Macy’s + Shoes + Champagne …. Macy’s Shoe Department gets a Champagne Bar

In the midst of an extensive $400 million overhaul of its Herald Square flagship, Macy’s may hit the perfect trifecta for shoe-obsessed New Yorkers: When it completes its second floor shoe department, it won’t just have 300,000 pairs of shoes, but a well-stocked Champagne bar, chocolate and coffee bar.

Currently, women’s shoes are sold on two separate floors, but the new space will create “The World’s Largest Shoe Floor,” the store says, with 39,000 square feet of selling space, and 24,000 square feet devoted to stockrooms. Brands such as Calvin Klein, Coach and Michael Kors will have their own shops, and “curated shoe closets inspired by New York City’s trendiest neighborhoods.” The remodeled area is scheduled to open in fall 2012.

Liz Palmer
@champagnehouses

Champagne 2011 exports reached their second highest volume in 5 years

Champagne exports 2011 reached their second highest volume in five years – with sales close to the peak of 2007. Exports in 2011 were up by 5.1%, rising to a total of 141.2m bottles, the second largest volume ever achieved behind 2007 and only 9.5m bottles less than this peak, according to the latest statistics just released by Champagne’s governing body CIVC.

However because of a slight downturn in domestic sales in France, where the market weakened towards the end of the year, total sales figures rose by just over 1%, to 322.97m bottles.

The best performers in emerging markets were Russia (up 24.5%), China (up 19.4%), and Hong Kong (up 15.1%) – the rate of growth slowed in the second half of 2011; these three markets between them account for 4.1m bottles.

Top performer in emerging markets was India at 58.7% – total shipments to this market reached 290,286 bottles.

Shipments to Belgium and Germany both rose by 8.5% – the best results achieved within Europe.

Shipments to the USA recovered well, rising by 14.4% to 19.4m bottles – still short of the historic peak of 23.2m bottles in 2006.

Shipments to Australia rose to 4.86m bottles.

Michel Letter, head of G.H. Mumm and Perrier-Jouët, said, ‘2011 was the third best year ever after 1999 and 2007 with total shipments reaching 323m bottles, not bad considering the worldwide economic situation.’

Liz Palmer
@champagnehouses

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

Academy Awards: The “Moet Red Carpet Glamour” is unveiled as the exclusive Champagne cocktail for the Governors Ball

Moet & Chandon, the Champagne of success and glamour since 1743, announces the winner of the inaugural Moet Oscar Cocktail Contest. The legendary Champagne House congratulates Chicago native Adam Seger, whose “Moet Red Carpet Glamour” cocktail dazzled a panel of expert judges and social media experts. The Moet Red Carpet Glamour cocktail was selected for its originality, taste and popularity and will be brought to life at the 2012 Governors Ball, the after-party of the 84th Academy Awards®.

The Moet Red Carpet Glamour captures the essence of Hollywood glamour with exquisite notes of heady cardamom and kaffir lime that develop a refreshing and harmonious taste. This winning cocktail was chosen for its combination of the Hum® botanical spirit with Moet & Chandon Imperial, which highlights the flavor profile of Champagne while truly celebrating the elegance of the Academy Awards.

“The Moet Red Carpet Glamour cocktail will be a gorgeous addition to this year’s Governors Ball,” said Aida Mollenkamp, Moet & Chandon’s Award Season home entertaining expert. “The cocktail is intriguing and innovative yet still allows the flavor of the Moet & Chandon Imperial Champagne to shine.”

Aida Mollenkamp has joined Moet & Chandon as this year’s home entertaining expert in a new Oscar season collaboration. The acclaimed chef and culinary curator, known for her signature combinations of fresh, seasonal ingredients and use of ethnic flavours.

Moet Red Carpet Glamour Cocktail Recipe:

• Fill a chilled Champagne flute 1/2 way with ice.
• Stir 1 ounce of fresh squeezed Sour Mix and Hum® Botanical Spirit with fresh ice.
• Strain into flute to fill 1/2 way.
• Top with Moet & Chandon Imperial.
• Garnish with a single rose petal.
• Continually refresh as you wish with Moet & Chandon Imperial as the Champagne will float on top of the Hum Sour, but its effervescence will deliver Hum’s heady cardamom & Kaffir lime notes.
• Fresh Squeeze Sour Mix Preparation: Combine 1 cup sugar with 1 cup water until sugar is completely dissolved. Add 1 cup fresh lime juice and 1 cup fresh lemon juice and refrigerate.

As winner of the 2012 Moet Oscar Cocktail Contest, Adam Seger and a guest will receive an exciting behind-the-scenes Oscar weekend, including a three-night stay at the JW Marriott Los Angeles LA Live, round-trip airfare on United Airlines, car service, tickets to the Governors Ball Preview Event, red carpet bleacher seats at the Fan Experience Red Carpet Arrival and Viewing Party on Oscar Sunday and access to the official Oscar viewing party at El Capitan.

Liz Palmer
@champagnehouses

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with Limited Edition Armand de Brignac Champagne Truffles – Created by the Chocolate Luxury Truffle Chocolatiers


Armand de Brignac the No. 1 Champagne in the world has collaborated with luxury truffle chocolatiers, the Chocolate, to produce the ultimate taste of luxury for Valentine’s Day, ‘Limited Edition Armand de Brignac Champagne Truffles Created by the Chocolate’

Armand de Brignac Champagne is a limited-production prestige cuvée that is produced by award-winning Champagne Cattier house of Chigny-les-Roses, France. The Cattier family has owned and cultivated vineyards in the Montagne de Reims terroir in the French Champagne region since 1763.

Created exclusively for Valentine’s Day, the bespoke handmade truffles are crafted using 63% Toscano Black, sourced from a small, family-run team of artisan chocolate makers based outside the Italian historic city of Pisa. The family prides themselves on their focus and desire to create the best chocolate in the world, and it comes as no surprise that they were awarded the prestigious ‘Golden Bean’ Best Bean to Bar award by the revered Academy of Chocolate.

The family uses a traditional granite stone mill to refine the cocoa beans and the ganache is created using a mixture of cocoa, cream and Armand de Brignac Champagne. At the final stage, the 15 truffles are flaked with edible 24-carat gold, enclosed in a bespoke boutique box featuring an edible pure 24-carat gold inlay, which has been designed to compliment Armand de Brignac Brut Gold Champagne.

A bottle of Armand de Brignac Brut Gold is also included and is presented in a black lacquer wooden box, fitted with an engraved nameplate and lined in black velvet.

Armand de Brignac and the Chocolate perfectly complement each other through their creative passion, use of traditional methods, approach to craftsmanship and their desire to create the best! These characteristics make the Limited Edition Armand de Brignac Champagne Truffles created by the Chocolate the perfect Valentine’s gift – for her and for him.


This bespoke gift is only available in the UK for a limited period, and can be purchased from www.the-chocolate.com for £400. Delivery of this unique hand-made product is within five days or can be expressed for specific delivery date.

Liz Palmer
@champagnehouses