Krug Champagne Styles

3 Exciting Secrets of Krug Champagne

An Insider look at the House of Krug

When you purchase a specific brand of Champagne, what is the first thing that comes to mind?

Though price—and marketing–are key factors, other elements come into play.

Namely, the Champagne style.

Do you prefer a rich, sumptuous full bodied Champagne style with luxurious notes of hazelnut and baked bread?

Or do you like a sharp, vibrant Champagne style with racy acidity that pairs well with oysters?

And how would Champagne lovers without a billion-dollar trust fund even have the opportunity to understand and recognize the Champagne Style of a brand?

One way is to purchase representative bottles of the top non-vintage Champagne brands, and host a comparative tasting for your friends.

Another way is to attend an event like the La Fete Du Champagne, where a walk-around tasting gives you the opportunity to compare Champagne styles and also meet the Champagne producers.

[socialpug_tweet tweet=”Do you prefer a rich, sumptuous full bodied Champagne style with luxurious notes of hazelnut and baked bread?”]

Champagne Styles: Method of Comparison

La Fete Du Champagne remains the most enjoyable and cost-effective way to understand Champagne styles.

This week-long festival, co-founded by Daniel Johnnes, is based on his American “La Paulée” event. (Click here for the Forbes.com article showcasing La Paulée).

[socialpug_tweet tweet=”La Fete Du Champagne remains the most enjoyable and cost-effective way to understand Champagne styles.”] 

Click here for Wine Discovery Resources

Walk Around Champagne Styles Tastings

 

Both popular wine festivals offer a week of exciting programing involving “walk-around” tastings of wines, wine seminars, wine dinners, lunches, and more.

So in a normal year, a La Fete du Champagne guest can taste the Champagne styles of hundreds of producers and compare them.

Seminars include focused talks on subjects that include the tradition of Champagne, new winemaking techniques, and wine and food pairing.

Daniel Johnnes and Champagne styles expert Peter Liem built the La Fete du Champagne around the high quality Champagne producers invited to attend.

Michelin rated chefs provided delicious food to accompany the different Champagne styles. Champagne was poured into Zalto glasses, considered by the organizers to be the best for tasting Champagne.

In 2020, the La Fete du Champagne festival went virtual, bringing the seminars and luxury Champagne tasting experience into your home.

[socialpug_tweet tweet=”Michelin rated chefs provided delicious food to accompany the different Champagne styles. “]

Krug Champagne Styles Virtual Tasting

Click here for Wine Discovery Resources

In 2020, guests did not taste and compare different Champagne styles as they would in the traditional ballroom “Grand Tasting.”

Instead, they purchased tickets and tasting packages to attend a specific virtual tasting seminar from a favorite producer.

The Krug Champagne Virtual Tasting

Krug Champagne stands out as one of the best choices of seminars.

What attracted me to this virtual tasting is the fine Krug reputation.

A key attraction for the virtual Krug presentation is that Olivier Krug would discuss his Champagnes and the family history.

An added benefit would be that Chef Arnaud Lallement, owner of 3-star Michelin restaurant Assiette Champenoise would stand by him to discuss food pairings.

[socialpug_tweet tweet=”A key attraction for the virtual Krug presentation is that Olivier Krug would discuss his Champagnes and the family history.”]

 

History of Krug Champagne

Every Champagne brand and champagne style is distinctive in its own way.

German-born Joseph Krug founded this Champagne House in 1843. He had a gifted eye for the best vineyard land and a passion for making the best Champagne from grapes grown on this prized terroir.

“Krug was the first Champagne house in which every cuvée is designed to be of equal quality and distinction,” says Olivier Krug in the live virtual presentation.

“My great-great-grandfather wanted to provide clients with pleasurable Champagne experience possible every year, regardless of climate. He believed one must have superior materials to make superior Champagne. He used only the finest materials, grapes, and techniques for his wines.”

Champagne Styles: Joseph Krug’s “Magic” Red Leather Notebook

To reinforce the importance of Joseph Krug recognizing superior vineyards, Oliver Krug showed guests a picture of an ancient red leather notebook.

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To reinforce the importance of Joseph Krug recognizing superior vineyards, Oliver Krug showed guests a picture of an ancient red leather notebook.

“Joseph Krug carried this notebook with him, recording notes about the vineyards and the grapes each tiny plot could produce. We recently found it. We now display it at the Krug headquarters in Reims.”

The Offices of La Fete Du Champagne Co-Founder Daniel Johnnes

In normal times during La Fete du Champagne event, I would sit in an elegant ballroom with other Champagne lovers to attend a seminar.

But this year it is all virtual.

Guests who bought the Krug Champagne package sit at home, their Champagne opened and glasses poured, waiting for the presentation to begin via Zoom at a designated hour.

Though the presentation is live, guests also receive a recording so they can “attend” at their leisure.

I live in New York City, so I opted to visit the offices of Daniel Johnnes and taste the wines in a private room.

The room has a large screen showing the Zoom Krug presentation.

The presentation begins as Mr. Johnnes introduces Olivier Krug, Chef Arnaud Lallement, and Mr. Lallement’s 20-year-old son, Brice.

At the same time, the Champagne is poured for the tasting.

KRUG CUVEE 168TH EDITION
KRUG CLOS DU MESNIL 2006
KRUG MILLESIME 2006
KRUG CUVEE 162TH EDITION

 

On screen, Mr. Krug speaks.

“The Krug Moment should always be about pleasure. What happens each year to make a single bottle of Krug Grande Cuvée is unlike anything else that happens in the world of Champagne.”

The Grand Cuvée

The flagship Grande Cuvée is a blend of over 120 types of wine made each year from different plots of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier.

Both the Krug Grande Cuvée 162TH and 168th Edition are made in the same way. First Krug separates all base wines according to vineyard plots. Once tasted, the cellar master makes notes on these base wines that will determine the final blend.

These two Krug Grande Cuvée wines share similar Champagne styles. The characteristics include a light gold color, fast tiny bubbles, and aromas of flowers, citrus, marzipan, ginger, hazelnut and almonds.

The finish is long and persistent. Of course, the older wine shows more depth of flavor and richness from extended lees aging.

Krug Champagne Styles: Grand Cuvee Edition Number

As Mr. Krug discussed each wine, he also mentions that since 2011, a six-digit code is issued on the back label of every bottle of Krug “Grande Cuvée.” Enter this Krug ID on Krug’s website and discover which vintages, grapes, and vineyard plots were used to make that specific blend.

Click here for Wine Discovery Resources

Krug Clos du Mesnil 2006

The Krug Clos du Mesnil 2006 is a vintage wine, also based only on the Chardonnay grape. Mr. Krug compares this Champagne style to that of a solo performer in an orchestra, as it is all one grape (Chardonnay) and one vineyard plot.

Krug Millesime 2006

This is a blend of Chardonnay and the Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, produced in a single vintage year.

Champagne Styles: Pairing with Food

With each introduction of a Champagne, Chef Lallement introduced a new food pairing.

Guests vicariously enjoyed his finished presentations featuring tempting looking scallop and lobster dishes. As is typical of French chefs, Mr. Lallement paired the Champagnes to the sauce of the dish, rather than the principle protein (a la scallops, lobster, or salmon). You can read more exciting ideas on how to pair Champagne with cuisine here 

It would have been interesting to see Chef Lallement produce these dishes in the kitchen, but we will have to wait to visit his restaurant in Champagne—or hope for a Youtube video.

Kudos to Mr. Johnnes and Mr. Liem and all the producers involved for making La Fete du Champagne happen this year – if only virtually.

Marisa DVari

Marisa D'Vari, DipWSET is founder and publisher of TheLuxuryReport.com. She recently obtained her OIV MSc diploma in Wine Business Management and contributes to Forbes.com, Financial Times, World of Fine Wine, Quarterly Review of Wine, Decanter Robb Report, San Francisco Chronicle, South China Morning Post , and more. She holds the (WSET) diploma, Certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers, a Certified Wine Educator through the Society of Wine Educators ... to see it all, please click on bio

The post 3 Exciting Secrets of Krug Champagne Styles appeared first on The Luxury Report.

Etérea Mezcal & Tequila Cocktail Bar Opening

Exciting to celebrate several fun events in one night – the opening of Etére. This is a new tequila and mezcal cocktail bar with indoor and outdoor seating.

Etérea is led by the award-winning Amor y Amargo’s Master Mixologist Sother Teague. It serves plant-based Mexican fare by Executive Chef Xila Caudillo, a vegan chef. 

Etérea Coctelería y Cocina is part of Overthrow Hospitality. This is a mission-driven, plant-based restaurant and bar group by Ravi DeRossi.

This Mezcal & Tequila cocktail bar’s name means “ethereal” in Spanish. At the helm is Master Mixologist Sother Teague. Teague also helms Amor y Amargo, an award-winning bar that pushes the envelope on bitters-focused, spirit-forward cocktails, now celebrating its 10th anniversary.

Robert Simonson Author, author Mezcal and Tequila

Interior

Overseeing the kitchen is Chef Xila, whogrew up in a proud Mexican-American family in Southern California.

In her small plates, she reinterprets the cuisines she grew up with. This includes Mexican and Tex-Mex. Her flavors are bold and salute many of Mexico’s regional cuisines, including Oaxacan.

Chef Xila’s dishes were developed to complement Teague’s tequila and mezcal cocktails, as well as when sipping these noble spirits neat, with many designed to be casually eaten by hand.

 “Many of my recipes rework dishes that I have enjoyed throughout my life, starting with growing up in Southern California,” says Caudillo. “My Aciento Taco reimagines a dish traditionally made with fried pork rinds and my Corn Rib Elote salutes this classic Mexican street food of corn on the cob.

Mexican cuisine is the second most popular ethnic food in the U.S., so offering my version of it helps make plant-based accessible and appealing to mainstream diners, in addition to vegans.”

Etérea Tequila Cocktail Bar: Sother Teague and Robert Stevenson

It was a fabulous evening of mezcal and tequila based cocktails and fresh Mexican cuisine. 

If you like this piece, check out two days in Argentina

Marisa DVari

Marisa D'Vari, DipWSET is founder and publisher of TheLuxuryReport.com. She recently obtained her OIV MSc diploma in Wine Business Management and contributes to Forbes.com, Financial Times, World of Fine Wine, Quarterly Review of Wine, Decanter Robb Report, San Francisco Chronicle, South China Morning Post , and more. She holds the (WSET) diploma, Certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers, a Certified Wine Educator through the Society of Wine Educators ... to see it all, please click on bio

The post Etérea Tequila & Mezcal Cocktail Bar appeared first on The Luxury Report.

Excited to say I just returned from the immersive Van Gogh Exhibit in Manhattan!

I became obsessed with seeing it ever since viewing the episode of “Emily in Paris” in which it was featured.

What is the exhibition like? A movie? A museum exhibit?

I’ll venture to say that it’s more like going to a theater than a museum.

Taking this a step further, it is more a cross between seeing a movie in a theater and watching a play or other stage event.

It’s a “film” in the sense that animated images of Van Gogh’s art constantly move across the walls.

Yet it is “theater” in that other participants entering the room become “actors” in the overall experience.

Van Gogh NYC: Starting from the Top

Van Gogh NYC: Brief History

In 2017, patrons and guests at Manhattan’s Museum of Modern Art snapped selfies of themselves against van Gogh’s famous painting, “The Starry Night.”

I was present at this opening night exhibition. And I felt the excitement of being an inch away from this famous work. Yet in the end it was a “museum visit” like many others.

The immersive van Gogh experience is much different.

And the key difference is that you–and everyone else in the room(s) are a participant in the experience, not just an observer.

The first line in Wikipedia says it all …  van Gogh was a Dutch post-impressionist painter who posthumously became one of the most influential figures in the history of Western art. In a decade, he created more than 2,100 artworks.

Even people who never studied art in high school or college, can recognize a van Gogh painting by the vivid colors and lurid exaggeration of commonplace people, places, and things.

Yet even having an encyclopedic knowledge of van Gogh’s work has no bearing on how much you will enjoy the experience.

Van Gogh NYC Tickets

Many people, even those who never studied art in high school or college, can recognize a van Gogh painting by the vivid colors and lurid exaggeration of commonplace people, places, and things.

Yet even having an encyclopedic knowledge of van Gogh’s work has no bearing on how much you will enjoy the experience.

Van Gogh NYC: Tickets

The first step on your van Gogh journey is getting the tickets. You can find the various options here. 

I chose the “flex” plan, which would allow a guest to arrive two hours before and even two hours after a chosen time.

The tier above the “flex” plan is VIP.

VIP participants have their own private entrance (so you escape the crowds). VIP patrons also receive a large plastic yellow sunflower, a van Gogh themed seat cushion, a more personal welcome, and some other small goodies.

As holders of the “flex” ticket we arrived 90 minutes early and ventured inside.

Upon entering the first room, we could see patrons sitting crossed legged on the floor, immersed in the van Goh images dancing on the walls.  

We moved on to the second room, larger than the first, where many people had chairs.

Then ultimately, we ventured forth to the main room where people sat on the floor, on folding chairs, or on benches.

We eventually found a bench and remained watching the interactive experience again and again as it replayed.

Each replay seemed fresh because of new people entering the room. These new configurations created artistic dynamics of their own.

 

Van Gogh NYC: How to Prepare

Van Gogh’s sunny landscapes, night scenes, portraits and still-life paintings are paired with music. Works include Les Mangeurs de pomme de terre (The Potato Eaters, 1885), La Nuit étoilée (Starry Night, 1889), Les Tournesols (Sunflowers, 1888), and La Chambre à coucher (The Bedroom, 1889).

Technical details (audio, visual) are state-of-the-art perfect.

Van Gogh NYC: When the Show Ends

Departing the space, guests can see costumes of the period on mannequins.  

The gift shop features all the beautiful souvenirs you’d expect: plates, casual adornments, stuffed animals.

And within the gift shop area you will also find a café serving tea, coffee, pastry, and other light snacks.

 

Van Gogh NYC: Useful Information

What to wear?!

Casual attire is the norm.  

That said, the van Gogh interactive exhibition provides the “photo op” of a lifetime.

Almost everyone had their friend/family take pictures of them against the gorgeous colors of the exhibit. So dress up for the photo opportunity.

What to Bring

Top Priority: cameras, devices with cameras, and batteries to charge your phone.

I brought both my iPhone and my Pixel Google phone.

Note that you will not be allowed to use a flash, so the “Night Sight” lens on my G phone came in handy.

Transportation

The van Gogh exhibition, less than a half-hour from midtown.

Getting there is the simple part via a taxi.

On the return, consider booking an Uber or Lyft in advance.  

Basic Info

Pier 36 New York (299 South Street, New York, NY 10002) 
Click on van Gogh NYC for more info

Like this article?
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Marisa DVari

Marisa D'Vari, DipWSET is founder and publisher of TheLuxuryReport.com. She recently obtained her OIV MSc diploma in Wine Business Management and contributes to Forbes.com, Financial Times, World of Fine Wine, Quarterly Review of Wine, Decanter Robb Report, San Francisco Chronicle, South China Morning Post , and more. She holds the (WSET) diploma, Certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers, a Certified Wine Educator through the Society of Wine Educators ... to see it all, please click on bio

The post Van Gogh NYC appeared first on The Luxury Report.

The Guide to Bordeaux is coming soon! Until then, please enjoy these Bordeaux stories ….

Chateau Coutet

Intrerview with Aline Baly Chateaux Coutet

Golden Bordeaux

2017 Vintage En Primeur

Interview with Veronique Sanders, Haut Bailly

Speaking with Adrien Bernard of Domaine de Chevalier

The post Guide to Bordeaux France appeared first on The Luxury Report.

Welcome to your guide to the French Riviera.

St Tropez, Nice, Villefranche-Sur-Mer, Marseille … all these glittering cities are at your fingertips.

The South of France is the best place to enjoy the gorgeous weather and good times.

If you base yourself in the beautiful city of Nice, you are a short train ride from Antibes and Cannes to your right, and Monte Carlo and Monaco to her left.

I’ve spent my summers in the South of France for the last decade.

Your guide to the French Riviera includes my favorite cities.

Centrally based in Villefranche-Sur-Mer, I spent my weekday in that charming fishing village …

… but my weekends at glitzy resorts like St. Tropez and Cap d’Antibes in the French Riviera.

In this article, I’ll give you an overview of my favorite cities as well as the best hotels, the best restaurants, and the most fun thing to do in each.

Nice in the French Riviera

Nice is considered the “gateway city” to the South of France.

You will find much to see and do.

During the summer, Nice is home to an annual jazz festival, as well as several other exciting events.

Nice is also home to one of the most glamorous and opulent hotels in the world, Le Negresco

This jewel case of a hotel is a destination of its own.

And just 20 minutes from Nice is the delightful village of Villefrance-Sur-Mer

St. Tropez in the French Riviera

I spend a few weekends every year in St. Tropez, city of the best beach clubs in the world.

Your guide to the French Riviera includes this magical city.

You can find a wide variety of hotels in St. Tropez, but my favorite is the classic “jet set” hotel Byblos

What makes Byblos so special?

A lot of people think it is due to the way Bridget Bardot turned this small fishing village into a glamorous hot spot when she shot a film here.

Yet this once classic village was actually a famous weekend escape for fashionable Parisians in the 1920s.

The famous sensualist writer Collette, for example, used to spend her weekends here with her third husband Maurice Goudeket.

What Collette liked about St. Tropez was that she could get away from the crowds of Paris and just relax in her simple cottage in the woods.

Today the scene is quite different.

In the port, you will find the largest yachts you have seen, without many owners in site.

Instead, you will have a glimpse into the (possibly) glamorous life of the yacht crew…

Marseille, France

And then you can discover Marseille France in the French Riviera

Marseille is a beautiful region.

My favorite hotel is Hotel Dieu Marseille

You will find many things to see and do in Marseille!

Here is a link to my favorite things!

The post Guide to the French Riviera appeared first on The Luxury Report.

Your guide to the Napa Valley is coming!

For now, please enjoy these Napa Valley articles

Hotel Review: Archer Napa Valley

Frog’s Leap Winery

Kendall-Jackson Winery

Barrel Blending at Conn Creek

Visiting the Hess Collection

Visiting Chappellet in the Napa Valley

Visiting Clos Pegase

Visiting Quintessa

Visiting Maxfield Winery

Visiting Gamble Family Vineyards

The post Guide to The Napa Valley appeared first on The Luxury Report.