Champagne For All Great Occasions

Most people consider champagne to be a golden sparkle which when poured into a glass, tickles the nose as one drinks it. Champagne is a way of life for many and a liquid which has an alarming effect on a person. Reputation, relationships, bank balance and credit cards have surprising changes, though the first two should always stay in the positive figures. The widely considered joke is that, if at all the qualities mentioned are disappointing, the fault lies with the imbiber and not the drink itself.

The colour of the liquid ranges from light gold to a dark shade but in rare cases, it is found to be amber. An anomaly called pink champagne too exists commonly referred to as rose. Pink champagne was produced in the 1970s when the colour of champagne was predominantly rose. The French discovered to press black grapes and a tint from the skin was excluded from the juice.

Debates mostly occur on the shape of the liquid’s glass than on the liquid. The shape is highly important as the champagne loses its bubbles very quickly. One should also know how to hold the glass.

Best served chilled, the initial taste is muted. A quick look on the label gives clarity to the type, sweet or dry. A person should know the names of all the ‘hot-shots’ just so that he can nod along whenever they crop up in a conversation.

Bollinger is one of the champagnes that positively improve with age. Wines are fermented in wooden caskets which gives a certain ‘Je ne sais quoi’ (I don’t know what) appeal to the taste. Mercier produces champagne that is far more affordable than any other grande mar- quee, also famous for its promotional hot air balloons. Duetz can be referred to as champagne producer’s champagne. Pommery specialises in large bottles.

Champagne is a drink which must be opened only on special occasions. For birthdays, a musical champagne bottle from Bouteilles en fete is perfect as the bottle sings ‘Happy Birthday’ in both English and French when opened. For Valentine’s Day, Duval Leroys Fleur de Champagne is the ideal choice. To celebrate victory or defeat, Napolean is the answer and ultimately, if luxury is the thing being hunted after, Krugs honey toned Blanc de Blanc is the perfect nectar for the taste buds.

The opening of a champagne bottle is a ceremony in itself. It is a skill and many aficionados consider it to be a form of art. Hence, the opening should be dignified, discreet and never wasteful. If the ability to play snooker is a sign of misspent youth, the ability to open a bottle of champagne with panache is a sign of a cultivated adolescence.

- LATA JAIN