If you have visited us lately you might have noticed Heidsieck & Co. Monopole Silver Top NV, as our new house Champagne across the group.
Following a blind champagne tasting by our experienced general managers and sommelier, we decided our house champagne for at least the next two years to be Heidsieck & Co. Monopole Silver, a special champagne exclusive to the hospitality sector, that is aged for 3 years to develop more biscuity and stone-fruit flavours, with extra-fine bubbles, for an improved tasting experience. Heidsick & Co. Monopole sits under the umbrella of Vranken Pommery.
To celebrate our new house champagne and the addition of Pommery Champagne to our wine list, managers from across our properties were generously invited for a 2-day visit to Domaine Pommery in Reims, France, where our champagne is made.
Sara Hicks, from Vranken Pommery, met us at London St. Pancras before taking the Eurostar to France and making our way to Reims.
Day two began with an exceptional educational tour of the Pommery cuverie, cellars and of course, included champagne tasting. Taking 116 steps underground, they explored incredible cellars which also housed a dazzling art collection, along with vintage bottles of Champagne that would only ever be sold as part of the property. The team also enjoyed a visit to Les Clos Pompadour vineyard to get a full overview of the vinifying process known as Methode Champenoise, exclusive to the champagne region.
It’s an excellent opportunity and experience for our staff to see this and be able to relay the finer details of the wine-making process and the tasting notes associated with our house champagne.
Our colleagues from Milsom Hotels & Restaurants who attended were: Ian Rhodes – General Manager of MH&R, Andy Hirst – Executive Chef of MH&R, Jess Counsell, Deputy Manager of Talbooth Restaurant, Alex Carr – Milsom Weddings Co-ordinator in Dedham, Geoff Hare – General Manager of milsoms Dedham, Simona Cotofrei – Restaurant Manager at Talbooth Restaurant, Oli Hopes – Food & Beverage Manager at milsoms Kesgrave Hall, Jack Fradley – Food & Beverage Manager at The Pier, and Alice Fowler – House Manager at Talbooth House & Spa.
