Wineshow: oh mia bela madunina che te brillet de Champagne

It could be due to the ancient, mysterious story behind it, or to the creamy texture of its bubbles and the elegance these evoke. Whatever the reason, one thing is sure: Champagne has always managed to charm even the most sophisticated palates.

This is why we organised a Wineshow dedicated to the best-loved sparkling wine in the world, in post office opening hours in the spaces of Spaces. We’ve called it “Oh Mia Bela Madunina che te brillet de Champagne”, because we think that during the most Milanese ritual of them all, the apéritif, people should drink lots more Champagne!

Together we embarked on a sensorial trip, tracing back through 200 years of wine-making tradition, thanks to the bottles of one of the most famous Champagne producers in France: Maison Mumm. From the famous Cordon Rouge, to the Millesimé 2012, with Le Rosé in between, fresh and carefree, wines that tell and encompass a history of excellence and passion. 

Obviously, even if the theme was an important one, this wasn’t your classic arthritic tasting session.

We had great fun identifying the aromas, flavours, and #Characters of the three wines in compelling challenges involving tables, games and improvised role plays.

HERE’S WHAT WE DRANK:

Cordon Rouge, the #Playful French wine that always knows how to get your attention

Cordon Rouge has always been the flagship product of the house of Mumm and it was perfected in the mid-1800s when the son of one of the three founders, Georges Hermann Mumm, decided that for his maison he wanted “only the best”. 

The name Cordon Rouge dates back to 1875, when a Mumm agent suggested to Georges Hermann that the bottles be decorated with the red ribbon of the Legion d’Honneur, the same symbol used by Napoleon Bonaparte, which represents the highest honour awarded by the French Republic.

The red ribbon was so distinctive that in bars and restaurants people no longer ordered “a bottle of Champagne” but “a bottle of Cordon Rouge”. 

 Cordon Rouge Champagne consists of the classic blend of the three varietals of grapes used, in different percentages, throughout the Champagne area: Chardonnay, Pinot Nero and Pinot Meunier sourced from over 77 crus (a French term indicating a specific grape-growing and wine-making area), each one with unique features.

Then, in the bottling phase, percentages of reserve wines are added to the spumante obtained, conferring the unique style of the Maison and more structure to the Champagne. 

With its golden yellow color, and extra-fine, lively perlage, it has a striking, decidedly fruity aroma, encompassing white peach, apricot, and tropical fruit, but also notes of vanilla, toasted bread, and dried fruit.

Its mouthfeel is fresh and persistent but its finish features a sweet note of caramel. We, therefore, gave it a #Playful character because overall it has a soft, creamy feel.

Le Millesimé 2012, a charming #Brilliant wine with natural elegance

I don’t know whether you know that the term Millesimato is used to describe sparkling wines produced with grapes (and therefore vines) that all come from the same excellent vintage.

 In fact, usually, other vintages of wine are added to sparkling wines, or they might even spend a period of time in barriques.

But precisely because not all vintages are excellent, the Millesimé 2012 is only the 59th edition in Maison’s 200 years of history.

 Millesimè is an extremely elegant, fresh, dry Champagne and so its character can only be described as #Brilliant. 

With a fruity nose that also presents nutty tones, especially hazelnut. In the mouth, it has citrus and mineral tones, sustained by a generous but very fine perlage. The finish presents a sapid, mineral note. What can we say? Pure class!

 Le Rosé, #Brilliant and vivacious, it amazes for its bold taste, regardless of its fruity aroma

A label that has become an icon in the world of pink sparkling wines from France.

The rosé version is also made by blending the three grape varieties: Pinot Noir to add structure, Chardonnay to bring elegance and minerality and Pinot Meunier, which tweaks the equilibrium, making this an extremely well-balanced, harmonious Champagne.

How is a Rosè Champagne made?

The base wine is made from the must of the three varietals vinified separately, then a percentage of reserve wines aged in barrels, and of Pinot Noir vinified as red wine, is added. It is then left to re-ferment in the bottle, where it remains in contact with the yeast for no fewer than 30 months.

The colour is breathtaking, a beautiful clear salmon pink and the nose also evokes small red fruits such as strawberry and cherry. In the mouth, it is very fresh and sapid, totally dry and for this reason, despite its fruity nose, we classified it as #Brilliant.

To take this tasting session to an even higher level, we added some products made by the Viale dei Mille Consortium, an entity we had already worked with for other events, because not only do we admire the contribution it makes to society but also because it has some exceptional products, like its roasted almonds (which we found to be the perfect pairing for Champagne during an apéritif…forget oysters!)

Want to participate in one of our Wineshows? Check the events page and come and meet us at one of the next dates on the calendar!