It was in a certain townhouse in Knightsbridge that I was introduced to Laurent Perrier. Until I tasted that elixir, I was a Veuve Clicquot girl. Back at home in NY, JPH, S. & I are predominantly red wine drinkers with the occasional bottle of white (ok, and port, and limoncello and cognac, and rum, and Cherry Bounce... and well, you see the blog, and the variety of bottled goodness) But here in Knightsbridge, it is generally bubbly. (photo styled by VCE)
Imagine my surprise when I arrived on the doorstep and Laurent Perrier had been supplanted by gasp... a major supermarket brand: Sainsbury's Blanc de Noirs Champagne NV. Imagine my shock when I realized that it was good. It wasn't just us either, in a blind tasting, Sainsbury's Blanc de Noirs Champagne NV out shone Moet and many others.
This wine is sourced from the Producteurs des Grands Terroirs de la Champagne, a French co-operative. It is a dry blend of 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Pinot Meunier (aka Black Riesling). VCE has the quote of the night with "it has a slightly tart Blackberry/Blueberry hint to it", I concur and add: "it was mouth watering with a bright finish".
As a pre-dinner bottle on a Friday night, you couldn't do much better. In the savings, you could order some extra desserts and a taxi ride home. I know that Laurent Perrier still lurks in the cellar, but it can rest there, waiting for a special moment. Until then, it is Sainsbury's to the rescue.
Since my last last trip home to London, we lost a friend.
Suha Yusuf was an artist first in everything that she undertook.
She created and lived for beauty;
in nature, in friendships and in every step of her life.
Her etchings and prints will be in a gallery showing in the future,
and proceeds will be going to a charitable trust.
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