🍾🍷 À votre santé!! 🍷🍾
Today, July 14th, the French-speaking world celebrates Bastille Day with fireworks, parades and parties. The event commemorates the storming of a fortress that once held political prisoners during the first stage of the French Revolution. It is a poignant reminder of the struggles that many went through to achieve democratic freedoms from a strong-arm monarchy that repressed its people for centuries. The events of ‘Le Quatorze Juillet’ inspired revolution and created a wave of Republican governments around the globe – prophetising “liberté, égalité, fraternité” for all.
What better way to celebrate this momentous occasion than to join our French friends and countrymen in a toast befitted to its significance. In honour for la France, we select 3 of the best summer rosé wines and 3 of our all time favourite Champagnes for your July 14 celebrations!
Best rosés for revelry
Domaines Ott*
The fresh staple of Riviera beach-goers – Ott* has been synonymous with sunshine and balmy French summers since 1896. It is described by the winemaker as “aromatic with an exquisite body and mouthfeel”…”subtle signs of ageing integrate smoothly into the intensity of the fruit, with its fresh, crunchy notes, subtle salinity and perfect balance.”
Miraval
A legendary château and vineyard located in the village of Correns, just north of Brignoles, a village in the Var département in the south of France. The vineyard was once owned by Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie and has recently been acquired by the world’s largest luxury conglomerate; LVMH.
Rumours
Another celebrity-owned wine – this time by jet-set favourite DJ Guy Gerber. Rumors is classically crisp dry rosé with a beautifully light pink-tint characteristic of the famous Provençe Region in the South of France. Taste-wise it carries a “fruit blossom nose, finishing with a stony touch and the perfect amount of acidity”.
Best Champagnes to celebrate comradeship
Nicolas Feuillatte
Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte is the oldest union of producers in the champagne region; comprising of 82 winemaking cooperatives representing more than 5000 vineyards, situated on a hill in the commune of Chouilly, on the road leading to Pierry, and overlooks the community of Épernay. Its 2014 vintage is a multi-award winning ‘blanc de blanc’ champagne that tastes great and wont break the bank.
Ruinart
Ruinart is the oldest established Champagne house, exclusively producing champagne since 1729. Founded by Nicolas Ruinart in the Champagne region in the city of Reims. Today – the house is owned by LVMH and can be found in most of the world’s great hotels and restaurants.
Pol Roger
Pol Roger is one of the few houses still owned and run by the descendants of Pol Roger. Located in the town of Épernay in the Champagne region, the house annually produces around 110,000 cases of Champagne. The brand, known for its clean, floral, elegant and with a deliciously biscuity flavour counted Sir Winston Churchill as a fan (he drank two bottles a day) as well as many aristocratic families around Europe.
Remember – revolutionaries always drink responsibly
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