Category: Reviews

The Champagne Lounge: Mumbai’s first standalone champagne lounge

Mumbai will soon have its first standalone champagne lounge in newly launched “F Lounge.Diner.Bar” at Lower Parel’s One, Indiabulls Centre. “The Champagne Lounge” will be conveniently located on the first level, will accommodate 30 guests from 7.30 pm to 1 am daily. The champagne list will consist only of  and Dom Pérignon and Moët & Chandon champagnes. The Champagne Lounge was designed exclusively by Moët & Chandon, they also have similar lounges in Madrid, Hong Kong and Macau.

Gaurav Bhatia, marketing director of Moët Hennessy India comments: “There can never be enough places to share the magic of champagne. Being forerunners in the business and having created the category in India, we believe in offering sublime experiences. The Champagne Lounge at F Lounge. Diner.Bar will redefine night life in the city.”

Mumbai’s existing champagne lounges include The Champage Lounge at the Oberoi, Nariman Point, Flute at Sahara Star, Vile Parle, and Six Degrees at the Leela, Sahar.

Does the average champagne drinker (in Mumbai) have the buying power for these venues ? Bhatia retorts, “The consumer in Mumbai is akin to the one in New York, Paris, Berlin, London and Tokyo. He is looking for tactile experiences that transcend the norm. We believe Mumbai has a highly sophisticated, well-travelled consumer who is ready for these experiences. Even the prices of tables at the lounge will be shared only on request.”

LVMH’s first ever hotel: “White 1921”


LVHM group, is set to pamper its well-heeled clients with its first hotel “White 1921”. Located in the heart of Saint-Tropez, on the renowned Place des Lices, White 1921 is a seasonal eight-room hotel with a bar set in the mansion’s garden designed by Jean-Michel Wilmotte.  The suites offer unique interior design, and are decorated in a modern style, offering each a distinctive personality.

LVHM has named its hotel venture White 1921 from the white paint and in honor of the Moët & Chandon champagne from 1921, which is regarded as one of the very best years for white wines across Europe.

Operated by trained LVHM Hotel Management, this new hotel also boasts a wine cellar stocked with copious amounts of champagne brands, including a rare vintage of Moët & Chandon from 1921. The key-attraction is the exclusive 82-seat bar, which serves unique snacks like white truffle popcorn.

White 1921 is run by six-person staff and is open June 14th through 7th October and prices range from $340 for rooms and $815 for suites.

Find “The Oasis” a pop-up Champagne bar on Aspen Mountain

The Little Nell, a ski-in, ski-out five-star, five diamond hotel at the base of Aspen Mountain, has launched “The Oasis” on Aspen Mountain complete with a Veuve Clicquot Pop-up Champagne bar this winter season.

As part of Veuve Clicquot’s annual celebration of winter “Clicquot in the Snow”, The Oasis guests receive après ski flutes of Champagne and spectacular views of Aspen Mountain. The bar features umbrellas, lounge chairs, solar-powered sound system, flags and other features that will make The Oasis stand out in the snow. But there is one thing – the guests have to find the secret location!

“Guests will receive clues to find the secret location of the mobile champagne bar on Aspen Mountain,” explained Little Nell Food and Beverage Director Sabato Sagaria. “Those that find the mobile shrine will be rewarded with magnificent views of the town of Aspen and the surrounding area, made even more beautiful with a glass of snow-chilled Champagne.”

Liz Palmer
@champagnehouses

Hilton Maldives Launches Maldives First Champagne Lounge, The Bubble Lounge

The Five star luxury resort, Hilton Maldives Iru Fushi has recently launched the first Champagne bar in the Maldives.

The aptly titled, “Bubble Lounge” will complete the resorts outstanding range of innovative food and beverage offerings. The Bubble Lounge will be located next to the Wine Cellar and Flavours Restaurant hosting up to 14 guests outside and a further six inside.

The Bubble Lounge will stock over 50 Champagne brands by the bottle and over ten Champagne brands by the glass. The extensive Champagne list will include Grande Marque, growers and limited edition vintages. Guests can choose from the “Champagne List” on an Apple iPad.

“The Maldives is synonymous with celebrations, and what better way to celebrate than in the first, and only dedicated Champagne bar in the region. The new concept will represent sophistication within an inspiring, over water venue and with our expert knowledge, we are able to deliver an exceptional service and product, offering even the most exceptional Champagnes by the glass,” said General Manager Jean Sebastien Kling.

For more information visit www.MaldivesIruFushi.hilton.com

Liz Palmer
@champagnehouses

New Release: 2003 Dom Pérignon

The 2002 has been widely acclaimed as one of the best. A few weeks ago Chef de Cave Richard Geoffroy decided to release a wine from 2003, a year when Champagne was hit by frost, hail, and an August heat wave – it seems to be a bit of a risk.

“We shouldn’t be afraid of hot years,” says Mr. Geoffroy. “We have to react to the condition of the year; there were some slight technical challenges but I’m very proud of this vintage.”

The 2003 vintage was made from grapes grown in the hottest summer in Champagne in 53 years. The vintage has slightly more Pinot Noir (60%) in the blend, with 40% Chardonnay. Although a powerful wine with plenty of fruit, it retains Dom Pérignon’s trademark finesse.

This vintage has character, but remains quintessentially Dom Pérignon with a round, rhythmical finish that dances delicately between mineral and floral flavors. To the skilled Chef de Cave, the 2003 is an intense memory and Richard Geoffroy beautifully captures this by saying, “I wish every single vintage could be as strong as 2003.”

DOM PÉRIGNON
Moët & Chandon, Épernay, Champagne, France
Vintage: 2003
Alcohol: 12.5%
Price: £100 or €120 (est)