Effervescent luxury: champagne on ten tracks

Result of double fermentation of grapes Chardonnay, Pinot Noir o Pinot Meunier, sometimes coming from different vintages and vineyards, the champagne is a fancy wine practically since he was born. They say that in the eighteenth century its bubbles had already become essential in any event of the nobility that prized itself.

Today Summum we have proposed to leave you some clues about how to recognize and enjoy of some of the great champagnes in the world. Both in a traditional way, as well as in a more modern, casual and original way.

The words of champagne

To begin with, champagne is only made in the regions of Montagne de Reims, Vallée de la Marne, Côte des Blancs and Côte de Sézanne and finally Côte des Bar, which together form the designation of origin Champagne.

Mastering the art of mixing – grape varieties, vineyards and vintages – is essential in the world of champagne. However, some of the great jewels boast one or more of the following terms: be made with a single type of grape (the blanc de blancs exclusively with Chardonnay, the blanc de noirs with Pinot, noir and / or meunier), that these grapes come from a single payment (from the clos, the delimited vineyards, come some of the most exclusive champagnes) and from a single vintage (millésimé, referring to the term “Vintage” exceptional vintages).

A good example is the Clos d’Ambonnay de Krug, with a production of just two thousand bottles and prices that are around the 3.000 euros a bottle.

Magnum, Jeroboam, Mathusalem: the sizes of luxury

El champagne is not always (or perhaps almost never?) a discreet luxury. Some go so far as to affirm that in the world of champagne, size is rather relevant. It is not only a question of price, because the greater the capacity of the bottle, the less air corresponds to the liquid. Something that would make its nuances more intense and perceptible.

El standard size is the 0,75 l, the Magnum refers to a 1,5 l bottle and the Jeroboam to a 3 l. But there are also less common formats with the most evocative and aristocratic names, such as Rehoboam (4,5 l), Methuselah (6 l) o Salmanazar (9 l). Luxury in maxi format.

Louis Roederer Brut Premier: this is the best champagne in the world

Composed of 40% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Meunier from six different years, the Louis Roederer Brut Premier, a classic of the house, has recently been chosen the Best champagne in the world 2018 at The Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships awards. The Magnum format costs 116 euros.

Another recent challenge for the house is also worth noting: last summer the Cristal Rosé 2002 it became the first champagne to score 100 points on the mighty Parker list, thus breaking a kind of curse. A bottle of this champagne that makes history touches the 900 euros.

Cakes & Bubbles: Albert Adrià’s proposal in central London

It is the first project of Albert Adrià dedicated exclusively to sweet cooking. Cakes & Bubbles It is a very exclusive space located in the Hotel Café Royal, between London’s Mayfair and Soho neighborhoods.

Its offer is focused on the Catalan chef’s sweet creations, some of them already mythical such as the Tickets cheese cake, and, of course, on sparkling wines. Sweet bites, reinterpreted classics, fruit-based elaborations here found in champagne is the best pairing (although the offer also extends to sparkling wines of various origins and sweet wines). The most expensive drink? A bottle of Louis Roederer Cristal Rosé from 2007. 650 pounds (about 730 euros).

La vie en rose: the era of rosé champagnes

Obtained by maceration of black grapes or by assembling white and red wines from Champagne denomination, rosé champagnes have starred in one of the liveliest foodie trends in recent years.

Except for the exception in the world of wine, this type of sparkling wine that varies in tone, flavor and nuance from bottle to bottle also deserves some clues. From raspberry color, notes of red fruits and “dressed” with a metallic mesh, the Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé Constellation It is a limited edition rosé designed for lovers of both this “color” of champagne and of fashion and elegance. It can be purchased for 90 euros.

Louis Roederer 2010 Brut Rosé, made up of 65% Pinot Noir grapes and 35% Chardonnay in Magnum format, has won the gold medal at The Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships, officially becoming the best champagne rosé in the world. Its price, 158 euros.

The Pâtissier: nougat and champagne pop-up a few steps from Serrano street

The TOP pastry chef Ricardo Ruiz Velez reopens the doors of its space on Columela street, in the Madrid neighborhood of Salamanca, for its new pop-up project: Nougat and Champagne.

Pistachio, stracciatella yuzu, meringue cream, Piedmont hazelnut and wafer, Pecan nuts, toasted egg yolk and guirlache. To this elegant range of Artisanal cut nougat, Christmas specialties are added with a twist such as yuzu yolks or polvorón with Iberian pork lard. There’s also takeaway deli and fresh tomato, mushroom, vanilla and fleur de sel and olive butters.

And the bubbles? Bertrand-Delespierre Enfant de la Montagne 1er Cru, Jean Vesselle Brut Reserve, Diebolt-Vallois Cuvée Prestige and Michel Gonet Rosé de L’Imperatrice are some of the options to accompany these delicacies. The shop will remain open until the next December 22. Forbidden to let her escape.

Cristal Jeroboam 2002: transparent luxury in limited edition

Glass It is the luxury champagne par excellence, as it was born by the will of a Tsar. Fascinated with the champagnes of Mr. Louis Roederer, Alexander II of Russia commissioned an exclusive one for the royal family.

The order was very capricious, since the bottle had to show two characteristics very rare in champagne: it had to be made of transparent glass and have a flat bottom instead of a concave one. The reason? The Tsar wanted to be sure that there was no threat to his life hidden in it.

Glass It is made only in the years of exceptional harvests, with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes. The 2008 one, which was launched recently in Spain, costs 218 euros. The limited edition of Jeroboam Crystal 2002, designed by Frenchman Phillippe Di Méo and encased in 24-karat gold mesh, it sells for about 20.000 euros.

Zalacaín: with light and with bubbles

Zalacain It reaches its 45 years premiering a new stage and a new face. Under the command of Julio Miralles in the kitchen and Carmen Gonzalez As the director of operations, this legendary restaurant balances tradition and innovation.

If the great classics such as the Beef sirloin steak tartare with sufflés potatoes or the “Zalacaín” Croquettes coexist with new dishes such as blue lobster, seafood butter and miso with black pepper, its cellar shines with some great champagnes. Among them, as Gómez highlights, the Dom Perignon Vintage 2009, Laurent-Perrier Alexandra Rosé 2004, the Belle Epoque Blanc de Blancs 2004 and Bollinger R.D. 2004 (For fans of the seventh art, it is the favorite of James Bond).

Some bottles are in a beautiful glass cellar, enhanced by a beautiful play of light.

Strawberries and champagne: a pairing of cinema, in jam format

Tiptree is a small town in the county of Essex, England, where the emblazoned Wilkin family has been making gourmet jams since 1885. Their Lemon Curd (made with lemon juice, sugar and butter) and its strawberry jam Little Scarlet, made with the homonymous variety of strawberry TOP are a real vice.

To celebrate breakfast in style, this brand of fruit preserves offers a legendary mix, that of strawberries and champagne. Its price is around 7 euros.

Bar Grand Siècle: oysters and champagne in the most exclusive Madrid

One of the Luxury hotels most emblematic of the capital. One of the best champagne brands in the world. A glass of a great champagne accompanied by a very exclusive bite. They are the ingredients of the Bar Grand Siècle, the Christmas proposal led by the house Laurent-Perrier and Hotel Wellington.

Until next January 15 those who wish can enjoy it at the English Bar, renamed for the occasion Grand Siècle Bar, of a luxury pairing that never goes out of style: oysters and champagne. An oyster and a glass of Laurent-Perrier Grand Siècle they have a price of 35 euros. For six oysters and a bottle of the same champagne the price is 130 euros.