Christopher Walkey
The Relationship Between Desserts & Rosé Champagnes
Rosé Champagne is usually that touch more special, right? Certainly a few £s more when we look to purchase a bottle compared to their brut (white versions) – This is via the marketplace setting the price, not the cost to produce it, as many white Champagnes are made with black grapes anyway. Could we say…
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What is Placomusophilia?
Are you a placomusophile? Are you always tempted to keep hold of the plaque de muselet when you pop open a bottle of bubbly? Are you confused yet? For those not in the know then let me explain what these words and terms mean and it is quite an exciting and hotly followed subject in…
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How many Grapes does it take to make a Bottle of Champagne?
I am assuming that you know it takes grapes to make a bottle of Champagne?! In fact, all wines (unless stated otherwise) are made from grapes of which there are over 10,000 varieties across the world that are used in the production of reds, whites, rosé and fizzy ones. Popular grape varieties include: Chardonnay Pinot…
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What does Grand Cru Mean?
A certain phrase that you like to see on your bottle of wine is ‘Grand Cru’. These magical two words will mean that you are in for the finest end product of the better grapes of the wine region you are about to enjoy the wine of – You’ve got one of the better examples…
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Champagne Producers: Deutz
Nestled peacefully and yet boldly within the Champagne producer community of what for many is the wine regions best village, Aÿ, sits Deutz. I am always surprised by the somewhat lazy and tranquil atmosphere in Aÿ, though it holds some of the world’s most famous Champagne houses, the pace of life remains never more, it…
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André de Villeneuve Rosé Grand Cru – Voted Best in the World for 2022
The finale of the sixth annual Glass of Bubbly Awards took place on Regent Street, London just recently at San Carlo’s restaurant with guests arriving internationally for the evening dinner and trophy announcements. 20 hand made trophies were given out including the Slow Food UK Sustainability Trophy and the World’s Finest Carynx. Things were all…
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Cooking with Red Sparkling Wine
I’m sure that many of us haven’t even heard of red sparkling wine let alone tasted any. Surprisingly though, options to enjoy fizzy red wine are in abundance from many different countries and even in the UK certain wineries are producing their own labels. I have tasted some fine examples from Australia to Argentina with…
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Wine TV Shows – Let’s Tune in to some Greats!
Throughout the years television has seen a variety of wine shows / programmes and presenters enlightening us about the world of wine. Most times these shows are designed to be both entertaining yet also educational, a sprinkling of key wine facts delivered in between tours of vineyards and cellars or amongst the pots and pans…
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Xavier Leconte Ratafia Champenois
A rather unique set-up in that Champagne Xavier Leconte vineyards are a combination of forty small plots spread over the villages of Troissy, Dormans, Mareuil-le-Port, Vandières and Aÿ. The family winery sees Alexis as the head winemaker keeping to the traditions of his grandfather, Aimé, working the vineyards and wines in a singular way including…
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