Adding Sparkle to Conference & Incentive Travel Magazine
Delegates pop their corks at CIT Forum’s champagne discovery session hosted by Champagne Jayne
Organised by Conference and Incentive Travel, the UK’s leading title for the meetings and events industry, the annual CIT Corporate Forum on January 23rd & 24th 2014 brought together the Top 100 UK suppliers and buyers in the global MICE industry for a series of best practice workshops, intimate industry networking sessions and lavish entertainment.
Adding extra sparkle to this annual event, hosted over 2 days at privately owned Luxury Country Hotel and Spa Chewton Glen, 80 VIP guests were treated to a pre gala dinner champagne discovery masterclass by award-winning broadcaster Jayne Powell (better known as Champagne Jayne).
Showcasing a diverse range of champagne styles blind, 2012 Champagne Educator of the Year Champagne Jayne shared top tasting tips and enthralled guests with fascinating facts about the world’s most enigmatic wine…
Champagne No 1: Tesco’s Finest Brut Premier Cru
Due to their buying power, UK supermarkets are able to source great value/quality champagnes which they sell on to customers at very attractive prices, as a way to drive footfall into their stores.This gold medal winning beautifully balanced champagne made by Union Champagne in Avize especially for Tescos is a bargain find, full of ripe fruit, good structure and decent palate length at a very reasonable price.
PRICE: GBP 19.95
Champagne No 2: Virginie T Brut (70% Pinot Noir/30% Chardonnay)
Having spent 21 years in the family business alongside her father Claude Taittinger, 4th generation Virginie Taittinger decided to branch out and create her own champagne – selling direct to the final consumer and thereby reducing distribution costs, whilst creating more value for champagne lovers. Champagne Virginie T Brut’s first release of 150,000 bottles is sexy and silky smooth in style, fruity and mouth-filling yet elegant and well-structured, black grape dominant made from primarily grand cru grapes (75%).
PRICE: GBP 36.95
Champagne No 3: Sainsburys Taste The Difference Brut Rose
Rose champagne has been in and out of fashion since the first example was made by Veuve Clicquot in 1777 and is usually more expensive than standard ‘white’ champagne because its production involves extra steps. This pale and elegant rose style made for Sainsburys by Champagne Duval Leroy is a delight to behold, full of raspberry fruit and zest but finishes dry and represents amazing value for money.
PRICE: GBP 21.99
Champagne No 4: Piper Heidsieck 2006 (51% Pinot Noir/ 49% Chardonnay)
Tasting a vintage champagne is an altogether different experience than non-vintage. Firstly there is no ‘blending’ effect as all the grapes come from a single year (and usually the best vineyards) which means the flavours are more focused, and secondly the champagne will show more individuality and longer palate length. Voted Philip and Holly’s favourite from the ITV This Morning champagne taste off and made by one of Champagne’s most awarded sparkling winemakers, Regis Camus, Piper Heidsieck 2006 is zesty and fresh with elegant fruit and a lingering creamy palate, the perfect accompaniment to any celebration.
PRICE GBP 49.50
ABOUT CHAMPAGNE JAYNE
Jayne Powell (aka Champagne Jayne) provides a uniquely rich yet accessible introduction to the world’s most enigmatic wine. Dubbed the ‘Champagne Socialist’ by Financial Times and awarded Champagne Dame status (Dame Chevalier) by the champagne industry in recognition of her global efforts to democratise prestige, Jayne is a multi-award winning author and champagne educator, freelance lifestyle journalist and special events MC who helps Top 100 companies around the world uncork business and pleasure.
To find out more visit www.champagnejayne.com or follow Jayne’s adventures on twitter @champagnejayne
Book Champagne Jayne – contact dianne@champagnejayne.com
