Champagne Tasting at the Wine Merchant
Champagne - Champagne is always a part of the list when there is some form of celebration, time of happiness and just fun. The Word 'champagne' brings to mind images of laughter, old gatherings and lovers. As Catherine Hay of Champagne Duval Leroy said " The opening of a bottle of champagne should sound like the sigh a satisfied woman."
Walking up the stairs at the Wine Merchant in Beverly Hills, my first impression upon arriving into their private tasting room was pleasure. It had an intimate cozy atmosphere, I felt like I had arrived at a small dinner party, in someone's home.
As the first champagne was uncorked, I was hesitant of what to except. Being a novice in such a vast world of champagne and all it's glory. It was going to be either a hit or miss experience.
Special guest Catherine Hay from the House of Duval Leroy introduced several styles of champagne including whites, roses and vintage treasures from Duval Leroy. We began too not only enjoy the subtle and not so subtle differences in each bottle but also the wonderful atmosphere. As the drinks kept on flowing more and more the guests began to mingle with each other, laughter flowed with each new glass of bubbles and enjoyment of the effervescent liquid mingled with the enjoyment of the company.
At the table where I was seated, there were different reactions to every champagne. When the Lady Rose from Duval Leroy was brought around, it was a success with most of the ladies. The Ultra Brut, which has no sugar and also no calories (yahoo), was a hit for the man sitting at my table. In fact many people bought the Ultra Brut that night.
The world-renowned, Grand Master Dennis Overstreet. Is the owner of the Wine Merchant in Beverly Hills. On June 23, 2003 at a ceremony at the Palace of Bordeaux City Hall, Dennis Overstreet received the Medal of the City of Bordeaux from Alauin Juppe, the Prime Minister of France and Mayor of Bordeaux. Overstreet is a man who, upon first impression seems very quiet, studious and intimidating. As he introduces himself, he is the complete opposite -vivacious, amusing, bouncy and vastly intelligent with many entertaining and educational stories. One of the things I found most profound was when he stated, "Champagne is subjective, it depends on light and ambience, and these greatly alter one's experience of champagne."
Some of my favorite anecdotes and stories shared include one of a blind monk named Dom Perignon who after the first mouthful of his very first glass of champagne, exclaimed, "I must be drinking stars." Then there was the story of the different shaped champagne glasses the flute and the saucer. The flute shape truly pronounces the bubbles of the champagne and the saucer shape allows them to escape. The saucer shape is said to have been created by a mold taken from Madame de Pompadour's breast in honor of a lover. Or, how about his story of why Persian and French relations may be so strained. This is one you'll have to ask Overstreet (because it just may be all his fault) himself to tell you next time you are in the Wine Merchant.
I was nervous at the beginning of the evening because I had no knowledge of champagne. As the night progressed so did the great atmosphere, knowledge from the intelligent wine experts and entertaining fun stories, along with all the delightful tastes of numerous bottles and vintages of champagne. It isn't an understatement that every one was bubbly by the end of the night. Best of all I began to appreciate the fact that a person would devote their life to this beverage. I did not become a connoisseur overnight but the education I received on champagne has opened my mind to the world of champagne. Now, I can appreciate a little bit more what champagne has to offer.
The Wine Merchant
9467 S Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Tel: 310-278-7322
Fax: 310-278-6158
Discuss this article in the Readers' Forum
Info on Paula Jessop
From time to time Splash Magazines receives complementary products and services from companies. The receipt of these gifts in no way affects our reviews or opinions in our editorial coverage. Our loyalty is to you our readers and we will give you our honest unbiased opinions.
Copyright © 2003 - 2010 Splash Magazines Worldwide. All rights reserved.
No comments:
Post a Comment