In love with C Journalist, writer, politician and wartime leader, Winston Churchill
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here is a famous quote from an exchange between Winston and Lady Nancy Astor, whom he was frequently forced to contend with: "Mr Prime Minister, you are drunk. You are very, very drunk." "Lady Astor, you are ugly.You are very, very ugly. But tomorrow, I shall be sober." As with many things in Winston's life, with alcohol, he started out small and quickly found himself an expert. Another famous quote by Churchill gives his estimation of his alcohol intake: "I have taken more out of alcohol than alcohol has taken out of me." Frequently, Churchill bragged and joked about his reliance on alcohol, with his infamously-dry humour. This appetite for alcohol led to the distinction of having his name attached to a famous Champagne. Pol Roger bestowed that honour on the man. Located in the town of Épernay in the Champagne region, the house annually produces around 110,000 cases of Champagne. Pol Roger was born on 24 December 1831, the son of a lawyer. Beginning as a wholesaler of wine, he started his own champagne house in 1849, with the first growths released in 1853. He received a royal warrant for the Austro-Hungarian court. Champagne Pol Roger created their Prestige Cuvée in homage to Sir Winston. Churchill was mindful of the qualities that he sought in his champagne: robustness, a full-bodied character and relative maturity.
14 GLASS of BUBBLY - FEBRUARY 2020
The owners of Pol Roger are members of the Primum Familiae Vini. Pol Roger holds a current Royal Warrant as purveyors of champagne to Queen Elizabeth II. The house's prestige label remains the vintage Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill. The wartime leader was apt to repeat Napoleon's maxim on champagne: "In victory, deserve it. In defeat, need it!" They also release three nonvintage cuvées, the Pure Brut (no added sugar), Brut Réserve and Rich (sweet), as well as three other vintage wines, the Brut Vintage, Blanc de blancs and Rosé Vintage. Pol Roger Brut Vintage is typically a blend of 40% Chardonnay and 60% Pinot noir, although this varies.
Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill
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he exact blend is a closely guarded family secret but it is undeniable that the composition would meet with the approval of the man to whom it is dedicated : “My tastes are simple, I am easily satisfied with the best.” Pinot Noir predominates, providing structure, breadth and robustness whilst Chardonnay contributes elegance, finesse and subtlety. The wine is composed exclusively of grapes sourced from Grands Crus Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vineyards which were already under vine during Churchill’s lifetime. Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill is only made in the very best vintages
and is always relea other vintage date from Pol Roger, ma appreciation for ol Roger had been th champagne of Sir W since 1908. After h Pol Roger placed a around the labels o shipped to the Un Madame Odette Churchill had befri at the British Emba 1944, attended his years later. In 1987, when th Churchill's country Chartwell, in south London, were deva Great Storm, the P paid for much of th In 1984, Pol-Rog the Pinot noir-dom Winston Churchill The first vintage (the one introduce the 1975, only rele format. It has been 1979, 1 Cuvée Sir Winst replaced the Pol R Speciale at the top Reserve Speciale w Chardonnay and 5 blend from 100% r vineyards. First released w vintage, it continue alongside Cuvee S Churchill until the when its productio Pol Roger felt no n competing prestige