On Wednesday May 25th, trade and media are invited to this fantastic and inaugural Champagne tasting, featuring 31 of the top Champagne houses and growers, and over 90 different Champagnes in all. Each house is featuring a non-vintage, a vintage, and a third wine of their choice—and in many cases, the third wine of their choice is something quite exclusive or new. It’s probably one of the first times that all these brands have appeared together in one room, and this event will hopefully be taking place annually or bi-annually. Looking at the list of participants, I’m happy to see a couple I got to taste during my trip to Champagne last September during harvest, like Mailly Grand Cru—will be great to taste them again. Other houses pouring include Alfred Gratien, Besserat de Bellefon, Bollinger, Bruno Paillard, Pommery, Gaston Chiquet, Gosset, Champagne Henriot, and Pol Roger.
There will be a media briefing at 1pm, and the media preview is from 1pm-3pm; trade can attend the grand tasting from 3pm-5pm. The new communications director of the CIVC (Comité Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne), Thibaut Le Mailloux, will be present and available to interview on all things Champagne. For additional information or to RSVP, please email DJ Carella. Westin St. Francis, Imperial Floor, 335 Powell St. at Geary.
