That time of year again came around pretty bloody quick this year. The annual Champagne and Sparkling Wine World Championship, presided over by one of the UK’s leading champagne experts, Mr Tom Stevenson. It’s also one of the hottest tickets in town as poor old us that attend have no choice but to try as many of the finalists as possible to see if we agree with the judges.
This really is one of those “I’m a lucky boy” nights.
SQUEEZING INTO THAT POOR OLD TUXEDO
The night doesn’t start with me feeling all that lucky. Back in the days of a salary I never bothered to buy a new tuxedo as I never really went to any place that needed one. Now I need one and I’m staring rather uncomfortably at the Moss Bros knock off I bought for a uni ball when I was 18.
Bit of swearing and jumping up and down later and I was in….couldn’t breathe….but I was in!
NO-ONE LIKES A SHOW OFF….EXCEPT THE JUDGES
There were lots of categories on the night, with wines from round the world and all different kinds of sparkling methods on offer. Megan Parnell (pictured above) from South Africa’s Domaine Des Dieux managed to snaffle a prize over on our table, so I’ll take that as a win by association. Cheers Megan 😉
But there was an undoubteded winner on the night though. The team at Louis Roederer swept the boards, picking up something n the region of 9 (or was it 10) awards on the night. They were having to tuck them under their chairs as there was no space left on the table!!
Fair bloody play to them. The wines are all tasted blind by a panel of 4 all giving their own scores and arguing their own points. To get through that lot with that many awards takes some doing, so fair play.
THE ONES THAT GOT AWAY
There were ones on the night however that I tried and was amazed they weren’t claiming prizes on the night. Bear in mind I don’t get to drink it that often, but anything Belle Epoque by Perrier Jouet just has me in a Cheshire cat grin. I love it. And cellar master Hervé Deschamps brought a couple of magnums of the 2004 Blanc De Blancs with him.
You were robbed Hervé, it’s an absolute belter!! You’re a shoe-in next year 😉
Cheers
