Name: The Seven Grape Wonders of Champagne
Start: 2024-11-20T18:30:00Z
End: 2024-11-20T20:30:00Z

The Seven Grape Wonders of Champagne
It’s my great pleasure to invite you to a special evening at Lanson International UK offices in Covent Garden, where Robert Rand, MD has kindly offered to host this event for us in their boardroom. (We had an amazing Lanson Magnum tasting in Dec 2023 there and it was great fun).

So please join me for an interactive and informative tasting where we learn and taste the 7 grapes of Champagne (and learn about a new one that has been planted in April 2023).

Many of you have heard me talk about the seven grape varieties that are allowed to make champagne.

The photo here show the exact Champagnes we will have on the day and are listed below. Wines for this event have been collected from Champagne to enable me to host this exclusive event for you.

What are the 7 grape varieties of Champagne?

You may be familiar with the main ones: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and (Pinot) Meunier, which are commonly use to make the Champagnes that are available for the world at large.

There are another four varieties allowed in Champagne. The "forgotten four" (also called ancient grapes) plantings were banned in 1938 due to poor yield and disease resistance. But they are making a comeback thanks to climate change and their high acidity. However, they only make up an estimated 0.3% - 0.4% of plantings in Champagne, so are very rare.

The other four are:
Arbane - Probably rarest of all with about 2.5 acres planted in all of France. These provide racy acidity as well and herbal notes.

Petit Meslier - Much more acidity and some vegetal notes, similar to Sauvignon Blanc. But very frost resistant which is great for Champagne.

Pinot Gris - Have great fruit richness and high sugar content.
Pinot Blanc - Adds floral notes and racy acidity.

What is new grape that is allowed in Champagne?

In 2023, a new disease-resistant hybrid variety, Voltis, was added to the allowed varieties in Champagne! It was planted in April 2023 by mainly small growers. It will take a several years for it to appear in our Champagnes. Also, only a maximum 10% blend will be allowed, so there will be no Champagne from 100% Voltis unlike the forgotten grapes.

In total, we will taste 8 Champagnes, with 9 bottles, starting with an aperitif of Lanson Blanc de Blancs, so

1.Champagne Lanson Blanc de Blancs 100% Chardonnay
2. Champagne Gruet Brut 100% Arbane
3. Champagne Elemart Robion 100% Petit Meslier
4. Champagne Gruet Brut 100% Pinot Blanc
5. Champagne Derot Delugny Brut 100% Pinot Gris

Break for Sushi

6. Champagne Damien-Buffet 100% Meunier
7. Henriet-Bazin 100% Pinot Noir
8. Champagne Janisson -Baradon 7 Cépages
15% Pinot Blanc, 15% Pinot Gris (aka Fromenteau), 15% Petit Meslier, 15% Arbane, 15% Pinot Noir, 13% Pinot Meunier and 12% Chardonnay

Please note that many of the Champagnes are unavailable to purchase in UK, but you can find them in Reims in specialist shops and or online.

Agenda
18:30 - Aperitif
18:45 - Tasting of 4 Blanc de Blancs Champagnes
19:45 - Sushi (thanks to Lanson)
20:05 - Tasting of Meunier, Pinot Noir and a blend of all 7 grapes.
20:30 - Carriages

This is a great opportunity to participate in a rare tasting of the forgotten/ancient grapes of Champagne.
The ticket price is £121, which includes: •
• 9 bottles of Champagne
• Transport of Champagnes
• Sushi (provided generously by Lanson)
• Organiser fees of £6 non-refundable in all cases)

To avoid extra partner fees (estimated at £5), you can make payment of £121.

IMPORTANTPLEASE CHANGE TO Friends & Family and make payment here:
https://www.paypal.me/SanjeevGupta?locale.x=en_GB

Or via bank transfer (text me for info) if nerded.

Places will be allocated on receipt of payment.

REFUND POLICY: NO REFUNDS UNLESS SOMEONE ELSE PAYS FOR A CANCELLED PLACE. You can also transfer your place directly with another guest.

WAITLIST: If this event is fully booked and you would like to attend if someone cancels, post a comment in the event to let me know that you are interested. By making payment and your RSVP, you accept the above conditions.
Cheers
Sanjeev
07776 206 840
@thebubblybloke

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We will have Sushi - no vegan, but please state any food allergies and dietary requirements.

The Seven Grape Wonders of Champagne

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