A beer lover’s tribute to Champagne

Every once in a while, it’s nice to taste something other than beer. When I was invited to a Champagne tasting recently, how could I refuse? It was an evening of revelations, of all sorts, and seven different types of Champagne.

A friend of mine, a former brewer, has now shifted his focus to Champagne. Ahead of offering tasting events to customers, he wanted to run the exquisite range of imported Champagnes by some people who work with food, wine and beer. And wow, we were in for a treat!

Seven types of Champagne from the same producer were served blind, to see which ones we preferred, how we would rank them, and how we would present them during a tasting with paying customers. A challenge no doubt, but one we were all happy to take on.

As when tasting beer, I found my top favourites straight away. One was a 100 per cent Chardonnay, another was a 100 per cent Pinot Noir, and the third was an incredible, elegant Grand Cru. The others were fantastic as well, but just not on the same level. The rosé was somewhat artificial, although gorgeous in the glass, the demi-sec was a tad too sweet, and the basic one was…too basic.

The seventh, another Grand Cru that had also been aged in oak barrels, caused a stir. According to the price tag, this was the most exclusive. Some loved it, and it was great, but there’s just something about that boozy oak barrel aroma and flavour I don’t really gel with. As it happens, this is also the case with barrel-aged beers, they become too intense, in a sense overpowering.

Overall, what a fantastic experience though, and I will no doubt get my hands on those top three. “Champagne beats beer,” I texted a fellow beer judge when walking home after the tasting, very happy and somewhat tipsy. In hindsight, beer is beer and beer is fabulous. But every now and then, one needs something a bit extra, to add a little sparkle to everyday life.