Liz Palmer Archives

Four Seasons Hotel Milano launches Champagne Bar

Four Seasons Hotel Milano has recently introduced a new destination for lovers of bubbly and beyond the “Champagne Bar”. Laid out in the Hotel’s historic courtyard garden, the stylish bar rewards guests with nose-tickling Champagnes by Pommery and hors d’oeuvres by Executive Chef Sergio Mei.

The verdant courtyard garden was originally designed in the 15th century by Italian landscape architect Paolo Pejrone and is a magical setting of tulip trees, evergreen shrubs, flowering pitosforo which is immaculately maintained.

The Champagne Bar has been created in collaboration with Pommery, the renowned Reims-based Champagne house whose partnership with Four Seasons Hotel Milano goes back several years. The Champagne list includes Champagne Pommery Apanage Brut, Champagne Pommery Cuvée Louise and Champagne Pommery Springtime Brut.

The Champagne Bar is open daily from 6:00 to 9:30 pm. No reservations required.

Liz Palmer

@Champagnehouses

Piper-Heidsieck hires UK Champagne Brand Ambassador Jean-Claude Di Lizia

Cecile Bonnefond, chief executive of Piper-Heidsieck has hired Jean-Claude Di Lizia, a dedicated UK Champagne brand ambassador to sell Piper-Heidsieck’s five champagne products in Britain.

Bonnefond, who ran Veuve Clicquot for nine years, said: “The UK is very sophisticated when it comes to champagne and the UK sets the tempo. It is a very important market for us – number two after France. We hope to grow our distribution and brand here.”

Bonnefond, who joined the French family-owned Societe Europeenne de Participations Industrielles (EPI) last year when it bought Piper-Heidsieck from spirits group Remy Cointreau, is restructuring the business and plans to take the brand more upmarket.

Bonnefond has recently launched “Black Cancan” designed by Jean-Paul Gaultier which was sold at Selfridges.

Liz Palmer

@Champagnehouses

Moët & Chandon is the official Champagne of The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA)

This week Moët & Chandon has announced they are the Official Champagne of the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA). To complement its global partnership with the ATP World Tour, the partnership will also include Moët & Chandon as the Official Champagne of the LTA’s three summer grass court events, the AEGON Championships, the AEGON Classic and the AEGON International.

Jo Thornton, Managing Director Moët Hennessy UK said: “Showcasing success is one of Moët & Chandon’s original values, and one which clearly resonates with the AEGON Championships at The Queen’s Club. The Queen’s Club has a grand tradition of sportsmanship, incredible athleticism and a glamorous social scene. The intimacy of the tournament provides a rare closeness to the action on court, making spectators a real part of the excitement and celebration of victory, and the perfect match to Moët & Chandon’s heritage of sharing success and glamour with all.”

Specially designed Moët & Chandon bottles will be awarded to winners during the presentation ceremony.

LTA Head of Commercial Lawrence Robertson added: “We are delighted to welcome Moët & Chandon to the LTA’s family of sponsors. As a brand which is synonymous with celebration and style, we look forward to them bringing their own unique sense of both to each of our major grass court events in the coming summer.”

Liz Palmer
champagnehouses

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Moët & Chandon Diamond Jubilee Cuvee

Moët & Chandon is toasting their relationship with the Queen by producing an exclusive “Diamond Jubilee Cuvee”.

Moët & Chandon has held the Royal Warrant since 1893 during the Queen Victoria period. This recognition was reaffirmed in 1955 when Moët & Chandon was granted the Royal Warrant by HM Queen Elizabeth II, which has been maintained over the last fifty-seven years.

Moët & Chandon has created exclusive cuvees for both the Silver and Golden Jubilee celebrations. On this occasion, the Royal Household has given approval for the bottles to be sold. Diamond Jubilee bottles of Moët & Chandon Impérial will be available to purchase at Waitrose, Fortnum & Mason, Selfridges, Harvey Nichols, Harrods and Berry Brothers & Rudd.

Jo Thornton, Managing Director of Moët Hennessy UK said, “Moët & Chandon is honoured to toast HM Queen Elizabeth’s remarkable reign with exclusive labels to commemorate and celebrate the Diamond Jubilee”.

Moët & Chandon Royal Warrant history:

1893 Queen Victoria

1906 King Edward VII

1931 King George V

1947 King George VI

1955 Queen Elizabeth II

Champagne Jacquart lines up acquisitions

Champagne Jacquart is eyeing acquisitions as it seeks to become a bigger international player.

Jacquart is looking for possible buys in the Champagne region and expects opportunities to come its way in the next couple of years.

“There’s a consolidation process going on in Champagne,” Jacquart’s MD, Laurent Reintau, told Harpers at the London International Wine Fair last week. “We want to be prepared for that,” he said.

The group and its parent arm, the Champagne Alliance cooperative, have already shown their desire to expand, having acquired Montaudon Champagne from Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton in 2010. Jacquart is looking to require more vineyards and stock as it seeks to expand into US and Asia.

While the UK and Germany remain the firm’s key export markets, volume sales of its Champagne to Japan are up 35% year-to-date, according to Reinteau. “Asia is becoming significant and is seeing significant growth,” he said, adding that Jacquart is also making inroads in the “magic triangle” of Shanghai, Singapore and Hong Kong.

However, Reinteau said that the company will not be rushed into expansion. “We know it will take time.” In 2011, Jacquart sold 3m bottles of Champagne, of which 55% was exported.

Reinteau said that, alongside emerging markets, he is pleased with his firm’s efforts to expand distribution in high-end bars and independent retailers in the UK over the past year. Distribution and premium positioning are key in the UK, he said. “The UK is still a major market for Champagne, but we can’t expect big growth.”

Source: Harpers