Champagne for Valentine’s Day

I prefer to keep Valentine’s Day special, yet simple. A glass of pink champagne is perfect for setting the mood for romance.

Champagne at a treehouse suite, Chewton Glen

If your loved one is worth spoiling then it has to be a good rosé champagne. Cava, prosecco  and crémants are all fizzes, but they are not champagne and don’t expect them to taste the same. Console yourself with the fact that cracking open a bottle of rosé champagne at home is cheaper than splashing out on a couple of glasses in a restaurant.

There are two ways of producing this seductive drink. One is to add a small amount of red wine to the white wine, the other is, after pressing, leaving the skins of the black grapes to impart a small amount of colour into the juice of the white grapes.

Not with a partner? I love how the Mexicans celebrate this day known as El Dia del Amor y la Amistad (the day of love and friendship). It is not just for lovers, but it is also the day to show people how much you appreciate them. A good enough reason to crack open a bottle of good bubbly.

Here are the top choices:

Billecart-Salmon, Brut Rosé, £60, bbr.com
Oscar Malek, head sommelier at the luxurious hotel and spa, Chewton Glen, at the edge of the New Forest, recommends Billecart-Salmon for its elegant and refined style. Bursting with tangs of raspberry, this is one of the most consistent and delicious rosés on the market.

(Until 14 Feb buy a bottle of Brut Rosé, Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru or Vintage 2004  and receive a complimentary half bottle of Brut Rosé, at selected retailers only. (For more info visit champagne-billecart.fr) 

Gosset Grand Rosé, £64.99, Selfridges
Another revered champagne and one that Oscar rates highly. The colour of crushed coppery-pink rose petals and packed with strawberry flavours, this rich full-bodied champagne seduces you with every mouthful you savour. Lingers long on the palate. Divine!

Ruinart Rosé, £54, bbr.com
Also recommended by Oscar is this gem from Ruinart, the oldest champagne house, founded in 1729. Made with a high proportion of chardonnay, it is an intense elegant fruity wine with just the right amount of freshness. Renowned as one of the best rosé champagnes, this silky smooth wine deserves its reputation; it is exquisite!

Champagne R&L Legras Rosé, £39.99, bbr.com
The champagnes from this house are found on several listings of the Michelin restaurants of Paris. Predominately chardonnay with a touch of pinot noir, this is a lovely zesty rosé bursting with fruit. A gorgeously constructed wine. 

By Daralyn Danns

Keep in the party spirit

Her Majesty leaving St Paul's Cathedral

An epidemic of patriotic fever swept over London for the Diamond Jubilee weekend that I had never before witnessed. The crowds were huge and, at times, you couldn’t move, but the camaraderie I experienced as I joined the throng was a rich and rewarding experience. I felt so proud to be British.

You will all have your own personal memories of the weekend. I thought mine was going to be the flotilla, as I live by the Thames and love boats and water. But, it actually was getting a wave from the Queen herself.

I had gone to St Paul’s Cathedral to soak up the atmosphere and as Her Majesty was leaving, I managed to get a picture – a profile of her – as her car was approaching. At the moment the camera clicked, the car slowed down in front of where I was standing and she turned round and waved. I also saw the rest of the Royal Family, but being able to look straight at the Queen on this wonderful historic occasion is a memory I will treasure forever.

The Red Arrows

The party may well now be over, but this summer with Wimbledon, the Olympics and maybe the football – though I don’t hold out much hope for that – promises to give us plenty of reason to host our own summer events.

As part of my Jubilee celebrations, I went to have lunch at my favourite London hotel, which is rumoured to be frequented by members of the Royal Family, The Stafford London by Kempinski. Quintessentially English, its quaint courtyard is the ideal setting for a summer’s drink.

The Stafford London by Kempinski: the quaint courtyard

I asked Benoit Provost, the bars manager, for some ideas for summer party drinks. “Pimms! It’s a classic,” he replied. “It’s easy to prepare and is wonderful served with fresh mint.”

If you want to serve cocktails, Benoit suggests livening up a glass of champagne with strawberry purée. It’s the perfect drink for Wimbledon. Another idea is to pour some raspberry purée  into a glass filled with crushed ice and add some lime cordial and  vodka. Top with champagne, if you feel like being extravagant.

Alternatively, mix a little Mandarine Napoleon with a lime cordial and apple juice and fill the glass with prosecco or champagne.

For those special occasions, Benoit recommends pink champagne. He likes Bollinger Rosé NV, Deutz Brut Rosé and Gosset Grand Rosé.

Benoit Provost talking to me about party drinks

If you are a wine lover, Benoit says you can’t go wrong with pinot grigio. For something a little different, Benoit recommends voignier. “It’s a lovely dry white wine from the South West of France.” If you prefer rosé, go for a sancerre. “Try adding some pink-grapefruit syrup,” suggests Benoit. It may be very American, but adding a couple of ice cubes makes a glass of wine last longer and it is really refreshing.

By Daralyn Danns