Last Thursday I was guiding a group of Australian and New Zealand guests for a day visiting some of the smaller champagne makers that are not easy to find and boy; did we strike lucky.
It was just one of those marvellous occasions when wonderful things happen and it turned into one of the most memorable tastings I’ve ever had.
You just can’t plan for these things. Of course, I always choose to visit people who I know are interesting and who make great champagne but sometimes, for no apparent reason, there’s just a little extra spark that turns the interesting into the unforgettable and that’s just what we had the good fortune to enjoy at Champagne Roger Brun in Ay
I already knew that Philippe Brun is a larger than life character: he’s a former rugby player and built that way; very French, very ebullient, a good English speaker and great fun. He often wears a beret and loves to play the part of the quintessential Frenchman.
The tasting started off like any other: just a few glasses and a couple of non vintage champagnes which were pleasant without being outstanding. Then Philippe warmed to his audience who I have to say, knew quite a bit already about wine and agriculture, so they were talking Philippe’s language. To say they got on like a house on fire would be an understatement.
Out came the glasses and out came the champagne. There must have been about 7 in total, although I lost count somewhere along the line. (I wonder why).
Philippe served us his Cuvée Des Sires 2006 and to crown it all we were treated to the Réserve Familiale 2000 Blanc de Noirs Grand Cru, not to mention two of his many rosé champagnes which come in a variety of style differentiated by their dosage and by the length of maceration.
To call this tasting a privilege would be an understatement. It was an experience that no one who was lucky enough to be there will forget in a long time.
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Stay Bubbly
Jiles