Let’s get fizzical

From the very first moment that those bubbles burst on to your tongue, you feel that you are drinking something special. A glass of fizz is almost certain to get you into the festive mood.  

Sparkling wine should be served between 5C to 10C, (8C – 10C for champagne), so pop the bottle into the fridge a few hours prior to serving. The more you chill a wine, the less you will be able to taste it. So, it you want to mask the flavour of a cheaper wine, keep it in the fridge for longer.

Here are my favourite sparklers to celebrate with.

Jewels in Champagne’s crown

Champagne is a versatile wine that is so easy to drink. It can be drunk anytime, any place and goes with a wide variety of food.

Gosset Grande Réserve, £49.95, Berry Bros. & Rudd (bbr.com)
From this highly-respected and  oldest known wine producer in Champagne comes this rather seductive Grande Réserve. A well-balanced blend of chardonnay and pinot noir with a hint of pinot meunier, it is a rich and complex wine. Reminiscent of figs and a smattering of rich biscuity flavours, this is perfection in a bottle.

'R' De Ruinart Brut , £45, bbr.com
(25 per cent discount when you order a case of six bottles until 31 Dec)
Ruinart (now part of LMVH) is said to be the first established champagne house. This vibrant fine-bubbled golden fizz is bursting with ripe apples and pears with a touch of brioche. Subtle and elegant, this is an extremely classy champagne which works well as an aperitif wine. Lingers long on the palette.  

Berrys' United Kingdom Cuvée, Grand Cru, Mailly, £26.95, bbr.com
When Britain’s oldest wine and spirit merchant Berry Bros. & Rudd (its flagship store has been at 3 St James's Street, London since 1698) puts its name to a champagne, you know it has to be good. This classic blend of predominantly pinot noir with chardonnay is elegantly structured and rich. You know you are drinking a top-notch champagne.

The perfect gift 

Billecart-Salmon Duo Giftbox, £105, champagnedirect.co.uk
Any champagne connoisseur will be delighted to receive this beautiful black box containing two superb champagnes from one of the finest houses. The Brut Réserve is an exceptional fizz. Elegant with just the right amount of freshness, this champagne works well as an aperitif. Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru is a chardonnay cuvée with lovely delicate bubbles that has intense lemon and apple notes mixed with hints of pear and biscuity tangs. Has all the trademarks of the class of champagne that you would expect from this house. Works well with grilled fish and seafood.

Italian romance

Prosecco, which comes from the north east of Italy, is an alternative to champagne, although it is different in style. The Italian wine tends to be slightly lower in alcohol and acidity as well as being sweeter, and of course, is kinder on the wallet.  

This tipple is made by the Charmat method, which utilises large tanks for the secondary fermentation process.

Champagne, which is only produced in France’s Champagne region, has a more costly production operation than prosecco. It uses individual bottles for its second fermention –  not tanks – as per the traditional method. Champagne has a longer ageing process (at least 15 months) than most sparkling wines, which tends to make the wine richer and more complex. 

Prosecco Asolo 'Millesimato', 2012, Bele Casel, Veneto, £16.95, bbr.com
From this artisan producer comes this rather sophisticated prosecco. It is minerally, yet at the same time sweet, but not too sweet. This is a lovely, pleasant wine that is perfect for any occasion.

Waitrose Prosecco NV Italy, £8.99, Waitrose
Waitrose has come up trumps with this corker. On the palate, this light zippy prosecco is fresh and fruity with just a dash of sweet almonds. It is an easy-to-drink wine that goes down a treat. Also mix it with peach juice to make a Bellini, the cocktail that made Harry’s Bar in Venice world-renowned. Serve well-chilled.

Happy Holidays!

By Daralyn Danns

Champagne, please

There is something special about having a glass of champagne. The sound of the popping of the cork, the bubbles rising in the glass, always evokes feelings of excitement and pleasure.

However, drinking a bad champagne can be an unpleasant, and disappointing, experience. So If you are looking for quality and value for money, check out some of the smaller producers who put a lot of love and care into making fine wines.

Champagne

Simon Field, buyer for Berry Bros. and Rudd, says that they are always on the lookout for good individual growers as they demonstrate a real sense of terroir. “What you are paying for is a reflection of what is in the glass as the smaller houses don’t have marketing budgets,” says Simon. “As there are so many different villages in the Champagne region, you get several styles.”

The vineyards surrounding Cramant and Mensil-sur-Oger in Cote de Blancs produce chardonnay grapes. Blanc de Blancs is the term used for champagnes made only from this grape. These wines are usually light and refreshing yet still elegant that, Simon says, become richer as they age. The Montagne de Reims and the Côte des Bar have a cool limestone terrain and is where pinot noir grapes are grown. The more robust pinot meunier thrives in the more clayey soils of Vallée de la Marne.

Most champagne is made from the three grapes. Producers may blend grapes varieties from different years, regions and villages.

Pinot noir adds body and structure to the wine, pinot meunier is used to add fruitiness and aromas, while chardonnay adds a hint of elegance and freshness.

Once you have discovered the taste profile that suits your palette, you can ask your wine merchant for suggestions.

Champagne Pierre Peters in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger,Côte des Blancs is a small producer that Simon rates highly. Its champagnes are characterised by their richness, subtlety and elegance.

Another one to look out for is Champagne R & L Legras which tends to produce soft, flowery chardonnay wines. If you prefer something richer, take a look at Champagne Lahaye, one of the leading small wine grower/producers in Montagne de Reims. He has vineyards in Bouzy, famed for its good pinot noir grapes. The style of champagne is earthier and bursting with red fruit flavours. 

Champagne Vilamart is also a sought-after producer whose wines tend to be rich yet lively and are great examples of fine wines from this region.

Simon points out that as less sugar is usually added to these wines, you are able to mark the authentic terroir as you savour each drop.

If you want to try champagnes from the grand marques, Simon recommends three which I put to the test to see why they stand out from the crowd.

Billecart-Salmon Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru NV, £58, bbr.com
One of the few remaining champagne houses to be owned by the original family. The fine bubbles of this chardonnay cuvée are the hallmark of a first-class champagne. Deliciously creamy with a slight kick, this is an elegant wine that will tantalise your taste buds.

Gosset Grand Reserve Brut, £49.95, bbr.com
A stylish rich and robust, champagne from the oldest wine house in the region. Chardonnay slightly edges pinot noir in this blend. Laced with fruity and biscuit tangs, it has a long and balanced finish. A champagne par excellence.

Pol Roger Brut Réserve NV, £39.95, bbr.com
The small family-controlled house of Pol Roger is renowned for its superb champagnes. It was Sir Winton Churchill’s favourite marque and is beloved by champagne connoisseurs. Zesty fruity flavours are complemented with hints of nuts and honey, a  rich yet fresh wine. Exquisite.

By Daralyn Danns

Destination Bollinger, Aÿ, Champagne

The sound of the cork popping, the bubbles dancing spontaneously in the flute and the way it slowly tantalises your taste buds with rich, fruity flavours. There is no doubt about it, champagne seduces you like no other drink. It’s magic meets decadence.

To go to Bollinger, producers of some the finest champagnes [and my personal favourite], was like being taken to heaven.

And, it doesn’t get more glamorous than being invited to the house where the revered Madame Bollinger lived, being wined and dined by the eponymous champagne house.  

After drinking exquisite wines, including La Grande Année Rosé 2004, a superb pink bubbly made with the renowned red wine, Côte aux Enfants, and R.D.1995, a well-structured aged champagne, Jérôme Philipon, Bollinger’s president challenged us to a blind tasting.

“Force de punch,” I exclaimed after savouring the fine, delicately bubbled golden-amber champagne. “I like your comment!” he replied. I was extremely flattered as I am no wine critic.  But, I know what I like and this silky-smooth liquid gold was like nothing I had ever tasted before. It was Bolllinger’s legendary cuvée, Vieilles Vins Françaises which is regarded by many wine connoisseurs as a jewel in the crown of the champagne world.

Approximately, 3,000 bottles are made in exceptional vintage years of which only a coveted few reach the UK. At £550 a bottle, this 1997 vintage is a fizz my taste buds won’t be getting used to, unless, of course, I win the lottery.

At Aÿ, the home of Bollinger’s headquarters, history oozes from the village’s buildings as if enveloping you in a champagne haze. Fragmented, well-manicured vineyards carpet the surrounding hills, and millionaires rub shoulders with farmers. I half expected to see Tante Lily, as Madame Bollinger is affectionately known, come tearing down the road on her bicycle on her way to inspect the vineyards – a common sight during the German Occupation of the Champagne region.

The next morning, I got up early to take a stroll along Epernay’s fabled Avenue de Champagne punctuated with 19^th-century mansions housing the headquarters of the likes of Moët et Chandon and Mercier. Bathed in a rosy glow from the rising sun only made them more alluring.

Batteries recharged, I was ready for the science bit. Bollinger has been around since 1829 and is still family-owned. A tour around the cellars is jaw-stopping. Blending, fermenting and ageing, so much goes into a bottle. Even Bollinger Special Cuvée, the house’s non-vintage champagne, is brimming with reserve wines fermented in barrels – not a common practice in Champagne. I was gobsmacked to discover that around 300 wines go into making this.

The end of our visit ended with the tasting of the Vin Clairs, wines from the last harvest. Some of these were so high in acidity, they almost set my tongue on fire – and that was with swirling them around my mouth and spitting them out. To think the wine maker has to decide which ones to use.

Afterwards, we were treated to lunch where, of course, there were more magnificent champagnes to taste. Such hard work!

As the last bubbles in my champagne flute floated away, so our visit ended. As Madame Bollinger said: “I drink it when I’m happy and when I’m sad…” I understand why!

By Daralyn Danns

Getting there

Eurostar offers return fares to Reims, the heart of the Champagne region, with one connection in Paris from £89. Connecting fares from UK stations available. For more information or to book, visit eurostar.com or call 08432 186 186

Rail Europe Fares to Epernay, from London to Epernay start at £110 return per person call 0844 848 4070 or visit www.raileurope.co.uk or call into the Rail Europe Travel Centre at 193 Piccadilly, London W1J 9EU

I stayed at La Villa Eugène, www.villa-eugene.com

Visit Champagne Mercier (www.champagnemercier.fr ) to board a laser-guided train on tour around the cellars

Bollinger tours can only be booked through Arblaster & Clarke (www.winetours.co.uk)

Gift giving

Buying presents can be a daunting task. At this time of year we are bombarded with advertisements in magazines and newspapers trying to tempt us into spending our money on treats for other people.

As we all know, there is nothing worse than getting an unwanted gift. I asked several men and women to tell me what presents they would like and those best avoided this Christmas. Here are my findings. I hope they help you to get the appropriate present.

Women don’t want to be bought underwear as it’s hard to buy the right size for somebody else and men, especially tend to get it wrong.

Another pet hate was grandparents who buy woolly jumpers for a Christmas gift as they tend to forget that children grow up and their tastes change. Clothing is personal, so unless you really know what somebody likes or have asked them what they want, don’t bother. That goes for both men and women.

Novelty and gimmicky gifts are another no-no for both men and women. Household stuff and cookbooks (unless somebody has specifically asked for these) didn’t go down well either as women said that they felt cheated that they hadn’t been given a real present.  Men didn’t want power tools, car cleaning kits or DIY stuff for the same reason.

When it comes to make-up and beauty products the consensus seems to be: we love expensive pampering products but don't buy us make-up or fragrance unless you know what we use.

Women said that expensive jewellery always goes down well. A beautiful orchid or a bouquet of flowers were always appreciated. A good bottle of champagne went down well with both men and women.

If a man has a hobby such as golf and you can buy him something that is connected that is fine, but you should always ask him what he wants before you make a purchase. Avoid novelty gadgets and gizmos as men will have bought the ones they want themselves.

Gift vouchers or cash may indicate that somebody has not given you much thought, but vouchers are better than a present that somebody will never use. Other presents that go down well are special outings like tickets for the theatre or a day trip on Eurostar to Paris or Brussels, a weekend break, an adventure day out or a visit to a spa, yes even for men!

By Daralyn Danns

A little luxury goes a long way

The other day I was walking beside the River Thames when I saw the Silver Cloud, one of the Silversea cruise ships, moored alongside HMS Belfast near Tower Bridge. My mind flashed back to when I stood on the top deck of the Silver Shadow (one of the groups smaller ships), sipping a glass of champagne, and watched Falmouth’s picturesque harbour slowly fade into the distance as we set sail for France. All the stress I had been carrying around with me began to float away like the bubbles in my champagne flute.

I knew I was definitely going to enjoy living in the lap of luxury for the next five days. 

The Silver Shadow was extremely welcoming and so spacious that I felt as if I was on my own private yacht with the crew ready to wait on me hand and foot. 

The attention to detail – fresh flowers and a bottle of bubbly greeted me on arrival in my suite – was superb. There was even a choice of toiletries.

You are certainly not going to starve on board. In fact, I was more worried about disembarking with excess baggage as the food was so amazing.  As soon as I had finished one meal, it seemed it was time for the next. And in case I got peckish, there was always 24-hour room service. To prevent me having to buy a whole new wardrobe when I got home, I chose the delicious low-calorie "Wellness Options" at lunch time and indulged at dinner. The chocolate desserts were to die for.

There were no nasty shocks on my credit card at the end of the trip, as all drinks including champagne and wines were complimentary (fine wines were extra). The staff were not allowed to accept tips so it avoided the palaver of spending the last day filling up envelopes as you do on most cruises.

To keep fit, I always took the stairs and never used the lift. A power walk around the decks before breakfast set me up for the day. There is a fitness centre on board and there are also exercise classes, both of which I never managed to fit into my itinerary. My idea of exercise was soaking in the hot tub by the swimming pool and relaxing on deck watching the world go by. Although dancing after dinner helped burn up some calories – there is something magical about dancing under the stars.

Laughter is the best medicine for destressing and Muriel, a 60-something divorcée from Ireland provided plenty of that. When Muriel met Harry, also a 60-something divorcé, we all started to hear the sound of wedding bells and planning the wedding became part of our daily schedule. After the cruise, she emailed me to tell me that the wedding was off. Life at sea is a world apart from reality. But, after seeing the Silver Cloud, there is something inside me that is hankering after another taste of the glamour of shipboard life.

By Daralyn Danns

For further information visit Silversea Cruises (www.silversea.com)