Champagne Warehouse

Charity Tasting

You don’t often get the opportunity to taste several Grandes Marques in one evening plus Jean-Paul Morel Carte Noir! This was the treat for some generous people from Birmingham who attended a charity evening to raise funds for Brain Tumour  UK.  We (Tony and Helen) popped along to see how the Jean-Paul Morel fared as the only grower champagne among several famous Grandes Marques. Find out below! (Jean- Paul you can hold your head up high!)

The tasting was run by Richard Bampfield (Master of Wine and European Champagne Ambassador 2009) and Laura Clay (pictured above). Richard got the evening off to a spectacular start by opening a bottle of champagne with a sabre (sabrage). Daring guests were then invited to try their hand (or Richard’s sabre) at this ancient ritual- with success all round!

Richard about to demonstrate sabrage

The tasting  aimed to show how diverse champagne is and by sampling specially designed canapés the audience came to appreciate  how well champagne accompanies food. So you don’t just have to drink it as an aperitif!

The evening started with a comparison between Ruinart’s Blanc de Blancs and Jean-Paul Morel Carte Noir. The Carte Noir is 70% Pinot Noir and is aged for 4 years so it’s rich with red fruit and bready components; it was a great contrast to the lightness and citrus and apricot notes of the Ruinart. The Carte Noir easily cut through the roast beef and Yorkshire pudding canapé it was served with while the Ruinart was complimented well by a smoked salmon blini. We are delighted to say a show of hands voted  Jean-Paul as the favourite for that round.

Laura and Richard extolling the virtues of their respective champagnes

The second comparison of the evening was Taittinger Prélude Grands Crus versus Gosset Grande Réserve. The evening was made even more entertaining by the banter between Richard and Laura who extolled the virtues of the opposing champagnes. On this occasion Laura spoke for the lightness and delicacy of the Taittinger which demonstrates its chardonnay elements in the strength of the citrus flavours on the palate. Richard appealed to the audience to appreciate the richness of the Gosset Grande Réserve with its delicious cherry, almond and biscuit complexity. The Gosset had the edge in this round.

The final pair of champagnes was a Pol Roger Pure and a Louis Roederer Carte Blanche. The contrast between these champagnes was stark as the Pol Roger has no sugar added to it (known as Extra Brut or zero dosage) while the Louis Roederer which is a demi-sec has 42g/litre of added sugar! The demi-sec was wonderful with the little frangipani tarts.

To finish the evening with sophistication and flourish a 10 year old vintage Dom Pérignon (2000) was served. There was almost unanimous agreement that it was wonderful. Its freshness belied the 10 years it has spent in the bottle.

Thanks to Richard and Laura for showcasing one of Champagne Warehouse’s Champagnes.

Read more about Richard Bampfield and Laura Clay and their work at the Association of Wine Educators

Richard and Tony enjoying a glass of Jean-Paul Morel.