100% of its vines (a multi‑year transition nearing completion)
Zero unnecessary packaging
Full transparency in labelling
Renewable energy integration
A “leave no trace” approach across production and the supply chain

This ethos has earned Telmont a devoted following among sommeliers, collectors, and environmentally conscious drinkers, including the sustainably minded Gen Z audience, who treat vineyard biodiversity with the same reverence earlier generations reserved for luxury labels.

Location

Telmont’s home village of Damery sits in the Vallée de la Marne, west of Épernay. Historically dominated by Meunier, the region benefits from clay‑rich soils and cooler ripening conditions that allow the grape to express freshness and aromatic precision.

The estate farms vineyards in Damery as well as parcels in nearby villages, including Cumières, Hautvillers, and Boursault, creating a diverse mosaic of chalk, clay, sand, limestone, and flint soils. This range enables Telmont to craft blends that emphasize finesse, lift, and orchard‑fruit purity.

Damery itself offers a humble, pastoral counterpoint to Champagne’s grander tourism hubs. It is a village where winemakers still know their neighbours, tractors hum through the early morning light, and the Marne River glints softly between vineyard slopes.

Telmont Réserve Brut – Wine Review

No. 145037/312589
Disgorged in 2024
Dosage 3.4 g/l
40% Chardonnay
29%Meunier
31% Pinot Noir
Extra Brut

The Réserve Brut is Telmont’s thesis statement: a Champagne that foregrounds orchard fruit, chalk‑driven minerality, and winemaking restraint.

Appearance: A luminous golden hue with fine, persistent bubbles and an elegant mousse.

Aromas: Pear, apple, and peach, layered with hints of honeysuckle and almond.

Palate: Crisp apple and citrus notes intertwine with delicate brioche, supported by precise, refreshing acidity. The mousse is refined and persistent, carrying a mineral thread from start to finish.

Finish: Long, harmonious, and mineral‑driven, with lingering notes of candied fruit and citrus that echo the Vallée de la Marne’s signature finesse.

This is a Champagne that feels effortlessly composed, akin to a minimalist painting where every brushstroke matters.

92 Points
Liz Palmer

There are many reasons why I chose Champagne Telmont as one of my holiday favourites, including their wines’ favouring clarity over artifice, vineyard truth over marketing gloss, and ecological health over short-term convenience. In 2025, that stance resonates with a global audience seeking luxury aligned with values.

This house bridges Champagne’s agricultural past with its environmentally conscious future, proving that sustainability is not a trend, but a pathway to deeper, more authentic expression.

The 34th edition of Benvenuto Brunello: Italy’s premier wine preview showcases a vintage of elegance and restraint

Montalcino opened its historic cellars and welcomed the world once again for the 34th edition of Benvenuto Brunello, held November 20–24 at the Chiostro di Sant’Agostino. As Italy’s longest-running wine preview event, this year’s gathering brought the international wine community together to taste the highly anticipated Brunello di Montalcino 2021, alongside Brunello Riserva 2020 and Rosso di Montalcino 2024. With 122 wineries presenting their wines and approximately 100 journalists and industry professionals in attendance, the event underscored Brunello’s enduring status as one of Italy’s most prestigious wine denominations. The international presence was particularly notable, with nearly half of the attending journalists coming from abroad, reflecting Brunello’s truly global appeal.

The event maintained its successful dual format pioneered in previous years. The first three days (November 20–22) were reserved for trade and media, featuring technical tastings. The final two days opened to Italian and international wine lovers, restaurant professionals, wine merchants, and sommeliers for walk-around sessions where they could meet producers directly.

Brunello’s continued market strength

Brunello di Montalcino has achieved what few wine denominations can claim: sustained growth in both prestige and commercial success over the past half-century. The denomination’s popularity continues to expand in world markets, driven by rising average prices, stable volumes, and growth in strategic regions. Recent data from Wine Intelligence confirms Brunello’s exceptional brand recognition in Italy, where it is known by two out of three consumers, surpassing in notoriety even neighbouring Tuscan appellations.

Rosso di Montalcino continues to show impressive growth. Following the expansion of vineyard area, bottlings in the first ten months reached nearly 4 million State Seals issued, marking a 29% year-on-year increase. This secondary appellation has become an important entry point for consumers discovering the territory while also serving as an earlier-drinking expression of Montalcino’s terroir. The Consorzio announced plans to launch a new promotional program for the denomination in 2026, involving collective participation in primary markets, particularly the United States, as well as additional strategic destinations. The aim is to diversify business opportunities for producers as much as possible, ensuring the denomination’s continued growth across multiple markets rather than relying too heavily on any single region.

Understanding the 2021 vintage

One of the highlights of the event was the presentation of the 2021 vintage characteristics through Brunello Forma, the Consorzio’s comprehensive technical analysis program. Now utilizing data from 60 weather stations (a 54% increase over 2020) and comparable to the 30-year historical average (1996–2025), the analysis provided detailed insights into what shaped this distinctive vintage. The 2021 growing season was defined by two main weather anomalies: a notably colder spring than historical norms, especially during March, April, and May, and a significantly warmer, drier September.

What made 2021 particularly unusual was the complete absence of rain between late August and early September, a pattern atypical for the Montalcino area. The vintage narrative began dramatically on April 8 with one of the most severe spring frosts of the past two decades. Following an early budbreak prompted by rapidly increasing temperatures from March 24 onward, the sudden plunge in minimum temperatures, exacerbated by a strong North Atlantic cold front, delayed the entire vegetative cycle and significantly reduced yields in some areas.

Summer brought a pronounced water deficit rather than thermal excess. Despite the persistent drought, maximum temperatures remained moderate, with only brief heatwaves observed. This restraint proved crucial to wine quality. The marked diurnal temperature variation, combined with the absence of prolonged heat stress, allowed the grapes to maintain freshness and aromatic complexity even under challenging conditions. Harvest commenced in the second half of September under clear skies and concluded rapidly in early October, with all fruit brought in before the first significant rainfall arrived after October 5. The resulting wines reflect a vintage shaped by discipline and precision: approachable yet structured, elegant yet concentrated, offering immediate appeal while promising graceful evolution over time.

A unique territory for the pure expression of Sangiovese

The Brunello production area corresponds to the historical limits of the Municipality of Montalcino, a picturesque village just 40 km south of Siena, surrounded by vineyards, olive groves, and historical sites. The Montalcino district comprises 3,500 hectares of vineyards registered under the DOC and DOCG designations. The production area is shaped like a square around the town, and it’s fascinating to observe the microclimate differences in such a compact territory.

This is a dry land encompassing a multitude of microclimates and soils. Generally speaking, grapes located in the cooler northern areas of the DOCG tend to ripen more slowly. These vineyard sites are located at higher elevations (but never over 600 meters) and are planted in gravelly Galestro soil. On the south side, the grapes grow in an entirely different environment. The soils are richer, such as clay; the sunlight is more intense; sea breezes blow from the Tyrrhenian Sea; and the resulting wines are more powerful. Furthermore, the presence of Mount Amiata (1,740 m) to the south has an important influence by shielding the grapes from strong atmospheric phenomena and providing breezes that help keep the climate dry and the vines healthy.

Tasting impressions of the 2021 vintage

After tasting most of the Brunello di Montalcino 2021 samples, the overall impression is of a vintage that shows approachable drinkability supported by good structure and finesse. The wines reflect the character of a season defined by moderate temperatures, marked diurnal variation, and water stress without extreme heat. The result is a Brunello that balances freshness with concentration, offering elegance and refinement that will continue to evolve beautifully over time.

The Sangiovese Grosso: the fingerprint of Brunello

Brunello di Montalcino is a 100% Sangiovese-based wine that needs long periods of aging before reaching its quality peak, but once achieved, it represents a true champion of balance, complexity, and maturity. Sangiovese is the only grape allowed in the Brunello di Montalcino DOCG. It is a very sensitive native grape and one of the highest-quality varieties, requiring careful practice and impeccable attention throughout its production process, harvest, and vinification.

It is a variety that shows fragrant notes of cherry and plum, hints of spice, and an extraordinary texture. The natural tannic structure and high acidity levels of Sangiovese are the main factors behind its longevity. It performs differently in each site and changes depending on its environment. The terroir, combined with the play of time, has always produced elegant wines with perfectly balanced, rich bouquets. Brunello di Montalcino never fails to surprise. It is an example of impressive year-by-year quality persistence, and every vintage reveals a different profile of Sangiovese’s beauty, showcasing a new nuance of its character each time.

Montalcino: a year-round wine destination

Montalcino was historically an important stop on the Via Francigena, a road that ran from England to Rome, and therefore it welcomed and hosted influential figures, including nobles, politicians, and popes. The great wines of Montalcino were crafted to satisfy the illustrious visitors traveling to the Eternal City, which is why the hamlet has displayed absolute quality winemaking for centuries.

Montalcino today is internationally recognized as an authentic, high-end wine destination. Visiting Montalcino is not just about tasting. It is connected to the history of its people and helps visitors understand why wine is so deeply integrated into the culture of its inhabitants, who, from generation to generation, continue to pass on their passion and know-how.

While Benvenuto Brunello represents a highlight in Montalcino’s calendar, the region offers exceptional wine experiences throughout the year. Many of the 122 participating wineries welcome visitors year-round, though reservations are essential. Experiences range from basic tastings to elaborate tours, including vertical tastings of multiple vintages, vineyard walks with detailed explanations of different terroirs, barrel tastings in historic cellars, and food-and-wine pairing experiences. Some estates offer helicopter tours of the denomination and harvest experiences during September and October.

The territory hosts several notable events beyond Benvenuto Brunello. The Brunello Crossing in February features competitive and recreational hiking trails through the vineyards, offering routes ranging from 10 to 44 kilometers. The Jazz & Wine Festival in July combines world-class jazz performances with wine tastings in historic settings. L’Eroica in October, the famous vintage bicycle race traversing the scenic white roads of Tuscany, includes a special route through the Brunello vineyards. Honey Week in September celebrates local honey production with tastings and pairings with Moscadello di Montalcino.

The surrounding UNESCO World Heritage landscape of Val d’Orcia offers activities for every interest, from hiking and biking trails to the iconic cypress-lined roads featured in countless photographs and films. Historic abbeys, including Sant’Antimo, where Gregorian chants still echo through the stone halls—natural hot springs in nearby Bagno Vignoni and San Filippo, and the artistic treasures of Pienza and San Quirico d’Orcia provide rich cultural experiences.

The town welcomes many visitors, and the care devoted to hospitality has become just as important as the attention given to its wine. Ancient buildings and modern B&Bs, luxurious accommodations within wine estates, and impeccable hotels offer diverse lodging options to suit different preferences and budgets.

Filippo Magnani