Champagne Deutz to Make U.S. Representation Transition in 2012

After 13 years within the Maisons Marques & Domaines USA, Inc. (MMD) portfolio, Champagne Deutz will soon enter a new phase in the U.S. market.

Starting in 2012 Champagne Deutz will initiate a Regional Representation strategy, which means the brand will be represented by importers/distributors independent from the Champagne Louis Roederer network; thus following the worldwide protocol for the brand.

Fabrice Rosset, Chairman & CEO of Champagne Deutz, states: “Our worldwide strategy has been to have a separate importer from the rest of the wineries within the Group Roederer. It has served us well and we feel now is the time for the U.S. to follow the same strategy. I would like to commend MMD and its marketing and sales teams for building the image of our House and for establishing our presence nationally.”

Gregory Balogh, President & CEO of MMD, comments: “We are proud of our achievement and our partnership with Champagne Deutz over these many years. It has allowed the brand to get the attention it deserves in the highly competitive U.S. market. We wish our colleagues and friends of Champagne Deutz success in the future. We will always remain fans of this great brand.”

CHAMPAGNE DEUTZ
One of the oldest members of Champagne’s prestigious Grandes Marques houses, Champagne Deutz of Ay, France, (www.champagne-deutz.com ) has been making distinctive champagnes marked by finesse, elegance and complexity since 1838. The house has upheld the traditions of fine Champagne making handed down through five generations. Owning a significant portion of its own vineyards, Deutz selects only top rated grapes from 275 acres of vineyards in the finest crus of Champagne. The wines are slowly and carefully aged in the chalk-walled cellars far beneath the historic village of Ay.

Liz Palmer
@champagnehouses

Air France “l’Espace Affaires” – Crossing the Ocean in Style

I am beginning my ten-day journey to Paris, the Champagne Region of France and Belgium. I am flying “l’Espace Affaires”/Business Class from Toronto to Paris, and looking forward to the “Business Class” travel experience with Air France.

Settling into a large comfortable seat with a welcoming glass of Champagne, a copy of the Air France in-flight magazine immediately gets me into a “Parisian” mood. The magazine consists of Paris spring fashion trends, locations of the best restaurants as well as comments on what is going on in the art scene. This in-flight magazine is a fashionista’s dream come true; lots of French-styled shoes, dresses, purses…. In between sips of Deutz Brut Classic, I’m handed a dinner menu and wine list by one of the coiffed, well-mannered flight attendant who speaks both French and English.

The wine offerings are superior, and it is refreshing to see a well-constructed wine list that has ample offerings. I notice there is a reference on the menu that the wines have been chosen by Olivier Poussier, the World’s Best Sommelier in 2000 – this is an added bonus. The attendants place a white linen tablecloth on my table, immediately followed by fresh, delicious baguettes with creamy butter. I choose Saint-Veran Chateau de Fuisse 06 a nice easy Burgundy, to pair with my choice of seafood hors d’oeuvre of marinated shrimp, served with miso and ginger sauce, served with soba noodles.

The main course of grilled tournedos of beef with scallion butter, potatoes au grain, broccoli and tomato truly melts in my mouth, particularly paired with a glass of Clos Triguedina Cuvee Prince Probus 05. This is another perfect match and an excellent choice with meat and game-nice intensity and refinement.

Fine china, silver and an impressive wine list coupled with first class service, make me feel like I am in an exclusive international restaurant, not on an airplane! I skip coffee and chocolate torte, and decide to get a few hours of sleep. I found sleeping a delightful and restful experience. The tilted seats turn into a perfect horizontal position and pillows and quilts are quite abundant. Within a few hours I awaken to the smell of fresh coffee brewing…Y E S I’m almost in Paris. The French-style breakfast consisted of juice, yogurt, fresh fruits with pastries, lots of coffee, and Champagne if I want – so perfect!

My “l’Espace Affaires”/Air France Business Class experience has truly proven to be Crossing the Ocean in Style!

Liz Palmer
Wine and Travel Writer