Best Champagne Deals September 2023

By Master of Wine, Christopher Burr 12/12/2022 This is the first of three articles about the gastronomy of the Christmas feast, and what to drink, be that the best quality and value for money, or an extravagant "splurge" on something very special and memorable. Let's start with pre- lunch or dinner canapes and fizz. Canepes could be crostini with goats' cheese, chicken liver or fois gras pate', olives, nuts, crisps, blini pancakes with smoked salmon or smoked roe or even caviar! With all…

By Master of Wine, Christopher Burr 04/02/2022 Valentine's Day has been celebrated, first as a pagan festival, then by the ancient Romans then associated with various Christian Saints called Valentine, as a festival of romance and love. Around the World flowers, chocolates and gifts are given, but for a romantic evening what is it best to drink? The fashion for pink wine has to be a good place to start. A nicely romantic aperitif might be a bottle of pink fizz, and there are lots of great…

By Master of Wine, Christopher Burr 20/01/2022 I was fortunate enough to work for Champagne Bollinger, or rather the UK agent they own, Mentzendorff, in the 1990's. Of course, working for a wine like that you get a great insight into what makes it tick, why it is one of the best loved Champagne brands, and why it attracts such a glamourous and interesting following. I suppose the first thing is the people who own and run it. Essentially family owned and run for many generations since it…