Armand de Brignac releases the world’s largest bottle of Rosé Champagne

The 15l Nebuchadnezzar Armand de Brignac Rosé which is equivalent to twenty 75cl bottles or about 80 to 90 glasses is housed in the brand’s signature metallic bottle and finished with a “pewter” ace of spades. A limited number of bottles have been produced for the international market.

Released just in time for the summer market, the Nebuchadnezzar will make its debut at club Nikki Beach, St Tropez on 1 June.

“This was the perfect time for us to release the Nebuchadnezzar as Rosé is synonymous with summer,” said Philippe Bienvenu, commercial director of Armand de Brignac.

Yvonne Lardner, Armand de Brignac’s director of PR reports an interest in Ace of Spades Rosé from men: “We’ve found our Rosé to be really popular with men, the stigma towards the style seems to have gone.”

Tasting Notes:

Armand de Brignac Rosé is fresh and full-bodied with a rich bouquet of red fruits and aromas of strawberries and blackcurrant – perfect for enjoying in the sunshine,” – Philippe Bienvenu

MAKE YOUR SUMMER MOVIE EXPERIENCE SPARKLE – SIP CHAMPAGNE DURING THIS SEASON’S BLOCKBUSTERS!

AS summer heats up, this season’s movies give you a chance to escape as films like Sex and the City 2 and Pirates of the Caribbean 4 transport you to exotic destinations like Abu Dhabi and the high seas. And what better way to enjoy the journey than by sipping a fine glass of Champagne? No matter where your movie of choice takes you, you’ll also be getting a taste of France.

WITH summer in full swing, the Champagne Bureau has compiled a guide to the season’s hottest movies, along with the best Champagne to enjoy with them.

1. Sex and The City 2 – A glass of Champagne will make you feel just like one of the girls during this sequel, where the crew escapes New York and heads for Abu Dhabi . Abu Dhabi is known for its fresh fish from the Arabian Gulf. Try pairing shrimp, crab, or lobster with a Blanc de Blanc Champagne and you will feel like you too are along for the ride. To be as classy as these girls, you can never go wrong with Vintage Champagne (produced from the wines of a single harvest).

2. Salt– If you’re looking for action and excitement, Salt should do the trick. Angelina Jolie plays a CIA agent accused of being a spy, who goes on the run as she tries to clear her name. What could be better with a Salty food and film than a classic Non-Vintage Brut style Champagne. The dry style of this wine will pair perfectly with many salty cuisines, but we recommend adventurous pairings.

3. Eat Pray Love – Follow Elizabeth Gilbert on her journey around the world in this movie based on her book of the same name. After a painful divorce, she sets off on a trip that takes her to Italy, Indonesia, and India to discover herself, and ends up finding much more. Try pairing romantic Rosé Champagne with Italian chocolate truffles.

4. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides – Everyone’s favorite cast of swashbuckler’s returns to big screen for this 4th chapter of Pirates of the Caribbean. Captain Jack finds himself onboard a ship with a woman from his past searching for the Fountain of Youth. Soak up the coastal feel of the film as you travel the seas right along with them by sipping a Blanc de Noir, which will pair perfectly with a peppered shrimp Alfredo dish. The light sauce will be the perfect match for this full-bodied Champagne and you will truly feel as though you are cruising the high seas.

The Champagne Bureau is the official U.S. representative of the Comité Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne (CIVC).

Crisp and Refreshing Summer Wines

Once summer starts, our desire to find crisp and refreshing quaff for entertaining has us scrambling to the local liquor store. The thought of drinking a glass of heavy red now feels just that – heavy! Syrah? Super Tuscan?. Cabernet Sauvignon? Too heavy – plodding along like a palate attached to an anchor! So, what are we left with? Start with crisp acidity, throw in low alcohol content and then mix vigorously with lighter fruit flavors. The end result is a wine that delights the senses and dances across the taste buds.

Here are some favorite summer varieties when the temperature heats up:

1. Old standby: Chardonnay (oaked or unoaked);

2. Most popular: Sauvignon Blanc;

3. Ubiquitous Pinot Grigio;

4. Sexy and sumptuous: Riesling;

5. Hot now: Grüner-Veltliner;

6. Most versatile: Rosé;

7. Bubbles: Champagne, Prosecco, Franciacorta, and others

There are many other great summertime varieties. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box such by giving lighter red wines a slight chill. Guidelines as to the best summer wine will be your own!

Cheers; Prost; Skaal; Santé; Salud; Yung Sing; Sláinte; Slaandjivaa; Eis Igian; Okole Maluna; L’chaim; Cin Cin and others…

Liz Palmer
Wine and Travel Writer