Champagne is one of the most popular alcoholic beverages in the world with more than 307 million bottles of bubbly being sold in 2017.
There’s more interest in sparkling wines, with other countries enjoying the increased sales of bubbly they produce. There are now more varieties of Prosecco (Italy), Cava (Spain) and Methode Cap Classique (South Africa) and many are choosing to widen their choice of bubbles too.
As consumers become educated about the origins of their favourite bubbly, so does their palate. Long gone are the days where bubbly was only for celebratory occasions - life is worth celebrating every day, so why not pop the cork?
So what does one choose to drink on the day that the world celebrates bubbly?
We asked Moët Hennessy Champagne portfolio manager Patrick Leslie to share his selection of the best Champagnes to enjoy today.
Dom Pérignon 2009. Picture by Jean Luc Viardin.
Dom Pérignon 2009
This is the Champagne to sip under the stars. The stretch of excellent weather condition of 2009 was unprecedented and allowed Dom Pérignon to explore new frontiers of grape ripeness in Champagne. The 2009 vintage offers a taste of the ripest and richest fruit, grapes in their prime.
RRSP: R2 295
Veuve Clicquot Rich Rosé.
Veuve Clicquot Rich Rosé
This is the Champagne to toast to summer in the city and it launches today. Veuve Clicquot Rich was created expressly to combine with a selection of ingredients that bring out the Clicquologist in anyone. The signature notes of the wine are magnified by the presence of selected ingredients: ginger, pineapple, lime, tea, all on the rocks! Veuve Clicquot Rich Rosé is an exciting new way to embody the So Clicquot twist.
RRSP: R899
Moët & Chandon Nectar Impéria.
Moët & Chandon Nectar Impérial
This is the Champagne for the perfect celebration. Nectar Impérial is a delicious expression of the Moët and Chandon style, a style distinguished by its bright fruitiness, its seductive palate and its elegant maturity.
RRSP: R599
R de Ruinart.
“R” de Ruinart
This is for those seeking a unique Champagne experience A perfect Champagne for aperitifs and light starters such as poached oysters or seared scallop
RRSP: R650
Krug Grand Cuvée.
Krug Grand Cuvée
Krug Grande Cuvée is the archetype of Krug’s philosophy of craftsmanship and savoir-faire: a blend of more than 120 wines from ten or more different years. Every glass of Krug Grande Cuvée is the fruit of many years of craft and patience.
RRSP: R2 450