THE TYTE LYFE

Champagne Philipponnat one of the major owners of Grand and Premier Cru vineyards in the region is releasing the 2000 vintage of its single vineyard, Clos de Goisses prestige cuvée. As the ripest vineyard in the region, it is able to produce a vintage almost every year, contrary to the Champagne norms of making vintages every three to four years.

The 2000 vintage is a blend of Pinot Noir (65%) and Chardonnay (35%) and can be aged up to 30 years. There is no malolactic fermentation and the 2000 vintage reflects the warmth of the year with bright, fruity nearly tropical flavors. Oak (just under 50%, no new oak) was partially used in the fermentation process for the first time at Philipponnat, to add complexity. The harvest was reduced to just 20,000 bottles out of a potential 55,000 bottles to cull out the best possible blend.
In the U.S. it will be available at select locations including Zachys where it will sell for $155.

Renowned Australian industrial designer Marc Newson has collaborated once again with Dom Pérignon to create a special carrying case / cooler for the famed French champagne house. The Black Box by Marc Newson is crafted of a high-tech composite that keeps a chilled bottle of bubbly perfectly cool during traveling, while resisting wear and tear. Priced at €200 or about $285 the case is unfortunately not yet available in the U.S.

Complex magazine has given you a guide to champagne shopping.  How to pick the best “bubbly” for your needs. BTW, my birthday is coming up on January 18th, so feel free to buy me a bottle!!!

See champagne guide here