28 Nov 2011 No Comments
Top 6 Champagne Tips for the New Year
If you don’t know your Bollinger from your Taittinger or are looking for some new Champagne cocktail ideas then read our top Champagne tips from our very own Master Sommelier, Stephen Wilcock of the Borrowdale Hotel.
Stephen & Dani discuss the perfect Champagne in the wine cellar at the Borrowdale Hotel
Making Champagne cocktails
The classic Champagne Cocktail is simple to make: run a sugar cube over the skin of a lemon then soak it in angostura bitters. Pop it into a flute, add a measure of brandy and top with iced Champagne.
A Jade Cocktail adds a bit of colour: Into your glass add ½ a measure of Blue Curacao ½ a measure of Midori and top with iced Champagne.
A Mimosa – so called because it resembles the colour of the Mimosa’s attractive yellow bloom. Juice of 1 passion fruit, ½ measure orange Curacao, crushed ice, topped with Champagne.
Champagne with food
Often Champagne is served as an apéritif – before a meal to stimulate the senses (or just to kick start the party!) so during a meal why not try a heavier style of Champagne like Bollinger, or Veuve Clicquot so you don’t lose the taste alongside the food.
At midnight – Celebratory Champagne
When not eating, try a lighter style like a blanc de blanc (white from white). It’s made from the Chardonnay grape rather than the Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay grapes found in heavier champagnes. Try the houses of Perrier-Jouët, Lanson, Mumm, Ruinart or Taittinger.
Did you know?
Champagne bubbles carry alcohol into the lungs so it can go straight into the blood stream, by-passing the liver. Time to get the party started!
Wine and Whisky events planned for early 2012 at the Borrowdale Hotel
Burns whisky weekend, 27-28th January
A piper welcomes you to the special Scottish dinners where the menus have been created to compliment malt whisky tasting. 2 night break from £220pp
To book a room, call 0800 840 1244
Australian wine night Friday 17th February
Learn more about wines ofAustraliaat the Mitchell’s wine dinner, features wine and food from the region of the Clare Valley, South Australia. £45pp
To book a table, call 017687 77224
And remember – drink responsibly!
