The Champagne Bureau held its annual trade and media tasting today at Banqueting House, London, where 79 brands presented 233 cuvees, with vintages ranging from 1998 to 2007, uncorking over 6,000 bottles. This event is the largest of its kind in Europe.
Liz Palmer
@champagnehouses
Veuve Clicquot has announced this week it’s shortlist for “Veuve Clicquot Business Woman Award” at the WIE (Women: Inspiration & Enterprise) Power Breakfast at The London Stock Exchange, and the three finalists are:
• Anya Hindmarch: Founder, Anya Hindmarch
• Helena Morrissey: CEO, Newton Investment Management
• Ruth Rogers: Chef & Owner, The River Café
The Veuve Clicquot Business Woman Award is regarded as the ‘Oscars’ of female entrepreneurs and business leaders, and is now in its 40th year. It celebrates entrepreneurial women who have made a significant contribution to business life in the UK. The nomination criteria are those ideals epitomised by Madame Clicquot: Entrepreneurship, financial success, Corporate Social Responsibility and acting as a role model.
All Finalists selected by the Veuve Clicquot Business Woman Award judging panel demonstrated the strongest evidence of all nomination criteria. Notable achievements included Helena Morrissey’s groundbreaking 30% Club, which helps champion the issue of women on boards, Anya Hindmarch’s entrepreneurial story and global pioneering of her ‘I am not a plastic bag’ initiative which raised the issue of plastic bag usage amongst the public’s consciousness as well as the government’s agenda, and Ruth Rogers’ steady growing business, changing how we perceive, as well as cook, Italian cuisine.
Carolyn McCall, a previous winner of the Veuve Clicquot Business Woman Award and current Panel member, noted: “The nominees for this year’s award are all great role models and have all the attributes that Veuve Clicquot looks for in its Business Woman Award. This award has played a vital role in recognizing and celebrating women in business.”
Sian Westerman, MD of Rothschild and member of the Veuve Clicquot Business Woman Award Panel commented: “This strong shortlist, drawn from an excellent long list, exemplifies what women can achieve in business: strong entrepreneurship and leadership, combined with a desire and ability to deliver real change in society. Spanning areas key to the UK economy of fashion, finance and hospitality, they are great role models for all who aspire to succeed in business.”
Jasmine Whitbread, CEO of Save the Children International and member of the Veuve Clicquot Business Woman Award Panel said: “It was inspiring to see the sheer quality and range of candidates for the award — busting the myth that there aren’t many women business leaders!”
The Award’s 20-strong judging panel is comprised of business leaders, including Carolyn McCall, Chief Executive, easyJet, Jasmine Whitbread, CEO Save the Children, Duncan Bannatyne, Entrepreneur and Dragon, Caroline Michel, CEO, Peters, Frasers and Dunlop as well as Sian Westerman, MD, Rothschild and other key industry experts.
The winner of the Veuve Clicquot Business Woman Award will be announced at a high-profile Champagne reception at The Ballroom at Claridge’s, London on the 18th of April 2012 at 6.30pm.
Christina Jesaitis, Senior Brand Manager, Veuve Clicquot said: “As we reach our 40th year of the award, social and environmental responsibility are still a key focus for our judges and this year’s finalists all represent business women that have embedded these important attributes into their organizations. The award also looks for those women that are able to act as more than just an example of a successful business woman, but rather an inspiration and mentor for future female entrepreneurs; we believe that all of our three finalists have demonstrated this quality.”
Liz Palmer
@champagnehouses
While most couples celebrate with a glass or two of Champagne on Valentine’s Day, The Cadogan has unveiled such indulgence of bubbly on a somewhat larger scale, by bathing in it!
“The Champagne Bath Menu” offers four imaginatively indulgent creations and is available from Valentine’s Day onward. You will have one of the most extravagant unforgettable experiences, in true celebrity style.
Did you know that it takes approximately 120 bottles of Champagne to fill one of Cadogan’s baths? Yes, it does! Not only will a personal butler will fill your bath with Champagne, your Champagne bathing experience is also accompanied by chocolate-covered strawberries, and a bottle of vintage Champagne.
Champagne Bath Menu
~ Per Bath ~
Louis de Custine Brut – £4,000
Perrier Jouet Grand Brut – £6,000
Perrier Jouet ‘Blason’ Rose – £8,000
Dom Perignon Vintage – £25,000
~
The Cadogan
75 Sloane Street
Knightsbridge
London
SW1X 9SG
Reservations:
020 7235 7141
www.cadogan.com
Archer Street is the first exclusive “Billecart-Salmon Champagne Bar” in London, and will be South Soho’s best-kept secret, taking on the sophisticated style of a “members-only club” and open to all those “in-the-know.”
The luxurious, laidback lounging areas are set over two floors and dotted with comfortable velvet sofas and button-back armchairs. The upstairs bar features large French windows, distressed wood paneling and plush velvet stools. The downstairs area has a playful and après ski feel with reclaimed rafter board walls, stripy cushions, quirky mirrors, and a long bar covered in antiqued steel panels. Renowned Italian restaurant, Bocca di Lupo and the soon to open Firmdale Hotel are in the neighborhood.
Archer Street promises Pop-up entertainment every evening with singing and dancing waiters and bar staff. A calendar of special themed evenings has also been created.
A monthly soiree will also be a specialty at Archer Street, where celebrities are invited to host their own evenings in the bar, giving a percentage of the proceeds to their elected charity. Each invited host can choose the theme of the evening and select the play-list of the DJ as well as take a turn behind the bar.
Archer Street – Billecart-Salmon Champagne Bar
3-4 Archer Street, W1, 020 7734 3342
www.archerstreet.co.uk
Liz Palmer
@champagnehouses
THE LOWDOWN:
Flûte was created in 1997 by founder/owner Hervé Rousseau, in a space on West 54th Street NYC. As a native Parisian, Hervé was inspired by his experience in the wine industry to combine New York’s unparalleled cocktail culture with a French attitude towards champagne, where no one waits for a special occasion to pop open a bottle of bubbly.
Flûte is most famous for their extensive list of champagnes. The London location promises to be more of the same – a place where London’s glitterati can get together and enjoy a glass or bottle of bubbly in stylish surroundings.
THE LOOK:
The London branch of Flute will follow the concept of the New York bars, featuring five private booths tailor-made for business or pleasure with their own volume and light controls.
PLAYLIST:
Music will play a key part in the Flûte Bar & Lounge offering, with a playlist created by top New York DJs Duane Harriott and Alec DeRuggiero. The venue will also present a full schedule of weekly and monthly events, including live jazz.
THE FIZZ:
Champagnes on offer will include vintage, non-vintage, prestige cuvée, rosé and boutique together with fabulous rare grower champagnes from choice vineyards. In addition, Flûte Bar & Lounge will premiere exciting new varieties such as Drappier Brut Nature Zero Dosage rosé and also serve some killer cocktails …so I’ve been told!
There will be approx.100 Champagnes by the bottle and 25 by the glass, with prices starting at £5 for a glass and £45 for a bottle – with today’s market, this is affordable!
THE FOOD:
There will be an innovative menu of light bites, spearheaded by a spring roll bar serving no less than 20 different fusion creations, an ideal accompaniment to a glass of chilled champagne.
WHO GOES: To be determined.
ADDRESS:
Flûte Bar & Lounge
4 Great Portland Street,
Soho,
London,
W1W 8PA
http://flutebar.com
