Champagne Festival 2009

Last night was the 2^nd Annual Champagne & Other Bubbles Festival at the French Embassy.

The event featured a wine array of styles of sparkling wines, from traditional Champagnes to Brut sparkling wines, Prosecco & Cava to Rosés and darker and sweeter sparkling reds.

For those who signed up for the event early enough there were two classes on Champagne (its history, the champagne-making process, the naming system etc.)

The first class was taught by Laurent Guinand, and featured three champagnes:

Drappier Carte d’Or, AOC Champagne, France (90% Pinot Noir, 7% Chardonnay, 3% Pinot Meunier)

Drappier Rose Brut, AOC Champagne, France (100% Pinot Noir)

2000 Drappier Millesime Exception, AOC Champagne, France (65% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay, 5% Pinot Meunier)

The second class was taught by Pamela Margaux, head importer for Margaux & Company Imports, and featured two champagnes:

Janisson & Fils Brut, AOC Champagne, Verzenay, France (80% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay)

Janisson & Fils Rose Brut, AOC Champagne, Verzenay, France (50% Pinot Noir, 50% Chardonnnay)

If you had a chance to attend the event, we’d love to hear your comments about the event and the wines.

If you were unable to attend the festival, feel free to check out the list of wines served, and craft your own sparkling wine festival at home!

White Sparklers

Francois de Rozay Brut, AOC Champagne, France (55% Pinot Noir, 35% Pinot Meunier, 10% Chardonnay)

Janisson & Fils Brut, AOC Champagne, France (80% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay)

Nicolas Feuillatte Brut, AOC Champagne, France (40% Pinot Noir, 40% Pinot Meunier, 20% Chardonnay)

Champagne Drappier Brut Nature, AOC Champagne, France (100% Pinot Noir)

2005 Schramsberg Blanc de Blanc, Calistoga, California (100% Chardonnay)

2006 Thibaut-Janisson Blanc de Chardonnay Brut, Virginia (100% Chardonnay)

Gaetano D’Aquino, DOCG Asti Spumante Dolce, Italy (100% Moscato)

Ricardo Prosecco Brut, DOC Prosecco, Italy (100% Prosecco)

Bagrationi Brut, Republic of Georgia (Chinebuli, Tsitska, Mtsvane)

2006 Mont Marcal Cava, Penedes, Spain (40% Xarel-lo, 30% Macabeo, 20% Parellada, 10% Chardonnay)

2007 Finca La Linda, Mendoza, Argentina (50% Chardonnay, 50% Semillon)

Henkell Trockken Sekt, Wiesbaden, Germany (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc)

Rosé and Red Sparklers

Janisson & Fils Rosé, AOC Champagne, France, (50% Pinot Noir, 50% Chardonnay)

Blason de Bourgogne Rosé, AOC Cremant de Bourgogne, France (100% Pinot Noir)

Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Noir, Sonoma, CA (92% Pinot Noir, 8% Chardonnay)

Domaine Chandon Rosé, Napa, California (Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay)

Leo Hillinger Secco, Austria (100% Pinot Noir)

2006 Perle de Rose, VDQS Bugey, France (80% Pinot Noir, 20% Gamay)

Yellow Tail Sparkling Rose, Australia (Shiraz)

Santini Lambrusco Dolce, DOC Lambrusco Reggiano, Italy (100% Lambrusco)

Shooting Star Black Bubbles, Lake County, CA (100% Shiraz)

Our Favorites:

Laurent: 2000 Drappier Millesime Exception & 2005 Schramsberg Blanc de Blanc

Hailey: Leo Hillinger Secco & Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Noir

Will: Champagne Drappier Brut Nature & Janisson & Fils Brut

Feel free to share your own Rosé wine recommendations with us below!