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The Champagne Academy
Maison Report
2024
La Grande Année 2015
Champagne Bollinger 2024
Champagne Bollinger has been part of the history of the Champagne region for 196 years. Founded in 1829 the House remains resolutely independent, and family owned.
In 2024 His Majesty the King bestowed the prestigious Royal Warrant upon the House, marking 140 years of continuous supply to the Royal Household. Bollinger champagne was first introduced to the British market in 1858 by London based wine merchant, Ludwig Mentzendorff, who offered his services to the House’s founder, Jacques Bollinger, to become Champagne Bollinger’s London agent. The delights of Champagne Bollinger were first introduced to Queen Victoria, and she appreciated it so highly that she awarded the first Royal Warrant in 1884. This prestigious honour has been granted consecutively by each reigning monarch since. The announcement of the Royal Warrant of Appointment from His Majesty the King, coincides with the 140th anniversary of Champagne Bollinger continuously holding the Royal Warrant and, to date, it is the only Champagne House to hold such a prestigious honour and lengthy tenure.
Six new cuvées were launched in 2024 including, PN VZ19, La Grande Année 2015, La Grande Année Rosé 2015, La Côte Aux Enfants Champagne 2014, Vieilles Vignes Françaises 2013 and the Bollinger Goldfinger 007 Limited Edition.
March saw a celebration of the iconic La Grande Année 2015 launch. The wines were presented to guests by Bollinger Celler Master, Denis Bunner at a special alfresco dinner held in a woodland setting, selected to echo the theme of wood and the forest, reflecting the craftmanship of the cuvee through the ageing in oak casks. Bollinger’s history has always been interwoven with that of its family forest in Cuis, which stands above the Maison’s 180ha of vineyards. Since 2015, this forest has provided Bollinger with wood which it shapes into the oak barrels that will one day become the home of some of the Maison’s future vintages. Bollinger is the only Champagne House that still employs a resident cooper, with barrel ageing in old oak casks one of the House’s most distinctive characteristics.
As the dominant grape variety in the range, Pinot Noir is the very essence of Champagne Bollinger and new vintage releases from the dedicated Pinot Noir range were bought to the market from June 2024. The June launch of PN VZ19 marked the release of the fifth in the House’s limited-edition 100% Pinot Noir series, exploring the unique interpretation of Pinot Noir from the dominant crus of Verzenay 2019.
In October 2024, Champagne Bollinger announced the release of a new Bollinger Goldfinger 007 Limited Edition Cuvée created in celebration of the 60th anniversary of Goldfinger as part of Champagne Bollinger’s long-running association with the 007 film franchise. This limited-edition release of a Goldfinger branded magnum of 2007 vintage Bollinger champagne, elegantly presented in a bespoke Globe-Trotter Air Cabin Case. Each case individually numbered 001-200, making it a truly special collector’s item for both fans of Champagne Bollinger and the iconic James Bond Goldfinger film.
Bollinger continues as the Official Champagne of England Rugby. The fabulous Bollinger Tent returned to the West Fan Village at Twickenham Stadium, where fans could come together to celebrate on match days. Bollinger’s sponsorship continued with the 24th year of the Bollinger Everyman Wodehouse Prize, the UK’s longest running prize for comic fiction. The prize is awarded to the novel deemed to best capture the spirit of the late PG Wodehouse and in 2024 was won by Ferdia Lennon for his brilliantly funny debut novel Glorious Exploits.
In 2023, Champagne Bollinger was proud to obtain their B Corp certification. This international certification sets very high standards in terms of social, societal, and environmental performance. Maison Bollinger maintains its ongoing commitment to people, the land, and its roots. Champagne Bollinger looks forward to celebrating its Bicentenary Year in 2029, with many ambitious plans already in full swing, including a renovation of their historic site in Aÿ. Over the coming years, the team will be hard at work to complete major projects that reflect and reaffirm Bollinger’s longstanding values. These projects will include a cathedral-like cellar open to the vines, holding 5,000 228L barrels and an oenotourism site set in the heart of the vines to house tasting rooms, a boutique hotel, and a restaurant.
The Champagne Bollinger team hope to raise a glass with you at the upcoming Champagne Academy events
Bollinger
Maison Report
2024
Champagne Ruinart
Ruinart 2024 Review
The Contemporary & Conscious Jewel of Champagne Since 1729
As the world’s first established Champagne House, founded in 1729, Ruinart has long been revered for its dedication to Chardonnay. Harvested from the prestigious vineyards of the Côte des Blancs and Montagne de Reims, this noble grape lies at the heart of every cuvée. Today, Ruinart continues to evolve, blending its rich heritage with contemporary artistry, sustainability, and the French art de vivre.
Since 2018, Ruinart has invited international contemporary artists to interpret its history and savoir-faire through their unique perspectives. For 2024, Conversations with Nature brings together six artists from around the world to explore the relationship between art and nature. Each artist offers a unique perspective, exploring themes such as climate, biodiversity, and human interaction with nature.
The House sees art as a medium to deepen our understanding of the world, foster connections, and heighten awareness. As a devoted patron of contemporary art, Ruinart supports over 36 art fairs worldwide and has been the official Champagne Partner of Frieze London, Frieze Masters, and Frieze New York since 2016. From October 9–13, 2024, the Ruinart Art Bar at Frieze London will host the Conversations with Nature exhibition, showcasing works by Marcus Coates and Henrique Oliveira. Coates’ work explores his relationship with a “more-than-human” world, inviting reflection on the interconnectedness of humans and nature. Meanwhile, Oliveira’s large-scale sculptural installations merge plants and organic elements, creating dynamic forms that evoke the roots of vines climbing above ground in twisted, living compositions.
Moreover, as part of its ongoing commitment to preserving craftsmanship and supporting wine professionals, Ruinart proudly launched the 2024 edition of the Ruinart Sommelier Challenge. This year’s focus delved into the science behind effervescence, exploring the physics of the bubbles that define Champagne’s unique sparkle and how they impact the tasting experience.
In 2024, Ruinart also launched Dom Ruinart 2013, a vintage that stands as a testament to the Maison’s expertise in crafting exceptional blanc de blancs. Defined by the distinctive climatic conditions of 2013, this cuvée showcases an extraordinary freshness, layered minerality, and remarkable aging potential. Its refined complexity is a tribute to Ruinart’s unwavering dedication to precision and excellence.
Additionally, in response to climate evolution, Ruinart has adapted its expertise to create a new expression of Chardonnay, Ruinart Blanc Singulier. This unique cuvée captures the essence of each year’s vintage, shaped by shifting temperatures, shorter vine cycles, and accelerated grape maturation. The Blanc Singulier cuvées are a testament to Ruinart’s innovative oenological approach, blending wines from a specific vintage with a perpetual reserve to preserve the House’s signature freshness. With minimal or no dosage, each edition reflects the nuances of an atypical climate year, offering an authentic expression of Chardonnay’s evolving character.
Finally, following three years of meticulous renovations, 2024 was a year where 4 Rue des Crayères, Ruinart’s iconic address, unveiled a transformation that harmonizes tradition with modernity. This historic site embodies the House’s dedication to refined living, expert craftsmanship, and the profound connection between nature and culture. Here, the legacy of Champagne’s winemaking heritage merges with contemporary artistry, creating an inspiring space where history and innovation coalesce.
By championing an infinitely connected world based on understanding and creativity, Ruinart honours life; a life illuminated by meaning, culture, and celebration. Every moment of this elevated existence is best savoured with Ruinart Champagne.
Ruinart
Maison Report
2024
Champagne Louis Roederer 2024
Louis Roederer Gazette 2024
2024 was undoubtedly another challenging year for the trade as economic difficulties intensified, war spread and the government threw yet more curve balls in our direction. Ever resilient however, the year was filled with events and sponsorships, launches and celebrations.
The year started with the announcement, that for an unprecedented fifth year in a row, Champagne Louis Roederer were honoured with the title the “World’s Most Admired Champagne Brand’ 2024. This formidable ranking system recognises the Champagne Houses that embody consistency, innovation and respect for terroir.
Our long-standing sponsorships of the Royal Academy of Arts, Obsession Festival and the Spirit of Christmas continued with guests at the RA VIP exhibition openings served Louis Roederer Collection 244, while at the Spirit of Christmas guests were treated to two masterclasses before being able to rest their shopping weary feet at the Champagne Louis Roederer bars. This year also saw Louis Roederer become the official champagne sponsor of the FT Live, a superb festival for inquisitive minds, with the beautiful bar at the centre of the festival offering a place for guests to discuss the workshops they had attended over a glass of vintage rosé.
We held a series of exceptional dinners, events and soirees with our media partners, exploring global cuisine and champagne pairings with the Conde Nast Traveller Chefs Series, a beautiful evening hosted by Frédéric Rouzaud, CEO of Champagne Louis Roederer, Darius Sanai, editor in chief of Lux and Maria Sukkar, art collector and curator where they explored the massale selection project at Louis Roederer and their collaboration with photographer Jean-Charles Gutner, and (of course) a series of stunning collaborations with The Wedding Edition and Gentleman’s Journal saw our champagnes enjoyed in some of the finest restaurants in London as the story of champagne was told in creative ways.
We had a busy year collaborating up and down the country with our brand partners, crafting unique events to celebrate key moments in their brand stories from Vacheron Constantin and Jaeger LeCoultre to Gaggenau and N25 Caviar.
Our Icon tasting, celebrating all the top wines in the Maisons Marques et Domaines portfolio showcased the finest of the Roederer range and as always was several people deep at the stand.
The highlight of the year however, was undoubtedly the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Cristal Rosé created in 1974 by Jean-Claude Rouzaud. Paying homage to his father, (CEO) Frédéric Rouzaud, 7th generation owner of the house presented a glorious selection of vintages reaching back to 1976, all served in magnum, alongside his chef de cave Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon. These rare wines were immaculately paired to an exquisite menu at Mauro’s Table at Raffles OWO in London, that set off the complexity, finesse, freshness and elegance of the wines to perfection.
Concluding an exciting year, Champagne Louis Roederer was delighted to receive the Royal Warrant from King Charles III, continuing (on from) the legacy of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, who had granted her warrant to the Maison. It was certainly a busy year for Louis Roederer, and most definitely a rewarding one. Santé!
Louis Roederer
Maison Report
2024
Champagne Krug
Krug
Founded in 1843 by the visionary Joseph Krug in Reims, the House of Krug revolutionized the world of Champagne with an unwavering commitment to quality. Joseph Krug’s philosophy was simple yet bold: to create the very best Champagne every year, regardless of the challenges posed by climate variations. He understood that the true essence of Champagne was about pleasure, and with this in mind, he sought to craft a Champagne that would always offer exceptional quality, year after year.
To achieve this, Krug focused on two key principles: respecting the individuality of each vineyard plot and building a vast library of reserve wines from different years. This innovative approach allowed him to blend wines that reflected the unique characteristics of each vintage while maintaining the House’s signature style—richness, finesse, and complexity. Unlike other Champagne houses that relied on vintage declarations, Krug embraced a non-vintage approach, producing extraordinary Champagne every year by blending the best elements from different harvests.
In 2024, Krug unveiled Les Créations de 2011, a tribute to the unique characteristics of the 2011 harvest. The collection includes two exceptional cuvées: the Vintage 2011 and the Krug Grande Cuvée 167ème Edition. The Vintage 2011 showcases a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier, reflecting the vibrant complexity of the year. The Champagne offers a rich, sophisticated finish, perfectly capturing the essence of the 2011 harvest.
The Krug Grande Cuvée 167ème Edition is a signature blend of over 200 wines from more than 12 years. This cuvée strikes a perfect balance between the richness of past vintages and the freshness of the 2011 harvest, offering elegance, depth, and remarkable complexity. Both cuvées are a testament to Krug’s dedication to creating Champagne that transcends time and expresses the artistry, innovation, and craftsmanship that have defined the House for over 180 years.
To mark the release of Les Créations de 2011, Krug’s Cellar Master, Julie Cavil, visited London to share her insights on the creation of these remarkable cuvées. Known for her meticulous craftsmanship, Cavil has played a pivotal role in guiding the blending process to ensure that each cuvée reflects the individuality of the harvest. As Cavil explains, “Drinking Krug is like experiencing history in an innovative and fresh way.” She emphasizes the importance of patience, noting that it can take up to 25 years to perfect each bottle of Krug Champagne.
In 2024, Krug honored its savoir-faire once again by celebrating Krug x Flower, a tribute to the House’s commitment to individuality. This emphasized the idea that each vineyard plot, as a unique wine, is itself an essential ingredient in the creation of Krug Champagnes. Throughout the year, Krug hosted exclusive events at its Krug Ambassades, inviting Champagne lovers to indulge in flower-inspired dishes paired with the latest editions of Krug's signature Champagnes, Krug Grande Cuvée 172ème Edition and Krug Rosé 28ème Edition.
Additionally, Krug introduced a series of bookable consumer dinners, including four-hands dinners, single chef dinners, and exclusive Krug by-the-glass offerings. These events allowed guests to savour the intricate flavours of Krug, paired with thoughtfully crafted dishes inspired by flowers. This partnership beautifully showcased the synergy between Krug’s rich heritage and the natural elegance of flowers, offering guests an immersive experience that explored unexpected flavour combinations and the artistry of both Champagne and cuisine. This involved the esteemed Krug Ambassades, such as Cail Bruich, Restaurant Andrew Fairlie, Frog by Adam Handling, and others as well as notable accounts including Bentley’s Oyster Bar, La Petite Maison, Rick Steins, Fischer’s of Baslow, Rising Sun.
Krug also collaborated with the Mandarin Oriental’s Winterhaus bar during the holiday season, bringing the floral theme to life with specially curated drinks and an elegant atmosphere. This partnership underscored Krug’s commitment to creating unique and memorable experiences that celebrate creativity, richness, and the beauty of the world around us.
Through Krug x Flower, the House continues to push boundaries and elevate the art of Champagne. It invites its global community to experience the infinite possibilities that emerge when creativity and craftsmanship intersect. This initiative exemplifies Krug’s ongoing mission to craft extraordinary experiences that transcend the ordinary, offering Champagne lovers new ways to connect with the House’s legacy and explore the refined beauty of Krug champagne.
Krug
Maison Report
2024
Comtes
Champagne Taittinger 2024
With the promise of a ‘normal’ year, the complications of allocations hopefully behind us and the launch of Domaine Evremond on the horizon, we started 2024 as we meant to go on – at full speed. The first quarter was, as always, a blur of activity, as we worked through the planning for BAFTA Film Awards which takes over an entire weekend in February, interspersed with Valentine’s activities and events for our customers, and the much-anticipated launch of the large formats of Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs 2012.
Over the Channel in France, the excitement surrounding the re-opening of our iconic cellars grew as the date crept closer. The results of the incredible refurbishment were soon available for all to see and enjoy as the new visitors’ centre opened to the public. With a selection of tours and tastings available, the Visitors' Experience at our St Nicaise Cellars celebrates the world of Champagne and the significant part the Taittinger Family has played. 2025 will see the opening of our new brasserie to complete the gastronomic experience, just above our UNESCO recognised cellars.
In the vineyards, the 2024 vintage proved another demanding one, following on from a ‘slightly puzzling year’ in 2023, but Vitalie Taittinger was confident of the quality of the Chardonnay, key as always to the Taittinger style. The team of Vineyard Director Christelle Rinville and Chef de Caves Alexandre Ponnavoy rose to the challenge as always, while driving back and forth from Reims to Chilham in Kent to attend to their other ‘baby’ – more of that to follow…
Commercially, we saw trade bounce back a little, although perhaps not to the previous giddy heights of a time before allocations and COVID restrictions. The softening of demand, seen the previous year, continued and we worked hard with our customers to ensure we were supporting them through the difficult market conditions. While some sectors, and consumers, still had an appetite for Champagne, others were watching their spend a little more carefully and we worked closely with all our partners, off and on trade, to provide solutions to ensure their customers still had the opportunity to enjoy and celebrate when the time was right.
Our programme of partnerships, where we celebrate arts, culture and craft and support incredible achievers in their relevant fields, continued throughout 2024 and kept our UK team on their toes. While BAFTA Film in February may get all the column inches (or digital impressions), our partnership stretches across the annual campaign of film, games, craft, television, Scotland and Wales. We celebrated with the Old Vic, supported the British Independent Film Awards and joined our good friends at the World Food Photography Awards to raise a glass to the incredibly talented creators of food and wine photography from across the globe. Partnerships with the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts and the Royal Institute of British Architects ensured friends old and new were able to celebrate their achievements with a glass of Taittinger, and in December we partnered again with the London International Horse Show - honouring our 30th year of collaboration.
We celebrated in (more) style with the launch of the larger formats of our prestige cuvées, Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs 2013 and Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Rosé 2011, with the usual interest and excitement that these iconic wines now command. It was all good practice as September 2024 saw the hugely anticipated launch of Domaine Evremond, the English Sparkling Project that started over 10 years ago as a dream between great friends Pierre Emmanuel Taittinger and Patrick McGrath MW, CEO of Taittinger’s long-time UK agent, Hatch Mansfield. Battling wind, rain, and the M25 traffic, our friends from far and wide climbed up a muddy hill in Chilham, Kent, for a first taste of Domaine Evremond Classic Cuvée Edition I – the celebration of friendship, the connection between England and France, and a combined love of Champagne.
Taittinger
Maison Report
2024
Champagne Moët & Chandon 2024
For over 280 years, Moët & Chandon has been the champagne of choice for moments of celebration and cultural milestones – and 2024 was no exception. As the Maison continued to lead with innovation, generosity and savoir-faire, the year was marked by bold launches, prestigious partnerships and unforgettable experiences across the UK.
Moët & Chandon continued to cement its position as the champagne of fashion, supporting emerging and established designers throughout the year and further reinforcing its association with creativity and elegance on the runway. This was followed by the highly anticipated launch of Collection Impériale – the Maison’s first Brut Nature expression. Introduced to press and trade guests through a series of immersive tastings, the launch showcased the exceptional blending craft behind Collection Impériale, uniting seven vintages through three ageing techniques: stainless steel, oak and glass.
In the summer, Moët & Chandon returned to Royal Ascot, one of the largest champagne events in the world, with five elegant bars across the racecourse and exclusive hosting within the Moët & Chandon Suite. Inspired by the Maison’s home in Épernay, the suite welcomed VIP guests to experience Moët & Chandon’s hospitality and heritage in truly regal surroundings.
A key highlight of the year was the collaboration with Friend of the House, Jason Atherton, who fronted the launch of ‘A Tale of Sublimation’ – an extraordinary trilogy of Grand Vintages: 2016, 2009 and 2000. Atherton brought the story of transformation and time to life, celebrating the unique character of each vintage and its evolution through the art of ageing.
Sustainability remained at the heart of the Maison’s mission. In partnership with SUGi, Moët & Chandon planted three pocket forests in collaboration with select customers, supporting biodiversity and restoring green spaces in urban areas – a continued commitment to nature and responsible luxury.
The brand also made its presence felt across key cultural moments. As a proud sponsor of the GRM Gala, Moët & Chandon raised a glass to British music and culture. During London Cocktail Week, the Maison positioned itself at the forefront of mixology, showcasing Moët & Chandon as the ultimate base for sophisticated champagne cocktails.
Innovation in hospitality was further elevated with the opening of a new bar at the Royal Albert Hall, spotlighting the Maison’s refreshed brand identity in one of London’s most iconic venues. Meanwhile, the Harrods Moët & Chandon Bar continued to push the boundaries of champagne excellence, offering ever-evolving experiences in the heart of Knightsbridge.
As Moët & Chandon looks ahead to 2025, it remains committed to crafting moments of magic and celebration for champagne lovers across the nation – always with boldness, elegance and joy.
Moët & Chandon 2024
Maison Report
2024
Champagne Veuve Clicquot
A year of bold ambition, record-breaking achievements, and joyful celebration—2024 was a remarkable chapter in the story of Veuve Clicquot in the UK. From the highly anticipated launch of La Grande Dame Rosé 2015 to the creative, Solaire partnerships in the on-trade and the continued commitment to sustainability and female empowerment, the House led with audacity and excellence.
A Milestone for La Grande Dame
March 2024 saw the much-anticipated UK launch of La Grande Dame Rosé 2015, a gold award winning cuvée by IWC and The Drinks Business, and an exquisite tribute to Madame Clicquot’s pioneering spirit and love for Pinot Noir. This elegant, complex cuvée was met with widespread acclaim, reinforcing Veuve Clicquot in the prestige Champagne category. In 2024 La Grande Dame had a record-breaking year, subsequently developing a strong female sommelier community centred around the cuvée and keeping in the spirit of Madame Clicquot’s passion, purpose and Bold nature.
Honouring Bold Women: The 52nd Bold Woman Awards
The Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Awards returned for its 52nd edition, celebrating visionary women who are shaping the future of business, culture, and society. With an impressive roster of nominees and winners, the awards received unprecedented media coverage with an editorial reach of 738 million and 376 pieces of coverage. Shining a light on female leadership and the paying tribute to the legacy of Madame Clicquot. The awards, held at the Royal Opera House in London, gathered 200 industry leaders and entrepreneurs to celebrate modern businesswomen and change, reinforcing the House’s commitment to inclusion.
Playful Celebrations: The Road to the Sun
In 2024, Veuve Clicquot brought its signature Solaire spirit to some of the UK’s most sought-after restaurants, hotels, and bars. The Road to the Sun campaign allowed different trade venues to personalise pairings with the Veuve Clicquot portfolio, creating moments of joy and bringing something new. For example, an impressive x84 different burger pairings with a glass of Yellow Label went live in 2024!
The playful spirit of Veuve Clicquot also transcended into unforgettable experiences at Goodwood Festival of Speed, Qatar and Revival as well as Wilderness Festival. And as the year drew to a close, Veuve Clicquot launched their ‘Gift with Style’ campaign that saw the unveiling of their Regent Street Winter Windows at Hotel Café Royal. As well as the highly anticipated Puffy Bottle Holder, a chic and sustainable accessory designed to keep your Champagne perfectly chilled while on the go, reinforcing the Maison’s ability to blend luxury with playful creativity.
A New Era for Garden Gastronomy
In 2024 Veuve Clicquot’s Garden Gastronomy programme redefined the art of food and Champagne. An approach centred around locally sourced, plant-led culinary excellence and La Grande Dame. This programme, led by chef Sally Abé in 2024, sparked conversation around innovative gastronomy and the opportunities with La Grande Dame. Garden Gastronomy will now be led in the UK by Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons’s Executive Head Chef, Luke Selby.
Looking Ahead
In 2025 Veuve Clicquot leads with La Grande Dame at the forefront, expanding their culinary and cultural footprint. With lots of exciting launches to come
@veuveclicquot
Veuve Clicquot
Maison Report
2023
Charles Heidsieck 2023
2023 started with some big news at Charles Heidsieck as we welcomed our new Cellar Master, Elise Losfelt! Elise took the reins from Cyril Brun in April 2023, bringing a wealth of wine making experience and great energy to the maison. Her impact is being felt already as she looks to maintain Charles’ revered house style but find small areas for continued improvement.
March 2023 was our 1st year as official Champagne Partner of the Michelin Awards Ceremony; a wonderful opportunity to chat with so many chefs and see them reach the pinnacle of their efforts live on stage. There were 20 new one-star restaurants and 3 new 2-star restaurants announced. Four restaurants received a Michelin ‘Green Star’ for the first time. The gala ceremony will move from Silverstone in 2023 to Manchester in 2024.
2023 offered some challenges in the vineyards, and in the global champagne market. After the anomalous post-COVID ‘boom’ years of 2021 and 2022, demand for champagne dropped back to a normal level in 2023, alongside a period of belt-tightening due to the global economic picture. In the vineyards, mother nature was kind for the first half of the season but threw up some challenges in the second half. Chardonnay fared best in the region, though careful sorting of bunches means we’ll see some nice base wines from the black grape varieties too.
Dealing with challenging vintages is something the Champenois are used to, however healthy vines are the best place to start. In 2022, Charles Heidsieck (along with sister House, Piper-Heidsieck) became the first Champagne Houses to achieve B-Corp certification. This illustrates the commitment to improving both their social and environmental impacts on the planet, representing a crucial step in an evolution towards a positive and purpose-driven business model. The Houses value their innovative winemaking practices in order to produce wines of the highest quality whilst acknowledging a global responsibility to positively impact the environment and society through sustainable practices. This philosophy is based on sustainable viticulture, reduction of both carbon footprint and waste, and the promotion of diversity, inclusion, and the quality of life at work. The Houses wish to inspire others in the larger wine industry as well as in the Champagne region to join the movement, and to use business as a force for good.
Late summer is always a highlight in our Charles Heidsieck calendar as we look towards harvest, but also towards Concours of Elegance car show at Hampton Court Palace. Three days of rare and beautiful cars, late summer sunshine and plentiful champagne is a lovely way to see out the season.
We look ahead to 2024 as we begin our year as Presidential House of The Champagne Academy; an honour that comes around just once every 16 years!
I hope to see many of you at one of the dinners or events planned for 2024,
Charles Heidseick
Chairmans Report
2023
2023 Academicians
Chairmans Annual Report 2023
I firstly want to say what an honour it has been to Chair the Champagne Academy for 2023. I was invited to join the Academy in 2014, 10 years ago almost to the day, when I was a young Food & Beverage Manager working in the Luxury Country House Hotel world in the North of England. Already with a strong passion & a fledgling knowledge for Wine & Champagne, my induction into the Academy, with its truly fantastic course, and the network of Industry experts & professional I have met following, has helped my career get to where it is today, travelling the world talking about the Champagnes produced by G.H.Mumm & Perrier-Jouët.
As I took over from Andrew Fullerton, who I once again thank for his 3 amazing years as Chairman through the pandemic, I started to form a focus of how I saw The Champagne Academy, and what it meant to me & the Alumni as a whole. This is where I developed my ‘guiding light’ for my year as Chair.
The Three E's
Evolution - Not Revolution, after a few difficult years, led by Andrew Fullerton, we advanced a lot, now is the time to continue to drive the Academy forward, with measured actions.
Education - This is the heart of the Academy on the Maison’s side as well as the UK. With learning about Champagne, Maisons, Cuvees critical, and the sharing of that information around the country.
Equality - With many facets relevant, including, ensuring all Maisons are represented equally, ensuring we have a selection process that includes all Channels, a varied geography, and a mix of gender, experience & knowledge.
And so, the 2023 Year of events, which I will try to keep brief,
January – Alternative Cuvee Tasting - Bateaux London
The first event of the year started us off with the striking Bateaux. A great location, with a picturesque proposal, Champagne on the Thames. We did learn some lessons from this event, which I write here, so we may hope not to repeat. Champagne tasting on a swaying boat, with very low light fittings…not a great idea! But thanks to Nick & Craig for organising. We got to see some interesting wines as part of the Alternative selection, the Rosé Krug & 2005 Charles Heidsieck some of what stuck in my memory.
March – Vintage Tasting - Fora – Borough
As we hit spring, we tried to make the most of the slightly later sunsets, with our Vintage Tasting held on the top floor of Fora, in Borough London. In a contemporary space, with amazing views, we showcased the latest vintages from all the Grandes Marques. A modest evening helping us re-assess the houses once more.
May – The Champagne Academy 64th London Dinner – One Great George Street
The event, that as Chair, I get to organise & plan. Working with Presidential House, Champagne Bollinger, we found a timeless venue, in One Great George Street, on the same road as Westminster Abbey & the Houses of Parliament. Set in a magnificent Grade II listed, four-domed, Edwardian building, celebrating the greatest Engineers of yesteryear, we enjoyed a delectable 4 course meal, paired with our Presidential house wines, Bollinger & Vice Presidential Houses, Champagne Taittinger & Charles Heidsieck. Hosted by President, Guy de Reviore of Champagne Bollinger & myself, we had several of the 2024 Candidates join us as guests of the Houses & we saw the return of The Drinks Trust Charity Raffle.
September – Scotland Dinner – The Signet Library, Edinburgh
Craig Bonner, has once again stunned us all with the elegant beauty of Scotland, with the Signet Library. Fast becoming the ‘cannot miss’ event of the winter season, Scotland showed us again the quality of venue, food & hospitality it produces. The exquisite venue, lighting, table settings and floral decoration made it a magical environment to enjoy the wines in, and I want to thank Craig & the team at Heritage Portfolio for the passion & attention to detail in planning the evening.
October - Northern Dinner – The Chester Grosvenor, Chester
Every year we say we should look for a new venue on the North, but once again we found nowhere able to match the quality of the Chester Grosvenor, so we returned, this time with their new Executive Chef, Elliot Arkle at the helm, and within our audience, the renowned and Honorary Academician, Simon Radley, his predecessor. A delightful evening, with thanks to David Garlick for organising.
Good luck to the new committee & Presidential house finding a Grosvenor beater in 2024, though if we do come back, I’ll enjoy every sip & every mouthful.
October – Midlands Dinner – Mallory Court, Leamington Spa
2023 saw the inaugural dinner organised by Sonal Clare, for the Midlands. The Midlands has a strong & passionate contingent of Academicians, so I’m sure there was some pressure for Sonal, but he stepped up to the plate, finding Mallory Court to host the dinner. The food was excellent, and the service charming & friendly. The Maison’s have agreed the Midlands can be a test bed for trying new things with dinners, to see how we can keep the sense of occasion, but stay up to date with culture & hospitality, in a modern wine industry. A great start, and we look forward to seeing what Sonal brings to his dinners in the future.
November – Irish Dinner – The Merrion Hotel Dublin
My first experience of the Irish Dinner, of which I had heard stories of long Champagne fueled nights, so I really had no idea what to expect. The Merrion Hotel is a stunning property, and the food demonstrated, the culinary Mal also introduced his successor, in Lisa O’Doherty, who will organise the 2024 dinner in Dublin. Big shoes to fill, but I’m sure we will have a great experience later this year.
January 2024 – Alternative Cuvee Tasting – 1 Hotel London
Thank you to Nick for organising this, a great way to exhibit his beautiful new property, and a great space for our tasting. I said during the night, I was truly amazed and impressed by the enthusiasm in the room, and the genuinely diverse audience that joined.
2023 Course
We had a fantastic class of candidates this year, join us in Reims & Epernay in June. With amazing weather from day 1, almost losingh a few of us to sun burn and peeling skin from the start, we had a course of engaged and enthusiastic students, which I am happy to say all passed the course and have entered into our Alumni.
So please welcome our new Academicians,
-Sam Lawton -Gosia Pajak
-Farrah Scanlon -Jevgeni Kadilin
-Rostislav Petrov -Rosemary Williams
-Ashley Clarke -Donald Edwards
Before the top 3, we have a few special mentions;
-Steffan Griffiths, who performed well in the exams & tasting, but almost more importantly brought laughter, jollity & song to the week, lifting spirits at all hours!
-Alexandra Mawson, passed with Merit
-Agnieszka Sledz, passed with Merit
-Erik Simonics, passed with Merit
-Paul Richards, passed with Merit
And for the final 3;
Third Place - Matthew Whitten - St Austell
Second Place - Luma Monterio - Davy's Wine Merchants
First Place & Silver Magnum Winner - Philip Dunne - The Doyle Collection
The Houses
The Champagne Academy would not exist with out the support of the houses, so a big thanks now and always to them all for their commercial support as well as the individuals that support us directly, with their passion and dedication to the world of Champagne.
But of course, special thanks to our Vice Presidential houses, Champagne Taittinger & Charles Heidsieck, from Kevin McKee & Simon Stockton respectively.
And massive thanks to our Presidential house Champagne Bollinger, our President Guy de Rivoire and in his absence Charles-Armand. But especially to Elise Mather, who has been the driving force in the UK, and helped me make this year happen, with relatively few hurdles to master. Thank you all.
Drinks Trust
A short note about our Charity for this year, The Drinks Trust, we raised over £9,000 through our Charity raffles, which is no small amount, which The Drinks Trust have allocated to their ‘DEVELOP’ program, helping train and enhance the skills of young and new to the industry people, that will in turn drive forward the Wine & Hospitality sector. Thanks to Ross Carter, CEO of The Drinks Trust, for coming to the events, and inspiring everyone to give for a great cause, and some greater Champagnes.
Le Fin
And as I come to the end of my tenure, I breathe a deep sigh of contentment & relief, as I hope I have shepherded another year of the Academy in the right direction, and wish Nick Bromhead, the greatest of luck as he takes on the baton.
Onwards & Upwards, Santé.
Paul Walker
The Champagne Academy
Chair 2023
#ChampAcad
Paul Walker
Another Day, Another Maison
Maison Report
2023
La Grande Dame 2015 Rosé
250th Anniversary and History of Madame Clicquot
2023 marked a significant year for Veuve Clicquot, with Maison marking its 250 years of history with celebrations across the year. Veuve Clicquot honoured the legacy of Madame Clicquot, spotlighting her creativity and passion for innovation which led to several ground-breaking milestones in Champagne production: the creation of the first known vintage champagne, the invention of the riddling table, and the development of the first known blended rosé champagne - three inventions that revolutionised industry and were widely adopted by producers, becoming the basis of modern champagne production.
Madame Clicquot made her name into a brand of excellence and had it shine the world over. Her formidable contributions earned her the nickname of "La Grande Dame of Champagne". In 2023, Veuve Clicquot therefore continued to build on this heritage by creating, innovating and surrounding itself with bold and daring personalities, celebrating its 250th anniversary in fitting style with an ode to joy and optimism.
Solaire Culture
This year Veuve Clicquot celebrated its 250-year anniversary with the opening of Solaire culture at Piccadilly Circus, London. The Solaire culture exhibition shined a light on Veuve Clicquot’s 250 years of history taking visitors on an immersive journey through the house’s heritage to the modern-day bold and optimistic champagne house. Through the lens of an audacious female-only team, Veuve Clicquot established a dialogue between its legacy and the contemporary vision of the curator, Camille Morineau, and designer Constance Guisset to bring Solaire culture to life, featuring artists including the iconic Yayoi Kusama and the UK’s Cece Philips and Rosie McGuinness.
Bold Awards 2023
Since 1972, Veuve Clicquot has shown commitment to women and female entrepreneurs all over the world, even more notably through BOLD by Veuve Clicquot, an international program to increase women entrepreneurs’ visibility. This 51st celebration of Veuve Clicquot’s commitment to championing and supporting bold, audacious women continued throughout the duration of the exhibition with a dynamic programme of cultural events and a new BOLD room within the exhibition space showcasing the stories and inspirations behind our BOLD community.
The Bold Woman Award is a modern evolution of Veuve Clicquot’s Business Woman Award, which has been running since 1972 and is the first and longest-running international accolade of its kind. The panel of judges look for women who emulate the qualities of Madame Clicquot, an original trailblazer who back in 1805 was known for her enterprising spirit, as well as her courage and determination necessary to accomplish her goals.
In 2023 the ceremony was hosted at Veuve Clicquot’s Solaire Culture Exhibition, with exceptional female entrepreneur, Tessa Clarke, announced as the winner of the 2023 Bold Woman Award by Veuve Clicquot. The 51st woman to be honoured with the award, Tessa Clarke was recognised due to her inspirational work creating food sharing app, Olio. Karen Scofield Seal, CEO and founder of Oceanium, was awarded the Bold Future Award by Veuve Clicquot which celebrates up and coming female leaders of the future.
La Grande Dame 2015 Launch
While celebrating its 250th anniversary Veuve Clicquot released La Grande Dame 2015, showcasing Cellar Master Didier Mariotti's dedication to Pinot Noir. As Madame Clicquot used to say 200 years ago, “Our black grapes give the finest white wines” an affirmation that still rings true. La Grande Dame 2015 proved to be an exceptional sunny vintage for a wine full of tension and elegance. The wine's remarkable verticality was unveiled through the Pinot Noirs harvested from the Maison’s historical Crus. As a refined blend of Veuve Clicquot’s historical Grands Crus, La Grande Dame stands as the pinnacle of the Maison’s oenological prowess, possessing immense aging potential.
Additionally for this new vintage of La Grande Dame, master of colour and artist Paola Paronetto met the expression of Veuve Clicquot’s excellence with an exclusive collaboration. A chromatic symphony that echoes the harmony of the 2015 vintage. Paola created six unique gift boxes, produced sustainably, in a shower of hues from her very own colour palette, infused with emotion and optimism.
Stella McCartney Collaboration
In December 2023, Stella McCartney and Veuve Clicquot announced a collaboration on a pioneering grape-based alternative to animal leather – embodying both LVMH Maisons’ shared values and long-term commitments to sustainability, circularity and regenerative practices. The next-gen material is made from the by-products of Veuve Clicquot’s harvest and has been used to handcraft six Stella McCartney accessories, a selection of which debuted at the Summer 2024 runway show during Paris Fashion Week. Stella McCartney was additionally the guest of honour at Veuve Clicquot’s Bold Woman Award 2023 in Paris. The collection is available for purchase at Stella McCartney boutiques in March 2024.
2024
In 2024 Veuve Clicquot will take you on a new solaire journey. A journey to experience the ideal of a life under the sun, where the energy is positive, everything more audacious, more dazzling, more luminous. “The desire to travel, to share, or simply live outside.”
La Grande Dame will continue to showcase the best of Veuve Clicquot, with the highly anticipated launch of La Grande Dame 2015 Rosé later this year, marking the first time that an artistic design collaboration has been extended to Rosé.
Facebook - @VeuveClicquot
X - @VeuveClicquot
Instagram: @veuveclicquot
www.veuveclicquot.com
Veuve Clicquot
Veuve Clicquot Stella McCartney Collaboration
Maison Report
2023
Bollinger 2023
Champagne Bollinger has been part of the history of the Champagne region for 195 years. Founded in 1829 the House remains resolutely independent, and family owned.
As the dominant grape variety in the range, Pinot Noir is the very essence of Champagne Bollinger. Four new cuvées were launched in 2023 including R.D. 2008, PN AYC18, La Côte Aux Enfants Champagne 2013 and Vieilles Vignes Françaises 2012. The launch of PN AYC18 marked the release of the fourth in the House’s limited-edition 100% Pinot Noir series, exploring the unique interpretation of Pinot Noir from Aÿ 2018. March saw a celebration of the iconic R.D. 2008 launch at Spencer House. R.D. is a wine that has always been ahead of its time and embodies Madame Bollinger’s visionary spirit, disgorged only prior to release. It was also the first cuvée in history to put a disgorgement date on the label.
In September 2023, after more than two years of dedicated teamwork, Champagne Bollinger was proud to obtain their B Corp certification. This international certification sets very high standards in terms of social, societal, and environmental performance. It recognises the company's commitments by evaluating over 200 criteria focussed around five areas: governance, employees, community, environment, and customers. Maison Bollinger maintains its ongoing commitment to people, the land, and its roots.
Champagne Bollinger looks forward to celebrating its Bicentenary Year in 2029, with many ambitious plans already in full swing, including a renovation of their historic site in Aÿ. Over the coming years, the team will be hard at work to complete major projects that reflect and reaffirm Bollinger’s longstanding values. These projects will include a cathedral-like cellar open to the vines, holding 5,000 228L barrels and an oenotourism site set in the heart of the vines to house tasting rooms, a hotel, and a restaurant.
Bollinger continues as the Official Champagne of England Rugby. The fabulous Bollinger Tent returned to the West Fan Village at Twickenham Stadium, where fans could come together to celebrate on match days. Bollinger’s sponsorship continued with the 23rd year of the Bollinger Everyman Wodehouse Prize, the UK’s longest running prize for comic fiction. The prize is awarded to the novel deemed to best capture the spirit of the late PG Wodehouse and was won by Bob Mortimer in 2023 for his brilliantly funny debut novel The Satsuma Complex.
Here's to many more prosperous launches, events, and milestones to come in 2024, and the Champagne Bollinger team hope to raise a glass with you at the upcoming Champagne Academy events!
Bollinger
Maison Report
2023
Perrier-Jouet 2023
Founded in 1811 in Epernay, Maison Perrier-Jouët is one of France’s most historic champagne houses, but also one of its most distinctive, renowned for its floral and intricate champagnes which reveal the true essence of the Chardonnay grape and an enduring tradition of savoir-faire – an unparalleled expertise of only seven Cellar Masters since its foundation. A boutique house with a family spirit, Perrier-Jouët has been profoundly influenced by its founders’ love of nature and art – twin inspirations which allow it to create exceptional experiences and moments of wonder that enhance everyday life. Since its 1902 collaboration with Art Nouveau pioneer Emile Gallé, creator of the anemone design for its Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque prestige cuvée, Perrier-Jouët has commissioned work from established and emerging artists including Bethan Laura Wood, Daniel Arsham, Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance, Miguel Chevalier, Makoto Azuma, Tord Boontje, Studio Glithero, Simon Heijdens, Vik Muniz, mischer’traxler, Ritsue Mishima, Andrew Kudless or Fernando Laposse.
Today, Maison Perrier-Jouët is drawing on its heritage to focus its attention on the complexity of the living world and the interconnections between species, mankind included. To help preserve and enrich the biological diversity, which is fundamental to nature’s ecosystems, the House is using its own vineyard to trial new practices and share them with its partner winegrowers. Since 2021, Maison Perrier-Jouët has been experimenting with regenerative viticulture in a section of its vineyard covering approximately 10 hectares, or 11% of the total. The House’s objective is to have 100% of its vineyard in regenerative viticulture by 2030, and 100% of its partners certified in sustainable viticulture.
Perrier-Jouet
Maison Report
2023
A two-metre bronze statue of famous British statesman, Sir Winston Churchill has been unveiled at the Champagne house he had such a lifelong affection for – Pol Roger.
Pol Roger 2023
Pol Roger celebrated its 175th Anniversary in 2024, fittingly, with drinks parties and lunches across the length of the UK. From Glasgow to Bristol and London to Yorkshire, customers were invited to join the festivities that marked the momentous milestone of six generations of family ownership and 175 years of history.
The sixth generation of the founding family also joined the ranks of Pol Roger Portfolio in the UK; Martin Heidsieck, who is Hubert de Billy’s nephew, has been conducting numerous tastings and dinners as the company’s Brand Development Executive.
Pol Roger launched both Brut Rosé 2018 and Brut Vintage 2018 in the first quarter of this year. The 2018 vintage represents the first of a triumvirate of outstanding vintages in Champagne and has been very well received by both the trade and critics alike. We look forward to the release of the Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill 2018 in the Spring of 2025.
This year also saw the official opening of Pol Roger’s new bottling and storage facility, built on the site of the famous cellar collapse 124 years ago. The opening of this major investment was commemorated with a two metre bronze statue of Sir Winston Churchill, as members of both the Pol Roger and Churchill families gathered at the end of June to officially unveil the piece by Paul Rafferty.
The family and company remain committed to the production of outstanding Champagne, paying tribute to the last 175 years and eagerly anticipating the future of this historic house.
Pol Roger
Maison Report
2023
Harry Lambert curated a Moët & Chandon dinner experience
Moët & Chandon 2023 Review
Moët & Chandon is celebrating over 280 years as the world’s most-loved champagne. For over a quarter of a millennium, the renowned French winemaker has been sharing the magic of champagne with the world. Every glass overflows with the House’s hallmark values of history, generosity, savoir-faire, success, boldness and elegance—values still at the heart of its universal appeal.
In 2023, Moët & Chandon commemorated the first anniversary of the world’s first Moët & Chandon bar. For over a year, Harrods shoppers indulged in tantalising culinary delights, exquisite pairings, and captivating cocktails, immersed in the ultimate brand experience beneath the shimmering allure of an effervescent-inspired chandelier.
For the fifth consecutive year, Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage graced the prestigious Royal Ascot as the official champagne, heralding the arrival of an unforgettable summer season. With five bars showcasing its iconic blends and exclusive hospitality at the Moët & Chandon box, the brand curated an unparalleled ambience of luxury and spectacle. Notably, ensuring Frankie Dettori received a Balthazar of Moët & Chandon Impérial Brut marked a crowning moment at his farewell Royal Ascot appearance!
Moët & Chandon embarked on another thrilling chapter in its sustainability journey in 2023, expanding its partnership with SUGi to plant three additional pocket forests in urban areas across the UK. This collaboration, aimed at fostering biodiversity within city environments, is poised to further develop throughout 2024.
In honour of its 280th anniversary, Moët & Chandon released Collection Impériale Création No. 1. A product of Moët & Chandon’s centuries-old savoir-vin, Création No. 1 is the pinnacle of the Maison's practice of Haute Oenologie. Made from an assemblage of remarkable vintages this Brut Nature cuvée is aged through different maturation processes in oak casks and on the lees, in bottles. To support the launch, Moët & Chandon partnered with contemporary American artist Daniel Arsham to bring the vision of Haute Oenologie to life. Arsham created an avant-garde masterpiece and 85 collectable limited editions to accompany the multilayered new cuvée. In October, Cellar Master Benoît Gouez and Daniel Arsham hosted the global Collection Impériale launch event in Paris before the prestige cuvée was officially launched in the UK in Harrods in December.
Moët & Chandon reaffirmed its long-standing relationship with Fashion by hosting six remarkable British designers at Château de Saran, covered exclusively in ELLE Magazine. The ultimate ‘Savoir Fête’ trip, featured designers Harry Lambert, Saul Nash, Feben, Foday Dumbuya, Annie Noble and Marco Capaldo. The relationship with ELLE continued into London Fashion Week, with Moët & Chandon supporting the ELLE Style Awards as the official champagne partner, hosting dear friends of the House, Gemma Chan and Billie Piper.
For the fashion community, Harry Lambert curated a Moët & Chandon dinner experience, and Marco Capaldo, Founder and Creative Director of fashion house 16Arlington, hosted a festive fashion talk at Harrods followed by Champagne at the Moët & Chandon Bar. Moët & Chandon also supported its designers’ London Fashion Week shows ensuring Mini Moëts and Magnums were ever-present backstage and in the front row.
Finishing the year in style, Moët & Chandon proudly served as the official champagne of The British Fashion Awards at The Royal Albert Hall. The star-studded table included luminaries such as Alexa Chung, Lily James and more, cementing the brand’s status of iconicity, grandeur and glamour.
In 2024, Moët & Chandon eagerly anticipates another year of enchanting champagne enthusiasts worldwide - stay up to date with our latest news through the links below:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/moet/
Instagram: @MoetChandon
Website: www.moet.com
Moët & Chandon
Maison Report
2023
Mumm 2023
Mumm is part of Martell Mumm Perrier-Jouët, the prestigious cognac and champagne business of Pernod Ricard, the world’s n°2 in wines and spirits. With its distinguished heritage dating back to 1827, Mumm is the leading international champagne House in France and third worldwide. Mumm Grand Cordon pays tribute to the iconic red sash – indented in the glass as part of a whole series of innovations. The revolutionary bottle is the perfect embodiment of the spirit of the House associated with audacious challenges and ground-breaking endeavours.
Maison Mumm is delighted to announce the arrival of its new Cellar Master, Yann Munier, on 8 April 2024. A native of Champagne, Yann Munier has a deep connection to the region, having grown up in a family of winemakers and growers. With extensive training in agronomy, agricultural engineering, and oenology, he has mastered every stage of champagne production and is known for his commitment to the terroir of Champagne and the quality of its wines.
On July 6th, 2024, the triple-starred chef Hideaki Sato will take up the reins at La Table des Chefs in Reims. Over the course of the season, he will unveil his highly inspired and inspiring French Japanese cuisine to the Champagne region.
In August 2024, the House G.H. Mumm embarked on a new adventure by partnering with the first cargo sailing ship, TOWT, destined for New York. This innovative collaboration reflects a pioneering spirit and mutual commitment to ecological values, resulting in a remarkable 90% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to traditional cargo ships. G.H. Mumm is now set to conduct monthly transatlantic crossings and aims to scale up its operations as the fleet grows.
GH Mumm
Maison Report
2023
Ruinart chooses artist Eva Jospin for 2023 Carte Blanche commission
The Contemporary & Conscious Jewel of Champagne since 1729
Ruinart is the world’s first established Champagne House, founded in 1729. It is recognised as a Chardonnay specialist, with this grape harvested from vineyards in the Côte des Blancs and Montagne de Reims, at the heart of all the cuvées. Today, art, sustainability and art de vivre define the universe of Ruinart, together with a strength derived from three centuries of history.
Every year, since 2018, Ruinart has invited an international contemporary artist to share his or her vision of the champagne house. Maison Ruinart has entrusted its Carte Blanche 2023 to Eva Jospin for a new artistic interpretation of its history and know-how. Eva Jospin, a French visual artist known for her evocative installations and sculptures born from wild landscapes, brought her unique perspective to Ruinart's terroir. Her Carte Blanche Commission, PROMENADE(S), transformed the Ruinart Art Bar at Frieze London into a captivating space from 11th to 15th October. Eva Jospin's artistic reinterpretation extended to the creation of a collection case around a Jeroboam of Blanc de Blancs. In this masterpiece, the wooden box became a canvas for a miniature crayère, sculpted from layers of recycled cardboard—a testament to Ruinart's commitment to sustainability and innovation.
The Maison's dedication to preserving savoir-faire and supporting wine professionals was evident in the success of the 2023 Ruinart Sommelier Challenge. This event, held at The Conduit Club on 20th February, aimed to raise awareness and foster advocacy among gatekeeper sommeliers. Frédéric Panaiotis, Ruinart Chef de Caves, hosted the event, which included a blind tasting, a technical master class on 'Climate Change and Grape Ripening Dynamics.
@ruinart @ruinart_winemakers
Ruinart
Ruinart Sommelier Challenge
Maison Report
2023
Collection 242, Louis Roederer
Champagne Academy Gazette 2023: Champagne Louis Roederer
Despite the global turmoil that underpinned 2023, the year saw a full and engaging calendar of events for Champagne Louis Roederer. We were delighted to present Cristal 2015 to the UK market showcasing all its sublime crystalline purity, salinity and fruit concentration. It was a vintage that spoke of the soil from which it was born despite the sunny vintage conditions. It is certainly a vintage that will stand the test of time promising to age with grace and complexity over the decades.
We also celebrated the release of the latest opus of the Collection multi-vintage range, 244 with a fascinating and educational masterclass showing a superb vertical of experimental cuvees which led up to the release of the inaugural 242 in 2021, hosted by Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon. The detail, science and poetry behind the development of this exceptional wine had the audience absolutely rapt.
The two headline Maisons Marques et Domaines tastings; the Annual tasting in March and the Icons tasting in September provided a wonderful platform to showcase the Louis Roederer range.
Louis Roederer were honoured to continue their patronage of the arts with their ongoing partnership with the Royal Academy of Arts, supporting a number of their exhibition launches including the highly anticipated Marina Abramovic exhibition.
We also took the opportunity to deepen our ties with the art world and start working with The Unit London, supporting the opening of artist Sasha Ferre’s first solo exhibition with a VIP dinner at the gallery.
2023 saw the second edition of The Louis Roederer Photography Prize for Sustainability which was awarded to the hugely talented M’hammed Kilito for his dramatic series ‘Before Its Gone’ looking at the importance of the Oases in Morocco.
We of course continued our longstanding sponsorship of the epic Obsession Gastronomic Festival held at The Northcote in Lancashire where a stream of unbelievably talented chefs made guest appearances. In all 20 established and emerging chefs boasting 16 Michelin stars between them appeared over 17 nights.
The Spirit of Christmas fair was again a highlight of the festive period with the buzzing Louis Roederer champagne bars ringing with laughter and clinking champagne flutes while the Louis Roederer masterclasses were full to the rafters.
We were excited to award the Champagne Louis Roederer BAME Bursary to Marion Muthiani which will allow her to complete the two year WSET diploma. Now living and working in London, when Marion completes the diploma, she will be the first female Kenyan to have attained it. With her passion and dedication we have no doubt she will sail through it.
We continue to strengthen our ties with our partners, co-hosting events in London, Leeds and Edinburgh. 2023 saw the unveiling of the stunning Clive Christian Furniture townhouse showroom with its dramatic Cristal wall and superb wine cellar. We were no less busy with our media partners hosting collaborative dinners and show stopping events in some of the UK’s most luxurious surroundings.
It was a busy year all round, punctuated with wonderful moments celebrating this glorious wine, and we look forward to more of the same in 2024. Santé!
Louis Roederer
M’hammed Kilito wins the 2023 Louis Roederer Photography Prize for Sustainability
Maison Report
2023
Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs 2013
Taittinger 2023
Champagne Academy Gazette – Champagne Taittinger
2023
We started the year with a bang at Champagne Taittinger in the UK as January saw the global final of Le Taittinger culinary prize in London – the first time the final has been hosted outside of Paris. What a way for team UK to start the year! After a day of seeing London: St Paul’s cathedral, a pub lunch and dinner at Emily Roux’s Caractère, the finalists gathered at Le Cordon Bleu London school very early on 31st January, with their mentors from each country, ready to show the panel of judges what they can do. With Paul Burgalières of L’Enclume respresenting the UK, and 7 other candidates from around the world, a hard battle was fought. This year, Holland’s Jan Smink of Smink took the trophy. The candidates, along with some of the top chefs of the world, convened at BAFTA 195 Piccadilly for the awards ceremony and to enjoy a 5 course meal, cooked by BAFTA’s chef Anton Manganaro. A total of 23 Michelin stars communed in one dining room; a truly exceptional few days that will go in our history books.
In France, the vines kept us on our toes – as they always do – with what Vineyard Director Christelle Rinville calls a ‘slightly puzzling year’. Temperatures were warmer than normal and rainfall was high at the right times. The heavy weight of the bunches were quite something to behold but the number of bunches per vine was lower than previous years.
In our iconic chalk cellars, renovations continued and so we launched an alternative experience for those wishing to visit Champagne Taittinger and get to know our world. Guests could visit the historic Demeure des Comtes and be immersed in a world of Thibaud IV – the Count of Champagne who shapes our Champagne story. We were also thrilled to open the doors to our town house on Boulevard Lundy, in the heart of the city of Reims. Originally belonging to Claude Taittinger, this beautiful building is now a hub to welcome our esteemed guests of the trade.
Commercially, there were highs and lows to the year. As the market began to soften and demand reduced back to what we would call more ‘normal’ levels, our teams were able to take stock off from allocation for a number of customers and revert to a more standard ‘supply and demand’ approach. Of course, this softening of demand was partly due to the cost of living crisis and difficulties being faced by many of our customers. It is never a good thing to see our partners struggle and so we did everything we could to make the difficult market conditions a bit easier to navigate. We are always inspired by the way our partners, particularly in the on trade, take on adversity with resilience and open minds.
When faced with adverse conditions (and in fact, also when faced with favourable conditions) it is the responsibility of a Champagne House to offer moments of celebration and joy to its partners. In 2023 we did this with many events: as the preferred Champagne to FIFA, we enjoyed the women’s world cup over summer in Australia and New Zealand, where Taittinger partners from all over the world convened to support our respective teams and share a glass among friends. In the UK, we celebrated our 21st year supporting the British Academy of Film and Television Awards for the annual campaign of awards across film, games, craft, television, Scotland and Wales. We also helped our good friends at the Old Vic celebrate 200 years of the theatre and raise money for the next 200 years with their Gala. As supporters of craft and the arts, it is so important to us that organisations such as The Old Vic and BAFTA are able to support, inspire and empower the next generation of creatives.
In September, we launched the newest vintage of our prestige cuvée, Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs 2013. A voluptuous and glorious cuvée that is upfront and generous. The 2013 is another classic year. We celebrated with our friends and partners at the iconic Theatre Royal on Drury Lane, with Champagne, canapés and up and coming jazz artist Flo Blue. Clovis Taittinger and Patrick McGrath enjoyed thanking customer and partners for their support and we were especially pleased to welcome the granddaughter of Sean Connery – with Comtes’ connection to James Bond it was a truly befitting evening.
As 2024 rolls on we remain ever cautious yet optimistic. We are in the business of selling pleasure and we must make sure this remains at the centre of what we do. We are particularly excited to introduce the world to our English Sparkling Wine, Domaine Evremond, that will be launched in September this year.
Taittinger
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