By Dan Dunn
You would expect the patriarch of one of the few remaining family-owned Grande Marque Champagne houses to be a debonair chap, and Christian Pol-Roger certainly does not disappoint. Your Imbiber recently had the pleasure of meeting the venerable fifth-generation director of Champagne Pol-Roger at a press luncheon celebrating the release of Pol Roger’s 1998 vintage Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill. Christian reminded me of an old-school Bond villain, dashing without the mean streak, of course — his weapon of choice being grapes instead of guns. He was a charming host who regaled us with stories of his family’s long history in Epernay, dating back to the brand’s establishment in 1849.
Of course, Christian spoke at length of his family’s close relationship with its most famous customer. Winston Churchill named his favorite racehorse Pol Roger and proclaimed 44 Avenue de Champagne (the Pol-Roger family's home) “The world's most drinkable address.” The great British Prime Minister passed away in 1965, and the Pol Roger family would eventually pay tribute by naming their Prestige Cuvée after him. The wine is composed mostly of pinot noir and a modicum of chardonnay grapes, though the precise blend is a closely guarded secret. To read the rest click here...
By Dan Dunn
The Imbiber derives tremendous joy each holiday season from handing out presents to family and friends — lavish gifts that tend to make my loved ones happy for at least a few minutes, while at the same time ensuring I’ll remain in credit card debt for the rest of my natural life. Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus — and he takes Visa. As for the loyal readers who visit this space most Fridays throughout the year, well, I didn’t forget about the three of you, either. My gift this Christmas is the unveiling of the Imbiber’s new Official Mixologist, Niccole Trzaska. To read the rest click here...
Party Like It’s 1999!
By
Dan Dunn
It
is rumored that upon first tasting the sparkling wine
he is credited with perfecting in the
17th
century, the Benedictine monk Dom Pierre Pérignon
joyfully exclaimed “Come quickly, I am drinking the
stars!” It’s unknown whether whomever Pérignon was
calling out to turned up posthaste or not at all
(monks are notoriously tight-lipped), but the point
is great champagne isn’t merely stellar, it’s
INTERSTELLAR. Like dust from the cosmos collected in
a flute, only wetter and probably less toxic.
Your Imbiber tasted the stars NEAR the stars last
week at a luncheon in the heart of Hollywood, just a
seashell’s toss away from our lavish west coast
headquarters. Dom Pérignon’s Chef de Cave (aka, head
winemaker) Richard Geoffroy came to town to present
the just-released 1999 vintage ($150) and I must say,
all you bubbly buffs, this champagne ranks among the
best that the venerable house has ever produced. Yes,
you read that correctly — BEST EVER… so take that,
1955, 1982 and1990 vintages!
Farewell, Wine Month
