Champagne can be an anytime drink!

CHAMPAGNE is a wine. Despite it having been around for as long as any other wine, there is still the old mindset that it is meant to be drunk only for celebratory occasions or as an aperitif - or poured over a pyramid of champagne glasses at weddings.

The incentive to re-visit this subject came after a tasting of two cuvees from the same house, Champagne Pol Roger, a few evenings ago. The first was the "white foil" Non-Vintage as an aperitif, followed by the Brut 2000 vintage at a Chinese seafood dinner.

Pol Roger Brut Reserve NV (White Foil)

Cepage: Pinot Noir 33 per cent, Chardonnay 33 per cent, Pinot Meunier 33 per cent.

Tasting notes: good, lively bubbles, fresh, lightly fruity, citrusy and floral bouquet. Medium dry, good ripe fruit underneath with crisp acidity and mixed flavours of lime, lemons and a tinge of peaches. Very fresh, very attractive. There was an att…