shortly after easter, david and i spent a few days in france, travelling around champagne. needless to say we bought quite a few bottles home with us, two of which we recently tried so i could participate in my very first wine blogging wednesday, hosted by sam at one of my favourite food blogs, becks & posh. 

the reviews below are written by david.

champagne milan “cuvee symphorine” 2000 grand cru blanc de blancs

purchased april 2006, from chez milan in hautvillers. cost 21 euros.

taken as an aperitif, and then as a not-so-traditional accompaniment to our asian-inspired caramel chicken dish, served with succulent light-steamed greens and plain rice, doused in sweet sauce from the chicken.

lemon flesh in colour, with the faintest green tinge, this very dry blanc de blancs has delicate but long-lasting bubbles. its light yeasty smell carries through to the palate, but a delightful greengage-ish aftertaste leaves a pleasant feel. a clean finish creates the desire for more, and thankfully we have another two bottles!

pierre gobillard “cuvee prestige” non-vintage

purchased april 2006, from chez gobillard in hautvillers. cost around 20 euros.

another aperitif, but certainly rounder than the milan blanc de blancs, this wine is harder to pin down to flavours. though we are novices to the tasting game, this seems to have more traditional champagne characteristics: a golden yellow hue, lively fizz and mouth-filling flavour. but that flavour had us guessing til the bottle was empty, as we shifted from pineapple, to burnt caramel – like a creme brulee topping – and through a range of other puddings. thankfully there is another bottle to give us another go… soon.