It’s almost time to celebrate the New Year, and we can’t wait. What better way to kick off 2021 than toasting with a glass of Champagne. The BeautyEQ team share their favourites.
“I hope to see in the New Year through rose-tinted glasses, with a bottle of this beautiful Champagne that will also add the wow-factor to my New Year’s Eve party table.”
Piper Heidsieck Rose Sauvage, $80
Wine editor Joelle Thomson
Mumm Grand Cordon Cuvée America’s Cup Edition, $60
Champagne is the world's most famous high quality sparkling wine and the region's name in France where G.H. Mumm is made. Pronounced "moom" this celebratory bottle, partnering with America's Cup to support yachting, was specially designed to highlight one of the world's most luxurious competitions, hosted in March 2021 on our sparkling Waitematā Harbour here in Auckland New Zealand. A massive global Champagne brand, and owned by Pernod Ricard, Mumm is made from classic champagne grapes, including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier, and the company churns out eight million bottles worldwide every year. It's a harmonious, creamy, full-bodied blend, supported by the complexity of a small portion of the wine fermented in oak, which provides weight, texture and a creamy taste. It's a lovely and relatively affordable bubbly to share with friends to celebrate New Year wherever you may be.
Graze with: Brie cheese and walnuts.
Serve with: Grilled or pan-fried white fish with crisp fresh salad leaves.
Style director Louise Hilsz
Moët & Chandon's Imperial Brut NV, $70.
Pronounced mo-wet, this French Champagne screams luxury, and like Hilsz if you're already a fan, this is the perfect glass of bubbles to toast in a New Year. Fun fact: The Moët family, were originally from the Netherlands and moved to France in the 1400s. The brand Moët became, Moët & Chandon over generations, and today it's owned by the largest luxury conglomerate globally, LVMH, a.k.a. Louis Vuitton, Moët-Hennessy. They produce close to 30 million bottles each year, it's sporting a Royal Warrant, as the Queen of England's preferred Champagne, and was the bubbles of choice at Charles and Diana's 1981 wedding. That regal taste is courtesy of three different grapes: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier, all from the Champagne region in France. Experts say it has the aroma of warm brioche and roasted hazelnuts, blended with sun-ripened lemons, and apricots. We say it's delicious and the perfect Champagne to toast away what has been a challenging year. I plan to celebrate with a glass or two on New Year’s Eve, with the promise that 2021, will be full of optimism and joy.
Graze with: Seasonal fruit, and nuts and warm bread.
Serve with: Seafood, or white fish, artichokes, and mixed green salad.
Moët & Chandon's Imperial Brut NV, $70.
Editor Trudi Bewer
Piper Heidsieck Rose Sauvage, $80
It's no secret I love a rosè. So when I have a glass of Champagne, it needs to be pink. This New Year's Eve, if you're lucky enough to get your hands on bottle or two of this Rose Sauvage, (it's in short supply right now), you will agree it's a glorious drop. Experts don't call this a full-bodied Champagne, for nothing. The bold red colour and fruity flavour are thanks to Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay blend of grapes. With an additional Pinot Noir added to the mix to give it that rosy hue. Named Sauvage, which means wild in French, to quote our brilliant wine writer Joelle Thomson, "This is a wildly different style of pink champagne." For that reason, and it's rich berry flavour, I hope to see in the New Year through rose-tinted glasses, with a bottle of this beautiful Champagne that will also add the wow-factor to my New Year's Eve party table.
Graze with: Smoked salmon on water crackers, or mushroom pate with crusty french bread with smoked butter.
Serve with: Chicken and mushrooms in a risotto or served in a salad with fresh summer herbs including oregano, basil and sage.
Piper Heidsieck Rose Sauvage, $80
The prices in this review will vary from retailer to retailer, and are quoted as a guide only.