Fizz The Season

Often referred to as the elixir of the gods and quite possibly the magic potion from Gaul that often appeared in Asterix comics, Champagne has long been the celebratory drink for all occasions. To a large part, the wine makers use predominantly Pinot Noir grapes mainly from the Champagne region mixed with Chablis from the Grande Crus of Chablis region of France. To be called a Champagne it must be produced in the Champagne region. Here is our selection for the festive season.

Dom Pérignon Vintage 2009

Dom Pérignon was a benedictine monk that around 1670 pioneered a lot of the Champagne making techniques of today. Perfecting the art of producing clear white wine from black grapes was one of these, Dom Pérignon was aiming to produce a clear white wine from black grapes, but often creating bubbles which he saw as a failing in his production. Fortunately the courts of France and England disagreed, this spawned the resulting Champagne industry. Today Don Pérignon is produced by Moët and Chandon and is always a Vintage Champagne with a reputation for excellence, and maintains a position of prestige with vintage Dom being highly sort after by billionaires and royalty, achieving incredible prices at wine auctions worldwide. The 2009 didn’t start out well, as a harsh winter and a wet spring made flowering difficult. Storms in July raised fears for the health of the grapes, but August brought perfect weather, uninterrupted and dry right up until harvest creating an exceptional vintage – magnificent fruit, flawless and healthy.

Tasting Notes: The result is a Champagne with aromas of lovely guava, grapefruits and stone fruit followed by woody vanilla undertones.

Enjoy with: The palate is majestic, ripe and fleshy. Perfect with fresh shucked Bluff oysters.

Moët Imperial Golden Sparkle limited edition bottle

Perfect for the festive celebrations Moët & Chandon introduces the Moët Imperial Golden Sparkle limited edition bottle. Putting a bottle of this on the table you are sure to impress – the shimmering golden hues and delicately textured effects on are a real showstopper. Loads of bling make it the perfect gift and the perfect celebratory drink when you want to make it outstanding. The highly festive bottle features Moët Imperial, Moët & Chandon’s iconic champagne.

Toast to the end of another great year with the Moët Imperial Golden Sparkle. Buy one for your boss, your in-laws or a good friend this Christmas – then buy one for yourself, so you can pop it open when the festive mood strikes you. For Moët & Chandon, success is a matter of style.

Tasting Notes: It is a sparkling bouquet, with vibrant, citrus intensity complimented with a fresheness.

Enjoy with: Seared scallops with pink grapefruit and brown butter sauce.

Moët Ice Impérial

Moët Ice Impérial, is the first champagne especially designed to be enjoyed over ice and is set to be the drink of summer. Moët Ice embodies the freedom and beauty of a summer party that combines friends, fun and sun. The Moët Ice Summer Sessions mark the season of celebration and champagne and will be held this summer for the public to enjoy great music and sunshine over a goblet of Champagne on ice in the heart of Auckland’s vibrant viaduct. Taking place at HeadQuarters they will include live DJ sets as well as a curated Moët Ice Impérial cocktail list. As the first Champagne designed especially to be enjoyed over ice, Moët Ice Impérial embodies the freedom and beauty of a summer party. When you drink Moët Ice try freezing some cucumber or strawberries in your ice cubes, but be sure to add the ice cubes after you pour the drink rather than adding the Champagne to the ice cubes – you’ll get more bubbles that way. This is the perfect drink for a hot summer day – not too dry and very easy to drink!

Tasting Notes: It has an intense, fruity bouquet with the aroma of tropical fruits, and notes of raspberry.

Enjoy with: Seared tuna on mango salsa.

Mills Reef Méthode Traditionelle NV (non vintage)

Mills Reef produce some outstanding Chardonnays and with this particular Methode they have used three different Pinot Grapes blended with their Chardonnay – Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Bactobel crafted in the traditional way from grapes grown in the Hawkes Bay area. A refined sparkling wine that was made in the time-honoured ‘methode traditionelle’ style, exuding a delightful array of fresh peach, vanilla biscuit, granny smith apple and citrus aromas.

Tasting Notes: The palate is wonderfully creamy with fresh acidity and delicate fruit sweetness of citrus, apple, and marmalade flavours, intertwined with a fine mousse and delicious breadiness, culminating in a satisfyingly persistent off-dry honeyed finish.

Enjoy with: This Champagne would be the perfect compliment to a creamy cheese like brie.

Mills Reef Rosie Sparkling Rosé VINTAGE 2016

While this is not a Methode Traditionale or a Cuvee i have included it because it is quite different. A delight sparkling red blended from Pinot Gris, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay grapes sourced predominantly from Hawkes Bay vineyards Rosie is a fine sparkling red wine. Rosie is a wine that screams summer and celebration!

Tasting Notes: A fantastic off-dry style of bubbles with a wicked hit of strawberry and fruit salad.

Enjoy with: A summer dessert such as a meringue with fresh berries.