Tag: Champagne

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

Franco Stalteri on Champagne Charlie Burger ….. by Liz Palmer

If you’ve heard of Charlie’s Burgers, the stories have most likely been shrouded in mystery and intrigue. This auspicious, boundary-pushing, word-of-mouth popup-dining destination is the brainchild of Toronto resident Franco Stalteri.

I’m sitting down with Franco to discuss his latest venture “Champagne Charlie Burger” late December. Our meet-up took place at 416 Snack Bar one of his haunts and apparently a lively after-hours chefs’ hangout. The place is dark and sultry with the odd flicker of candle light and comfortable enough to interview and sip a glass or two of champagne without much notice.

Franco is probably one of the most stylish, driven, and savvy guys you’ll ever meet in Toronto and as Vice President, Brand Experiences at Your Brand Integrated Marketing Communications, he’s industry-connected!

LP -Tell me about Champagne Charlie Burger and the concept?

FS -Charlie’s Burgers has been around for over 3 ½ years and I thought it would be good idea to bring Champagne as an added feature to our events.

It’s been a one-year project from sourcing the house/grower, an agent and designing the label.

I found a champagne grower who was intrigued with my dining concept and the thought of combining it with champagne – he was willing to try something new.

LP -You sealed the deal and Champagne Charlie was born!

Franco presents Champagne Charlie Burger Blanc de Blancs Brut NV and strategically pours the champagne into my flute and his – we continue the conversation. I decline to eat as my focus was on the conversation and tasting notes.

LP -I’m very excited to hear …which are in the Champagne region, which classification, and which grower?

I pull out a map of the region.

FS -The village of Oger as he writes on the map. It’s located in the department of Marne, region of Champagne-Ardenne, and in district of Épernay.

Henry de Vaugency is an eighth-generation Champagne grower and family-owned.

All of the grapes are sourced from their own Grand Cru vineyards –They has over 12 hectares of prime 1er Cru vines scattered over ten villages with predominately chardonnay grapes.

The production is onsite, including pressing, bottling, ageing, disgorging and labelling.

LP -Can you tell me some historical facts on this house?

FS -This house started in 1732 and is still family-run, and I believe the cellars date back to the 18th century.

LP -What about Champagne Charlie Burger?

FS -It’s a very good quality Champagne, Grand Cru, Blanc de Blanc, with a blend of 01/02 and 03 vintages. It’s been cellar-aged for five years.

We have used it at some of our events and it’s been quite successful with guests.
Champagne Charlie Burger can be served as an aperitif, with appetizers, dinner or with dessert!
Sales are word-of-mouth and we are now on our 5th shipment.

LP -What are you pricing it at?

FS -A fair market price of $67.00 CDN

LP -So, what’s next for Franco Stalteri?

FS -I’m working on something exciting for February – watch and see!

TASTING NOTES:

VISUAL ASPECT: Brilliant colour and golden tints; fine lively bubbles with plenty of finesse.

NOSE: Notes of honey and green apple stand out, followed by complex citrus aromas; nicely mellow overall impression of a pure chardonnay that has aged for several years.

ON THE PALATE: Very fresh, confirming the rich bouquet; lively yet delicate in the attack, followed by a long-lasting finish; good balance between vinosity and elegance.

Champagne Charlie Burger.. A brilliant effort 93/100

Charlie Burger Champagne is available through
www.charliesburgers.ca
http://twitter.com/CharliesBurgers

Liz Palmer
@champagnehouses

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with Limited Edition Armand de Brignac Champagne Truffles – Created by the Chocolate Luxury Truffle Chocolatiers


Armand de Brignac the No. 1 Champagne in the world has collaborated with luxury truffle chocolatiers, the Chocolate, to produce the ultimate taste of luxury for Valentine’s Day, ‘Limited Edition Armand de Brignac Champagne Truffles Created by the Chocolate’

Armand de Brignac Champagne is a limited-production prestige cuvée that is produced by award-winning Champagne Cattier house of Chigny-les-Roses, France. The Cattier family has owned and cultivated vineyards in the Montagne de Reims terroir in the French Champagne region since 1763.

Created exclusively for Valentine’s Day, the bespoke handmade truffles are crafted using 63% Toscano Black, sourced from a small, family-run team of artisan chocolate makers based outside the Italian historic city of Pisa. The family prides themselves on their focus and desire to create the best chocolate in the world, and it comes as no surprise that they were awarded the prestigious ‘Golden Bean’ Best Bean to Bar award by the revered Academy of Chocolate.

The family uses a traditional granite stone mill to refine the cocoa beans and the ganache is created using a mixture of cocoa, cream and Armand de Brignac Champagne. At the final stage, the 15 truffles are flaked with edible 24-carat gold, enclosed in a bespoke boutique box featuring an edible pure 24-carat gold inlay, which has been designed to compliment Armand de Brignac Brut Gold Champagne.

A bottle of Armand de Brignac Brut Gold is also included and is presented in a black lacquer wooden box, fitted with an engraved nameplate and lined in black velvet.

Armand de Brignac and the Chocolate perfectly complement each other through their creative passion, use of traditional methods, approach to craftsmanship and their desire to create the best! These characteristics make the Limited Edition Armand de Brignac Champagne Truffles created by the Chocolate the perfect Valentine’s gift – for her and for him.


This bespoke gift is only available in the UK for a limited period, and can be purchased from www.the-chocolate.com for £400. Delivery of this unique hand-made product is within five days or can be expressed for specific delivery date.

Liz Palmer
@champagnehouses

Moet & Chandon’s Oscar Cocktail Contest

Moet & Chandon is holding a competition to find the best “Oscar Cocktail” and the winning drink will be served at the Governors Ball. The winner will also receive tickets to a behind-the-scenes “Oscar weekend” with bleacher seats on the red carpet, and much more.

The winner will be determined by the number of “likes” received along with a panel of judges. Judges include: renowned mixologist and cocktail writer, Lindsay Nader; Moët & Chandon USA’s Vice President, Ludovic du Plessis; Oscar-nominated costume designer and Chair of the Academy’s Governors Ball, Jeffrey Kurland; and chef, and host of the Cooking Chanel’s FoodCrafters, Aida Mollenkamp.

The winner and his/her guest will receive:

• a three-night stay at a Marriot hotel
• roundtrip airfare on United Airlines
• tickets to the Governors Ball Preview Event
• red carpet bleacher seats at the Fan Experience Red Carpet Arrival and Viewing Party on Oscar Sunday
• access to the official Oscar viewing party at El Capitan

To enter: http://oscarcontest.moet.com
Submit your recipe (which includes Moet & Chandon) and photo.

Liz Palmer
@Champagnehouses

Moët Hennessy’s Profits Rise 18% In 2011

Moët Hennessy’s net revenue increased 8% to €3.52 billion ($4.62b) in 2011, as profits from recurring operations for the year jumped 18% to €1.1 billion ($1.44b). Fourth-quarter revenue was up 9.4% to €1.21 billion ($1.59b).

Moët Hennessy attributed trading up in the Champagne business as well as strong upward momentum by Hennessy Cognac over the past year as key growth factors.

Moët Hennessy’s company-wide Champagne volume (led by Moet & Chandon and Veuve Clicquot) rose 0.5% to 4.6 million cases globally last year, according to Impact Databank.

Liz Palmer
@champagnehouses