RAISE A TOAST TO THE FESTIVE SEASON

As we lurch back from the relative freedoms of the summer, to the implementation of Plan B, where we are once again advised to work from home, there is a small consolation. You can sit in your gorgeous Clive Christian Furniture Kitchen (thank goodness you had the foresight and good taste to get that installed!) and get into the festive spirit by opening a beautiful bottle of champagne to raise a toast to those you love. And wouldn’t it be an added bonus if that champagne was not only top quality but was wholeheartedly dedicated to pioneering sustainability in the region?

The newest champagne released this year by Louis Roederer is called Collection 242 (so named as it is the 242nd harvest for the house) and is the result of a 20 year research project into global warming. 

Historically their non-vintage champagne, created in the 70’s, was made to combat lean, unripe grapes.  In 2002 however, the winemaker realised that the viticultural landscape had completely changed.  In the warming climate they were no longer fighting for ripeness but for freshness.  In order to respond to nature rather than trying to manipulate it, they recognised the need to change not only the way they farmed, but how they made their wine.  The realisation started a 20 year conversion of the whole estate to organic and biodynamic viticulture, and saw their wine making philosophy change in order to preserve a wonderful energetic core of saline freshness which perfectly complements the rich concentrated fruit. The results are not only reassuringly sustainable but utterly delicious.

Only launched in September 2021, it has already been awarded ‘World Champion NV champagne’ at the prestigious Champagne and Sparkling Wine World Championships. 

And so, with a glass of something rather special, we wish you all a very happy Christmas