Tag: Champagne

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Celebrating Mom. Mother’s Day Solutions.

“I want to show Mom I really love her but due to my work schedule and family obligations, I really don’t have time to prepare for a brunch or lunch. What should I do?”

Sound familiar?

This was a recent panicked email from a client. I quickly responded to calm her nerves and we have since coordinated the entire brunch for 10 family members. Menu, drink selections, table décor, everything; Even scheduling the cleaning team for the Friday before so that she no longer needs to worry, simply needs to relax and enjoy.

This situation can come up for any type of occasion or person you would like to show “a little love” for, so I thought I would share an idea that she and I discussed that can be prepared the night before and allows you to spend more time with your guests.

A Self-Service Champagne Table:

Cover a small table with a white linen cloth; add a second layer with a natural linen napkin overlay.

Select a silver tray {polish a week in advance} to place your champagne flutes on. Mix-and-Match the glassware, most of us have been given pairs of flutes over the years rather than a full set, they all work together no matter the size or shape.

Select a dozen of your favorite flower and place in a vase on the table to add life.

 

Linen hemstitched cocktail napkins elevate the display but beautiful paper napkins can be used as well.

An ice bucket filled with ice to keep the champagne cold can be set out at the last-minute. {Be sure to chill your champagne over night to ensure it is at the perfect temperature.}  

As guests arrive pop the cork and celebrate!

 

Now tell me in the comments below what your top 3 concerns are about entertaining at home? What would be your dream solution to those concerns?

~ Krayl ~

 


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Champagne Selecting Tips

Close-up-of-explosion-of-champagne-bottle - via @AnAppealingPlan #KraylFunch

As far as I am concerned Champagne is the perfect beverage almost any day of the week and the perfect gift any time of the year – but how do you select the perfect bottle from the rows in your local wine shop? Although  I believe in the trial method below are a few champagne selecting tips from the experts. 

How do you know if it’s real Champagne?

They say the only legitimate bubbly is the stuff that hails from France’s Champagne region. All others are technically sparkling wine (known as spumante, sekt or vin mousseux in other parts of the world).

What’s the difference between Sweet + Dry Champagne? 

Understand what “sweetness” means with regard to champagne. It’s determined by the winemaker during the process of fermentation with the addition of dosage – a secret blend of wine, sugar and sometimes brandy. Levels include brut {very dry}, extra brut {extra dry, but sweeter than brut}, sec {medium sweet}, demi-sec {sweet, considered a dessert wine} and doux {very sweet, considered a dessert wine}.

How do I know which type of Champagne to purchase?

Purchase from the three main types of champagne. Methode Champenoise is a rigorous, multistep process. Indicates a top-quality sparkling wine was made exactly the same way as French champagne–“fermented in this very bottle.” Vintage Champagne is made only on occasions. Wines from the declared year must compose at least 80 percent of the cuvee (blend of still wines), with the balance coming from reserve wines from prior years. Must be aged for three years before release. Nonvintage Champagne (NV) are blends of usually five to seven years that make up 75 to 80 percent of those bottled. It is typically made in a definitive house style and maintained by meticulous blending. It is with this reserve that the winemaker is able to create the same style every year.

What is Rose? And how do they make it?

From the three main categories, learn about the many derivatives. Rose is made by adding a small amount of red still wine to the cuvee, although some producers extract color by macerating the juice with red grape skins. The clearer the better and more full-flavored when it comes to Blanc de Noirs. It’s made entirely from the red Pinot Noir and/or Meunier grapes. Blanc de Blancs are usually more delicate and the lightest in color–made entirely from Chardonnay grapes. Made with only slightly more than half the pressure of standard sparkling wines, Cremant has a creamier mouth-feel. Grand Cru, meaning “great growth” is the top ranking a French vineyard can receive. Premier Cru, or “first growth,” is the second-highest ranking of French vineyards. Grande Marque is a French term for “great brand” and is used unofficially to refer to the best champagne houses.

Looking for even more Champagne Selection + Pairing Tips?? I recently asked 10 of my favorite Champagne Sisters to weigh in on this top. Check out their answers here.

the above information was curated from OurEveryDayLife.com