Arranging Flights for Champagne Dinner

WINE TALK
1

I’m currently planning a 1996 Champagne horizontal, and I’m hoping to get some assistance in arranging the following list in to flights of 2-4. Hoping to match characteristics so that we aren’t comparing apples and oranges. The flights don’t need to be even in number, just consistent, stylistically.

1996 Billecart-Salmon Champagne Grande Cuvée
1996 Bollinger Champagne La Grande Année
1996 Drappier Champagne Grande Sendrée
1996 Henri Giraud Champagne Fût de Chêne
1996 Charles Heidsieck Champagne Brut Millésimé
1996 Krug Champagne Vintage Brut
1996 Moët & Chandon Champagne Cuvée Dom
1996 Moët & Chandon Champagne Cuvée Dom Pérignon Oenothèque
1996 Philipponnat Champagne Brut Clos des Goisses (April 2006 disgorgement)
1996 Pol Roger Champagne Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill
1996 Louis Roederer Champagne Cristal Brut
1996 Ruinart Champagne Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blancs
1996 Salon Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut
1996 Taittinger Champagne Brut Blanc de Blancs Comtes de Champagne
1996 Vilmart & Cie Champagne Coeur de Cuvée

Any thoughts as to how you would arrange these wines?

2

fantastic list. did a 96 horizontal myself and you are in for a treat. quite a few stunners you have lined up.
Flight 1 big house mid level drinkers: BS Grand Cuvee, bollinger la grande annee, Dom, Heidsieck Brut Millesime
Flight 2 big house big boys: Oenotheque, Cristal, Krug, Sir Winston Churchill
Flight 3 the main course BdB: salon, comtes, ruinart, philipponnat CdG
Flight 4 fully mature growers with dessert: Vilmart, Giraud, Drappier

HAVE FUN!!!

3

to be honest, i am torn on the cristal and the bollinger la grande annee- part of me really wants to switch them out for each other, but can’t go wrong either way.

4

With food?

If not go light to heavy.

5

Well, what is your definition of light to heavy? Light to heavy with this many selections is easier said than done. I think you want to compare similar styles in a tasting like this and provide a general theme per flight.

6

What, No Cold Duck ? [wow.gif]

7

Paul, thank you very much for your input.

And Russel, yes, there will be tons of food.

8

I do think these will show best with some food, and doesn’t have to be anything fancy or time consuming
Course 1- fresh berries
Course 2- 4 kinds of Gouda
Course 3- chilled lobster tail, crab legs, oysters, etc
Course 4- gelato, creme brûlée, etc

9

Well the food would define the flights unless it’s a buffet…

Light to heavy, well it’s really not that complex. I’m not saying you need to get the exact order for all wines (that would be silly).

That’s how I’d do it.

10

but he asked if people could possibly arrange them in flights, and so instead of just saying “light to heavy,” try and arrange the flights so that they reflect that.

11

Russel, the wine will define the food, not the other way around. Once the flights are arranged, I’ll be instructing the chef to create dishes that will match the flight.

12

I agree with your approach- let the wine define the food in this instance.

13

Well he asked for assistance, which I provided, rejigging it all on my phone is something I’m afraid I don’t have the patience for…

But totally roughly,

Comtes, Ruinart, Salon,

Vilmart, heidsieck, cristal,

Billecart, Doms, Winnie

Giraud, Krug, Bolly, goisses

I wouldn’t argue with switching any wine a flight either side.

That gives you enough for a pretty flexible menu, ending on meat, if you so wish.

14

thanks for posting Russell, and totally understand about the difficulties of trying to arrange on the phone. cheers

15

1996 Drappier Champagne Grande Sendrée
1996 Henri Giraud Champagne Fût de Chêne
1996 Charles Heidsieck Champagne Brut Millésimé

1996 Vilmart & Cie Champagne Coeur de Cuvée
1996 Bollinger Champagne La Grande Année
1996 Pol Roger Champagne Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill

1996 Billecart-Salmon Champagne Grande Cuvée
1996 Moët & Chandon Champagne Cuvée Dom
1996 Moët & Chandon Champagne Cuvée Dom Pérignon Oenothèque

1996 Philipponnat Champagne Brut Clos des Goisses (April 2006 disgorgement)
1996 Krug Champagne Vintage Brut
1996 Louis Roederer Champagne Cristal Brut

1996 Ruinart Champagne Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blancs
1996 Salon Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut
1996 Taittinger Champagne Brut Blanc de Blancs Comtes de Champagne

16

Thank you very much, Russel and Ray.

I’ve got lots to think about.

17

I would consider trying to bunch the Chards together and then pinot’s together to have more direct comparisons if possible. You may find some fascinating style differences among the blancs.

18

I am in 100% agreement Ledwards and is what I advocated for as well- I definitely believe the chards should be lumped together in one flight.

19

Except Clos des Goisses is mainly Pinot.

20

Goisses isn’t a ‘chard’…

Only three of the wines are BdB, and only one is BdN… unless I’m misremembering…