Here’s what we have goin’ on in TALK Greenville this month…
Who’s ready for a new year, a fresh start, a hard reboot?? We are for sure! As we enter the final month of this terribly topsy-turvy year (finally, right??!), we are ready to pop some corks and let the bubbles flow! We sat down for a little tutorial a few weeks back at a Champagne masterclass at Foxcroft Wine Co., and came away with a fresh supply of the sparkly stuff – all chilled and waiting for the celebration to begin!
a delightful “accident”…
Believe it or not, ol’ Dom Pérignon spent much of his life trying to kill the fizz in his wines! Wines produced in the Champagne region of France (the only wines that get to be called Champagne with a capital “C”) have the natural tendency to bubble, but early French wine makers saw this as a major drawback…a sign of wine gone bad. The English actually took a liking to the sparkles, shipping barrels across the channel in the early 1600’s, well before the French realized they were onto something – and we are so glad they did!
Pierre Moncuit “Delos” 2006…
It was a privilege to taste this 2006 Grand Cru which is comprised of grapes from only that year. The 37-acre Moncuit operation started producing champagne in 1860, and they pride themselves on their custom balancing (no stiff, stuffy formula here) for flavor and character. We belles love anything custom, so high points for making us feel special!
Lilbert-Fils Blanc de Blancs
This delicious creation comes from a small vineyard (only 8 acres) that began producing champagne in the 1700’s – so they certainly have experience on their side! Using exclusively Chardonnay grapes, they produce only 2500 cases per year, so it was a special treat to sip this broad, well-rounded, yet fresh and ripe result. We especially enjoyed the smaller boules or bubbles that tickled our tastebuds. One word of advice…once the cork is popped and this lovely champagne is exposed to air, the aroma and taste change dramatically; so be patient, give it a swirl, and enjoy every sip!
Jacquesson No. 743…(our FAVE!)
This is the champagne that Napoleon took along as an “essential provision” on his many campaigns, even taking it with him on his ill-fated invasion of Russia, thus introducing Moscow to the merits of the bubbly elixir. In fact, on his visit to Jacquesson in 1810, Napoleon awarded them with a gold medal in recognition of “the beauty and richness of its cellars”. With a change in ownership in 1990, Jacquesson has continued that award-winning tradition. (Don’t we all love a winner?) With this kind of stellar reputation, consistency is key, and they’ve got it figured out -just sayin. And if it’s good enough for the Emperor, it’s good enough for us!
some champers trivia…and a challenge
When the clock ticks down at the end of this month…putting the final nail in the coffin of 2020…we will most definitely be celebrating with a bottle (or a case)! Conveniently, December 31st happens to be National Champagne Day, after all. Here are a couple of interesting facts about the sparkling elixir…. First, there are approximately 49 million bubbles in the average 750ml bottle. We will take their word for it! Second, the longest flight of a cork on record is 177 feet. Our challenge to you…see how far you can make one fly (responsibly, of course) at the stroke of midnight as you welcome what we hope and pray will be a healthy, prosperous, harmonious 2021!
Thanks to the folks at Foxcroft for the education and their extra-special hospitality. Stop by and let them show you around their collection of wines (with and without bubbles) and stay for a bite – you will not be disappointed! They sure know what they are doing. And our special message to you…we wish you all the happiest of holidays and a very happy brand-spankin’ new year!
Foxcroft Wine Co . 631 S Main Street . Greenville . 864-906-4200 . foxcroftwine.com/greenville
Happy, Happy!! Alex & Angi
the RARE belle 