Find “The Oasis” a pop-up Champagne bar on Aspen Mountain

The Little Nell, a ski-in, ski-out five-star, five diamond hotel at the base of Aspen Mountain, has launched “The Oasis” on Aspen Mountain complete with a Veuve Clicquot Pop-up Champagne bar this winter season.

As part of Veuve Clicquot’s annual celebration of winter “Clicquot in the Snow”, The Oasis guests receive après ski flutes of Champagne and spectacular views of Aspen Mountain. The bar features umbrellas, lounge chairs, solar-powered sound system, flags and other features that will make The Oasis stand out in the snow. But there is one thing – the guests have to find the secret location!

“Guests will receive clues to find the secret location of the mobile champagne bar on Aspen Mountain,” explained Little Nell Food and Beverage Director Sabato Sagaria. “Those that find the mobile shrine will be rewarded with magnificent views of the town of Aspen and the surrounding area, made even more beautiful with a glass of snow-chilled Champagne.”

Liz Palmer
@champagnehouses

Hilton Maldives Launches Maldives First Champagne Lounge, The Bubble Lounge

The Five star luxury resort, Hilton Maldives Iru Fushi has recently launched the first Champagne bar in the Maldives.

The aptly titled, “Bubble Lounge” will complete the resorts outstanding range of innovative food and beverage offerings. The Bubble Lounge will be located next to the Wine Cellar and Flavours Restaurant hosting up to 14 guests outside and a further six inside.

The Bubble Lounge will stock over 50 Champagne brands by the bottle and over ten Champagne brands by the glass. The extensive Champagne list will include Grande Marque, growers and limited edition vintages. Guests can choose from the “Champagne List” on an Apple iPad.

“The Maldives is synonymous with celebrations, and what better way to celebrate than in the first, and only dedicated Champagne bar in the region. The new concept will represent sophistication within an inspiring, over water venue and with our expert knowledge, we are able to deliver an exceptional service and product, offering even the most exceptional Champagnes by the glass,” said General Manager Jean Sebastien Kling.

For more information visit www.MaldivesIruFushi.hilton.com

Liz Palmer
@champagnehouses

New Release: 2003 Dom Pérignon

The 2002 has been widely acclaimed as one of the best. A few weeks ago Chef de Cave Richard Geoffroy decided to release a wine from 2003, a year when Champagne was hit by frost, hail, and an August heat wave – it seems to be a bit of a risk.

“We shouldn’t be afraid of hot years,” says Mr. Geoffroy. “We have to react to the condition of the year; there were some slight technical challenges but I’m very proud of this vintage.”

The 2003 vintage was made from grapes grown in the hottest summer in Champagne in 53 years. The vintage has slightly more Pinot Noir (60%) in the blend, with 40% Chardonnay. Although a powerful wine with plenty of fruit, it retains Dom Pérignon’s trademark finesse.

This vintage has character, but remains quintessentially Dom Pérignon with a round, rhythmical finish that dances delicately between mineral and floral flavors. To the skilled Chef de Cave, the 2003 is an intense memory and Richard Geoffroy beautifully captures this by saying, “I wish every single vintage could be as strong as 2003.”

DOM PÉRIGNON
Moët & Chandon, Épernay, Champagne, France
Vintage: 2003
Alcohol: 12.5%
Price: £100 or €120 (est)

Champagne Bar Launch: Archer Street – Billecart-Salmon Champagne Bar, London

Archer Street is the first exclusive “Billecart-Salmon Champagne Bar” in London, and will be South Soho’s best-kept secret, taking on the sophisticated style of a “members-only club” and open to all those “in-the-know.”

The luxurious, laidback lounging areas are set over two floors and dotted with comfortable velvet sofas and button-back armchairs. The upstairs bar features large French windows, distressed wood paneling and plush velvet stools. The downstairs area has a playful and après ski feel with reclaimed rafter board walls, stripy cushions, quirky mirrors, and a long bar covered in antiqued steel panels. Renowned Italian restaurant, Bocca di Lupo and the soon to open Firmdale Hotel are in the neighborhood.

Archer Street promises Pop-up entertainment every evening with singing and dancing waiters and bar staff. A calendar of special themed evenings has also been created.

A monthly soiree will also be a specialty at Archer Street, where celebrities are invited to host their own evenings in the bar, giving a percentage of the proceeds to their elected charity. Each invited host can choose the theme of the evening and select the play-list of the DJ as well as take a turn behind the bar.

Archer Street – Billecart-Salmon Champagne Bar
3-4 Archer Street, W1, 020 7734 3342
www.archerstreet.co.uk

Liz Palmer
@champagnehouses

Get ready to raise your flute… Award-Winning Flûte Champagne Bar is set to open in London on December 8th


THE LOWDOWN:

Flûte was created in 1997 by founder/owner Hervé Rousseau, in a space on West 54th Street NYC. As a native Parisian, Hervé was inspired by his experience in the wine industry to combine New York’s unparalleled cocktail culture with a French attitude towards champagne, where no one waits for a special occasion to pop open a bottle of bubbly.
Flûte is most famous for their extensive list of champagnes. The London location promises to be more of the same – a place where London’s glitterati can get together and enjoy a glass or bottle of bubbly in stylish surroundings.

THE LOOK:

The London branch of Flute will follow the concept of the New York bars, featuring five private booths tailor-made for business or pleasure with their own volume and light controls.

PLAYLIST:

Music will play a key part in the Flûte Bar & Lounge offering, with a playlist created by top New York DJs Duane Harriott and Alec DeRuggiero. The venue will also present a full schedule of weekly and monthly events, including live jazz.

THE FIZZ:

Champagnes on offer will include vintage, non-vintage, prestige cuvée, rosé and boutique together with fabulous rare grower champagnes from choice vineyards. In addition, Flûte Bar & Lounge will premiere exciting new varieties such as Drappier Brut Nature Zero Dosage rosé and also serve some killer cocktails …so I’ve been told!

There will be approx.100 Champagnes by the bottle and 25 by the glass, with prices starting at £5 for a glass and £45 for a bottle – with today’s market, this is affordable!

THE FOOD:

There will be an innovative menu of light bites, spearheaded by a spring roll bar serving no less than 20 different fusion creations, an ideal accompaniment to a glass of chilled champagne.

WHO GOES: To be determined.

ADDRESS:

Flûte Bar & Lounge
4 Great Portland Street,
Soho,
London,
W1W 8PA
http://flutebar.com