Cover Image: Grand Vin
Image: Grand Vin
1 / 1
The Tatler Bar recommends these exquisite bubbly to pop open whatever the occasion
Whether it’s your birthday or Valentine’s Day, or simply because you feel you and your friends deserve a treat, there's always a good reason to pop open a fine bottle of champagne. In fact, this tradition of celebrating with bubbly dates back to the 1700s when the royal courts in Europe would serve an expensive bottle as a status symbol.
Decades on, Louis Roederer Champagne (which was founded in 1776) remains one of the top choices of many connoisseurs who appreciate the champagne's finesse, structure and well-balanced taste. It helps that the independent and family-owned maison owns almost 75 per cent of the vineyards, giving chef de cave Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon access to older reserve wines that are used to make excellent champagne. Here are four recommendations available on TheTatlerBar.com that would make a fine pick whatever the occasion.
(Related: Jay-Z Sells Half of His Armand de Brignac Champagne Brand to LVMH)
1 / 1
1. Louis Roederer Champagne Cristal 2008
The 2008 vintage is known for its intense and saline freshness, the result of an unusually dry and cool summer. Only the best (60 per cent pinot noir and 40 per cent chardonnay) from the Grand Crus villages are used in this blend, which had been matured for eight years and rested for eight months to fully develop rich and complex flavours. This fresh and well-structured champagne teases with an intense bouquet of candied fruits, pear, pollen and toasted almonds, followed by a smooth and almost liquorous mouthfeel.
(Related: The Best Dishes to Pair with Champagne)
1 / 1
2. Louis Roederer et Philippe Starck Champagne Brut Nature Rose 2012
While 2012 was a challenging year for the wine industry, there were good things from the vintage to look forward to. Case in point this Brut Nature Rose that’s 55 per cent pinot noir, 25 per cent pinot meunier and 20 per cent chardonnay. It’s a rich and full-bodied champagne, enriched with the spicy aroma of Sichuan pepper and floral notes of violet and gentian. The taste is more on the fruitier side (due to its high pinot noir content), but this is complemented by a juicy structure and ripe, almost sweet tannins.
1 / 1
3. Louis Roederer et Philippe Starck Brut Nature 2012
The vintage is one of the great champagnes that was produced during this difficult year, and it’s a medley of 55 per cent pinot noir, 25 per cent pinot meunier and 20 per cent chardonnay. Intense aromas of peach, candied lemon and hazelnuts greet the imbiber. But in the mouth it is juicy and textural, with smooth effervescence coating the palate before revealing its intense and saline freshness, and remarkable pure finish.
1 / 1
4. Louis Roederer Champagne Brut Premier
Perfect for your aperitif drinking is the Brut Premier, a blend of 40 per cent pinot noir, 40 per cent chardonnay and 20 per cent pinot meunier that had been aged for three years and left to rest for six months to reach ideal maturity. It is extremely smooth and fresh on the palate, with aromas of citrus fruits that blossom into fresh wood, subtle spices and honey nougat.
Dudi Aureus is the senior dining and travel editor at Tatler Singapore, covering the city’s most exciting restaurants, global travel trends, and the personalities shaping the culinary and lifestyle scenes. She also serves as co-jury chair for the Tatler Best awards in Singapore, celebrating the very best in hospitality. When she’s off duty, she can often be found at a favourite hole-in-the-wall Thai spot, savouring a perfectly balanced pad thai.
