Sparkling success for Champagne Masters

the drinks business yesterday hosted the first ever Champagne Masters competition.

Held at the prestigious Institute of Masters of Wine headquarters in Fitzroy Square, London, nine experts gathered together to undertake the arduous task of tasting a large amount of different Champagnes.

The tasting lasted all day, most of which was spent in focused, studious silence as the two teams of judges sniffed, sipped and spat each of the wines.

With four flights (Non-Vintage, Vintage, Prestige Cuvée and Rosé), there was a good range of each, and overall an extremely high quality of Champagnes.

Patrick Schmitt, editor of the drinks business, who chaired one of the tasting teams, said: “We were blessed with both an extremely high calibre of judges and entries which made the tasting an educational and exciting exercise.”

“The Champagnes in the vintage category were particularly thrilling and highlighted what db and many in the trade have been saying for some time: vintage Champagne offers extremely good value.”

“The quality in the prestige cuvée and non-vintage categories was also high and overall there were a handful of outstanding wines, which we shall announce in September’s issue of the drinks business.”

The other team was chaired by Nicola Arcedeckne-Butler MW.

Other judges were:

Anthony Foster MW (pictured)

Emma Dawson

Helen McEvoy

Jamie Hutchinson

Marcel Oford-Williams

Michael Edwards

Christine Parkinson