• Glasses should be clean and free of any traces of detergent or rinsing agent [could cause Champagne to flatten]
• Avoid all forms of perfume, i.e., personal or room fragrance [these will interfere with the appreciation of the aromas]
• Ideal drinking temperature is [8° – 10° C] – chill the bottle for 20 minutes in an ice bucket filled with ice
• When pouring, fill the glass only two-thirds [this allows the aromas to circulate]
• Once the Champagne is poured, allow some time for it to open up
What can you see? What can you smell? What can you Taste? Champagne deserves your undivided attention. You need time to appreciate its colour, effervescence, savor its aromas and define its dominant impressions.
Colour and Appearance
Once the Champagne is poured, place a sheet of white paper behind the glass try to identify the shade.
Colours can range from: pale gold; green gold; grey gold; straw yellow; yellow gold to antique gold. For rosé Champagnes colours range from coral pink, salmon pink to deep pink.
How does the Champagne look to you? Is it limpid, sparkling or silky?
And what about the bubbles, are they: light; fine; lively; plentiful or slow?
Nose
Once the initial effervescence has subsided, bring the flute to your nose and inhale slowly, at length and then inhale again. How do you describe the aromas? Are they floral, fruity, vegetal, or does the aroma remind you of dried fruits or some other indulgent delicacy?
Floral aromas can range from rose, lime blossom, orange blossom or violet.
Fruity smells will range from grapefruit, apple, pear, quince, peach, apricot, nectarine, mango, banana, lychee, coconut, cherry or currant.
Vegetal bouquets range from almond, grass, fern, to truffle.
Dried Fruit odors range from hazelnut, raisin to dried fig.
Other indulgent delicacy aromas include butter, brioche, toast, honey, candied fruit, vanilla and various spices
Mouth
Champagne reveals its complex personality best on the palate. Try rolling the Champagne around your mouth – there is bound to be a dominant impression.
How does the Champagne feel?
Does it feel powerful, solid, comforting, smooth, light, mature, or opulent?
Now how would you describe the impression?
Is it creamy, delicate or complex?
Go ahead and enjoy what is hiding inside your flute glass – Wishing you all a Happy Global Champagne Day!