Champagne for the Holiday Season

It’s that time of year again where it’s all about the entertaining and of course what festive plonk we will open over the festive period. Now I like to start my Xmas morning off with a bottle of Champagne and a mixed assortment of red fruit, but there is always need for a few more bottles……….over Christmas lunch….through the days off work…when friends pop in for a visit, and of course to top it all off New Years Eve. So what better way to pick up an assortment of bubbles than by attending a few tastings through December? I recently popped along to the Ultimo Wine Centre Annual Champagne tasting for a couple of hours of sampling to see if there was anything that caught my fancy. Given the number open for tasting and some discounts on the day, I was bound to walk away with something in hand. As I say, ‘there is a champagne for everyone, this is my bottle, so where’s yours?’

Some picks for the festive season -

Billecart-Salmon Brut Blanc de Blancs NV Classy and elegant extremely pale fizz. Unusual bubbles with both lots of fine streams through the glass as well as some chunky ones thrown in the mix. The palate is crisp, clean and delectably dry with a slick quartz feel to it. There is a slight touch of zesty lime which refreshes the palate and even a smidgen of white peach. Nose leans more to marzipan than baked bread. Fabulous way to kick off a stylish evening paired with some fresh seafood entrées! Most excellent with pheasant pate as recently experienced over Christmas. 98/109

1999 Laurent-Perrier Vintage Brut This is a rich and ripe, lush full bodied champagne. A small splash of tropical pineapple intermingled in with buttery notes and vanilla. Despite the more rounded flavour profile, the finish is still crisp and clean. Given that it is a more complex style, my preference would be to have this in the latter stages of a meal as opposed to as an aperitif. Definitely an interesting drop. 97/109

Duval-Leroy Paris Brut NV This comes in one sexy bottle. It’s black with a gold screen print of Paris on it, which is sure to get some attention when you bring this out at a party. Despite the whole bling factor it’s still an interesting and elegant wine. A touch fruitier than expected with a bit of white peach, but there is balance through an almost salty characteristic. What’s not to like about sweet and salty?
95/109

Ayala Brut Majeur NV This small champagne house now sits in the Bollinger stable, and fortunately tastes nothing like my least favourite drop of manly bubbles. Pale gold and full of fine bubbles, which is always a good start. It has a rather rich full feel and lasts long on the palate. Creamy and still very fruit predominate. One could be fooled into thinking you were drinking something very classy with a large price tag. So if you’re ready to try something other than you’re bolly, moet or veuve and possibly spending less, give this a go. 95/109