Tag: Bollinger

  • Charles de Cazanove Rosé Champagne – One Happy Surprise!

    CHE_9093 - Version 22015-10-02Charles-de cazanove-rose-champagne-© 2014 Penny Cherubino

    Minutes before leaving for Provincetown, Penny quickly grabbed what she thought was a bottle of our favorite Charles de Cazanove brut from the wine rack. It wasn’t until we’d arrived on-Cape and had begun to unpack that she realized it was actually their rosé, which we hadn't tried.

    After the long drive, we quickly settled in and treated ourselves to a couple of glasses of Charles de Cazanove Rosé Champagne.

    Our first reaction, “Impressive!” Penny said this bubbly had, “a little bit of the yeasty flavor that I love in Bollinger and the flavor of the fruit without the sweetness of added dosage.”

    IMG_8578 - Version 22015-10-04Charles-de cazanove-rose-champagne-© 2014 Penny Cherubino

    Charles de Cazanove Rosé is a blend of 15% Chardonnay, 50% Pinot Noir, 20% Pinot Meunier, 15% Côteaux Champenois Rouge.

    The winemaker describes a “… volume, fullness and strength on the palate, with good substance.”

    “This rosé has a lovely salmon-pink colour and delicious candied fruit and rose petal aromas.”

    IMG_4464 - Version 22015-09-30Charles-de cazanove-rose-champagne-© 2014 Penny Cherubino

    In a cocktail glass, I thought it looked like an inviting mixed drink. It was a great match with Chef José Andrés super light, olive oil potato chips.

    We also had it with a good Cabot cheddar, some pretzel chips, and a fresh loaf of French bread.”

    Charles de Cazanove Rosé Champagne, a very satisfying way to start a vacation and this new month. One Happy Surprise!                     

    Here’s How Our Sparkling Resolution Began

    Our Sparkling Resolution Winner’s List

    (And, for those who came here seeking canine goodness, our Sunday Dog features will return next week. Here's a link to the past ones in case you really need a dose of dog.)

    What's on your food lover's shopping list?

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2015 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

  • Champagne Paul Bara Grand Rosé – Our Memorable New Year’s Eve Guest!

    PC2_1600 - Version 22013-12-30-Paul-bara-grand-rose-bouzy-brut-champagne-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    We had been storing our bottle of Paul Bara Grand Rosé Champagne at the top of our wine rack for nearly a year awaiting an extra special occasion to pop its cork. Through the months, we took care to properly store this $60 bubbly – always on its side, never subjecting it to extreme temperatures, occasionally turning and, yes, even dusting it – but couldn’t quite commit to opening it.

    Finally, with the eve of 2014 closing in, we had to act. The day before the big night, we began chilling the Paul Bara but, just to be on the safe side, iced down a back-up bottle of Bollinger as a sort of new year’s celebration insurance.

    DSC_0614 - Version 22013-12-31-Paul-bara-grand-rose-bouzy-brut-champagne-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Soon after dark on New Year’s Eve, we put together a cheese plate and sat down to try our much anticipated rosé champagne. The clink of glasses, a toast, that first sip, and … Lovely fruit balanced by a crisp backbone, not heavy at all. And, the wine’s copper hue, that Penny described as an Italian rose gold color, is amazing!  

    The perfectly ripe (but not over-ripe) brie and Bara were excellent together! There was no problem with the black peppered cheese and a liver paté with truffles. The fruit of this rosé was like the taste of early season Atlas Farm strawberries from the Copley Square Market.

    PC2_1607 - Version 22013-12-30-Paul-bara-grand-rose-bouzy-brut-champagne-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Despite being 70% pinot noir, it’s a Champagne that’s not overpowering. It has finesse. It reminded Penny of “… people who deliver on what they say they’re going to do versus those who just talk a good show.” And, what a show it was! We couldn’t have been happier with our selection.

    By the way, as you’ve probably guessed, there was no need for our rescue bottle of Bollinger. But, since it was prepped and ready to go, we invited this irresistible French charmer to join us at our New Year’s day table. Happy 2014!   

    For more about this special Champagne, see: Here's Our Wine Pick for New Year's Eve 2013

    Related Posts:

    Our Sparkling Resolution   

    Our Sparkling Resolution Winner’s List

    Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

     Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2014 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

  • Champagne Paul Bara Grand Rosé – Our Memorable New Year’s Eve Guest!

    PC2_1600 - Version 22013-12-30-Paul-bara-grand-rose-bouzy-brut-champagne-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    We had been storing our bottle of Paul Bara Grand Rosé Champagne at the top of our wine rack for nearly a year awaiting an extra special occasion to pop its cork. Through the months, we took care to properly store this $60 bubbly – always on its side, never subjecting it to extreme temperatures, occasionally turning and, yes, even dusting it – but couldn’t quite commit to opening it.

    Finally, with the eve of 2014 closing in, we had to act. The day before the big night, we began chilling the Paul Bara but, just to be on the safe side, iced down a back-up bottle of Bollinger as a sort of new year’s celebration insurance.

    DSC_0614 - Version 22013-12-31-Paul-bara-grand-rose-bouzy-brut-champagne-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Soon after dark on New Year’s Eve, we put together a cheese plate and sat down to try our much anticipated rosé champagne. The clink of glasses, a toast, that first sip, and … Lovely fruit balanced by a crisp backbone, not heavy at all. And, the wine’s copper hue, that Penny described as an Italian rose gold color, is amazing!  

    The perfectly ripe (but not over-ripe) brie and Bara were excellent together! There was no problem with the black peppered cheese and a liver paté with truffles. The fruit of this rosé was like the taste of early season Atlas Farm strawberries from the Copley Square Market.

    PC2_1607 - Version 22013-12-30-Paul-bara-grand-rose-bouzy-brut-champagne-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Despite being 70% pinot noir, it’s a Champagne that’s not overpowering. It has finesse. It reminded Penny of “… people who deliver on what they say they’re going to do versus those who just talk a good show.” And, what a show it was! We couldn’t have been happier with our selection.

    By the way, as you’ve probably guessed, there was no need for our rescue bottle of Bollinger. But, since it was prepped and ready to go, we invited this irresistible French charmer to join us at our New Year’s day table. Happy 2014!   

    For more about this special Champagne, see: Here's Our Wine Pick for New Year's Eve 2013

    Related Posts:

    Our Sparkling Resolution   

    Our Sparkling Resolution Winner’s List

    Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

     Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2014 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

  • Champagne Paul Bara Grand Rosé – Our Memorable New Year’s Eve Guest!

    PC2_1600 - Version 22013-12-30-Paul-bara-grand-rose-bouzy-brut-champagne-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    We had been storing our bottle of Paul Bara Grand Rosé Champagne at the top of our wine rack for nearly a year awaiting an extra special occasion to pop its cork. Through the months, we took care to properly store this $60 bubbly – always on its side, never subjecting it to extreme temperatures, occasionally turning and, yes, even dusting it – but couldn’t quite commit to opening it.

    Finally, with the eve of 2014 closing in, we had to act. The day before the big night, we began chilling the Paul Bara but, just to be on the safe side, iced down a back-up bottle of Bollinger as a sort of new year’s celebration insurance.

    DSC_0614 - Version 22013-12-31-Paul-bara-grand-rose-bouzy-brut-champagne-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Soon after dark on New Year’s Eve, we put together a cheese plate and sat down to try our much anticipated rosé champagne. The clink of glasses, a toast, that first sip, and … Lovely fruit balanced by a crisp backbone, not heavy at all. And, the wine’s copper hue, that Penny described as an Italian rose gold color, is amazing!  

    The perfectly ripe (but not over-ripe) brie and Bara were excellent together! There was no problem with the black peppered cheese and a liver paté with truffles. The fruit of this rosé was like the taste of early season Atlas Farm strawberries from the Copley Square Market.

    PC2_1607 - Version 22013-12-30-Paul-bara-grand-rose-bouzy-brut-champagne-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Despite being 70% pinot noir, it’s a Champagne that’s not overpowering. It has finesse. It reminded Penny of “… people who deliver on what they say they’re going to do versus those who just talk a good show.” And, what a show it was! We couldn’t have been happier with our selection.

    By the way, as you’ve probably guessed, there was no need for our rescue bottle of Bollinger. But, since it was prepped and ready to go, we invited this irresistible French charmer to join us at our New Year’s day table. Happy 2014!   

    For more about this special Champagne, see: Here's Our Wine Pick for New Year's Eve 2013

    Related Posts:

    Our Sparkling Resolution   

    Our Sparkling Resolution Winner’s List

    Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

     Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2014 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

  • Sparkling Wine for New Year’s Eve? We Have Suggestions!

    Are you on the hunt for a special, sparkling wine for New Year's Eve? We have our selection in our sights, but it may take some shopping around to land a bottle. However, if you're looking for inspiration, we have years of recommendations for you to consider.

      6a00e54fc42bb88834017ee6c5d1db970d-500wi

    As our regular readers know, we begin each month with a glass of sparkling wine. Some months it's a cava from Spain for under $10, while other times we treat ourselves to a spectacular grower champagne like the Inflorescence Champagne Blanc de Noirs 2010 in the photo above. That was our New Year's Eve Wine, last year. 

    6a00e54fc42bb88834017c38194acc970b-500wi

    Click over to our wine category and you'll find good wines at all price points that you might consider for this holiday.

    We have our favorites like the lovely Nino Franco Rustico Prosecco we've been enjoying for years.

    To us, Bollinger makes the quintessential Champagne – toasty, yeasty, and delightful. So, as we go off to find our bottle of holiday cheer, we'll leave you with the words of Lily Bollinger who said of Champagne:

    "I drink it when I’m happy and when I’m sad. Sometimes I drink it when I’m alone. When I have company I consider it obligatory. I trifle with it if I’m not hungry and drink it when I am. Otherwise, I never touch it—unless I’m thirsty." 

    Cheers!

    Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a holiday gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

     Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

  • Sparkling Wine for New Year’s Eve? We Have Suggestions!

    Are you on the hunt for a special, sparkling wine for New Year's Eve? We have our selection in our sights, but it may take some shopping around to land a bottle. However, if you're looking for inspiration, we have years of recommendations for you to consider.

      6a00e54fc42bb88834017ee6c5d1db970d-500wi

    As our regular readers know, we begin each month with a glass of sparkling wine. Some months it's a cava from Spain for under $10, while other times we treat ourselves to a spectacular grower champagne like the Inflorescence Champagne Blanc de Noirs 2010 in the photo above. That was our New Year's Eve Wine, last year. 

    6a00e54fc42bb88834017c38194acc970b-500wi

    Click over to our wine category and you'll find good wines at all price points that you might consider for this holiday.

    We have our favorites like the lovely Nino Franco Rustico Prosecco we've been enjoying for years.

    To us, Bollinger makes the quintessential Champagne – toasty, yeasty, and delightful. So, as we go off to find our bottle of holiday cheer, we'll leave you with the words of Lily Bollinger who said of Champagne:

    "I drink it when I’m happy and when I’m sad. Sometimes I drink it when I’m alone. When I have company I consider it obligatory. I trifle with it if I’m not hungry and drink it when I am. Otherwise, I never touch it—unless I’m thirsty." 

    Cheers!

    Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a holiday gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

     Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

  • Sparkling Wine for New Year’s Eve? We Have Suggestions!

    Are you on the hunt for a special, sparkling wine for New Year's Eve? We have our selection in our sights, but it may take some shopping around to land a bottle. However, if you're looking for inspiration, we have years of recommendations for you to consider.

      6a00e54fc42bb88834017ee6c5d1db970d-500wi

    As our regular readers know, we begin each month with a glass of sparkling wine. Some months it's a cava from Spain for under $10, while other times we treat ourselves to a spectacular grower champagne like the Inflorescence Champagne Blanc de Noirs 2010 in the photo above. That was our New Year's Eve Wine, last year. 

    6a00e54fc42bb88834017c38194acc970b-500wi

    Click over to our wine category and you'll find good wines at all price points that you might consider for this holiday.

    We have our favorites like the lovely Nino Franco Rustico Prosecco we've been enjoying for years.

    To us, Bollinger makes the quintessential Champagne – toasty, yeasty, and delightful. So, as we go off to find our bottle of holiday cheer, we'll leave you with the words of Lily Bollinger who said of Champagne:

    "I drink it when I’m happy and when I’m sad. Sometimes I drink it when I’m alone. When I have company I consider it obligatory. I trifle with it if I’m not hungry and drink it when I am. Otherwise, I never touch it—unless I’m thirsty." 

    Cheers!

    Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a holiday gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

     Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

  • Popping a Bollinger Champagne Cork for July 2012

    Tomorrow, we'll pop the cork on a bottle of Bollinger to celebrate July! "Happy New Month" to all. 

    PMC_1215 - Version 22012-04-14-bollinger-champagne-brut-provincetown-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    This month, we have a few extra reasons to celeberate, so we are splurging with a great bottle of French Campagne: Bollinger Special Cuvée. This is the standard that we use to measure all other French Blanc de Noir Champagnes. 

    PMC_1239 - Version 22012-04-14-bollinger-champagne-brut-provincetown-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    One of the nice things about Bolly (as the Brits call it) is the consistant taste through the years and its wide availability. The photos here were taken in Provincetown where we usually find it at Perry's Wine and Liquors. But, I also recall buying a bottle, years ago, at an A & P in a small town in Maine. 

    This month's bottle is a treat. It is something we will enjoy at home or in a vacation cottage. If you hesitate to buy and enjoy a moderately expensive bottle of wine at home, think about what you have paid for wine in a restaurant. 

    PMC_1246 - Version 22012-04-14-bollinger-champagne-brut-provincetown-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    This is a toasty Champagne, full bodied, and ready to take on whatever you're serving with it. The blend is 60% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay, 15% Pinot Meunier. And, each release has been blended with reserve wines from the Bollinger cellars to achieve the famous Bollinger house style.

    DSC_3644 - Version 22012-04-14-bollinger-champagne-brut-provincetown-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    The next time you're in a special place or have a special reason to celebrate, invite Bollinger to the party!

    ART-MmeBollinger1

    Portrait from Bollinger's Life Can Be Perfect site. You can read more Bolly stories there.

    We close with one of the great quotes about Champagne from Lily Bollinger (above) who managed this great house for many years and established its world-wide reputation.

    "I drink it when I’m happy and when I’m sad. Sometimes I drink it when I’m alone. When I have company I consider it obligatory. I trifle with it if I’m not hungry and drink it when I am. Otherwise, I never touch it—unless I’m thirsty." Lily Bollinger

    Related Posts:

    Here's a video that will tell you more about this great Campagne House.

    Check out more of our Sparkling Resolution Winners among our Wine Posts. For years, we've kept our sparkling resolution to begin each month by toasting with a glass of sparkling wine. Some are special, some are bargains, all are delcious!

    More about Our Sparkling Resolution

    Finally, more of our Provincetown Posts!

    We have a new, favorite wine book that we are not only recommending to our readers, but buying as a gift for wine-loving friends. It's a treasure and we expect it to look a bit worn and well-used pretty quickly. It may even suffer a few wine stains but we doubt that Karen and Andrew will mind.

    The Food Lover's Guide to Wine

    Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

     

    Here are more books from this team:

    The Flavor Bible: The Essential Guide to Culinary Creativity, Based on the Wisdom of America's Most Imaginative Chefs  

    What to Drink with What You Eat: The Definitive Guide to Pairing Food with Wine, Beer, Spirits, Coffee, Tea – Even Water – Based on Expert Advice from America's Best Sommeliers

    Becoming a Chef

    Details:
    Words: Penny Cherubino
    Photography: © 2012 Penny & Ed Cherubino