About 5 years or so ago, there was a grower Champagne symposium in New Orleans. From the perspective of the talent that was there, it was a smashing success. Unfortunately, it wasn’t promoted very well and economically I’m sure that it was a disaster. I was really hoping that some how or another that all the lessons learned from this inaugural event would be built upon and that this wonderful opportunity would continue. At least to my knowledge, that has not been the case. Does anyone know otherwise?
I’m bringing this back up hoping Mr. Baker will comment.
I do my part - we have a Grower Champagne party at our house every year!
Great idea!
Flight of 3-4 grower Champagnes, usually from one producer, every Friday at my girlfriend’s wine bar. 52 straight Fridays and you have your own little symposiums just in slow motion.
Michael,
For those who attended the ICSWI (International Champagne and Sparkling Wine Invitational) back in the spring of 2010, I’m sure it was a great event and well worth it. You had pretty much personal access to most of the growers brought in by Skurnik’s Terry Theise and Wasserman’s Champagne et Villages portfolios plus quite a few others that were represented by different importers. Attendance just wasn’t very high and the ROI wasn’t there for the folks putting it on or the importers/producers who came.
While the event was based on growers, there actually were quite a few houses present too, but they were kept in a separate room off to the side.
I was a paid speaker at the event and helped to give some of the seminars and there were definitely a lot, lot of things that could have been done differently. I will say that the concept was great. You had a huge grand tasting, 2 days of seminars, a selection of dinners on one night, and a number of very knowledgeable folks helping to present and pour.
Whether this event scared folks off from doing another one - I don’t know, but I do think it helped with a lot of the lessons learned. There are plenty of grower events in Champagne and I could one day see one or two them doing something in the US, but it would take a lot of work and probably some teaming up.
There is the Fete du Champagne event which is going on in NYC this fall (there is also a thread here on WB about that event). It isn’t a grower only event, but is full of great producers and is done in the style of La Paulee. It seems rather pricey to me, but I understand that many folks don’t have the same opportunities that I do to taste/purchase many of these wines so all things are relative. I do hope that it is a success as it can only help to promote Champagne. It also looks to have a much better chance for success than the ICSWI did.
Thanks for your response, Brad.