This year I spent Memorial Day weekend visiting my cousins in the Virginia Beach area. I arrived Friday and we had a great weekend of eating, drinking, shopping and beach-going but before any of that, we kicked off the weekend with their favorite champagne, one that they had tried in Paris and smitten, ordered a case to take home.
For most people, visiting relatives on a holiday weekend might seem like a normal, uneventful thing to do but I didn’t grow up with a large family and until a couple of years ago, didn’t actually know that these particular cousins existed. We all know that every family, even the most boring ones, have a story that includes some sort of drama or scandal. In this chapter, my grandfather and his brother had a falling out many years ago which led to my mom and her first cousin losing contact. Generations later, we’ve all gotten back in touch and as such, I’ve hit the cousin jackpot with Dana and her partner Galya.
And I swear, I’m not saying that just because they plied me with great champagne.
Champagne Deutz is produced in the Champagne region of France and is made with a combination of grapes: 38% Pinot Noir, 32% Pinot Meunier and 30% Chardonnay. The color is an intense gold with fine effervescence that makes it easy to drink. The winemaker hints at notes of hawthorn and white flowers, followed by aromas of toast, marzipan and ripe pears. On the palate, the wine is full bodied and elegant with the freshness of a Chardonnay but a clean, fruity finish.
Why should you drink this wine? Champagne pairs well with everything and I’ve met few people that don’t absolutely love it. There is a horrible rumor out there suggesting that champagne be saved for special occasions but I think champagne is a great wine to drink when you’re undecided as to what will pair well with a meal or snack.
When should you drink this wine? Sip champagne, especially a champagne as wonderful as Deutz, on its own. It pairs great with food but it’s also a lovely apertif if you’re heading out to dinner or if you’re enjoying chilled wine on your patio before a barbecue.
How should you drink this wine? Keep it refrigerated until just before serving.
How long should I age this wine? Deutz champagne is aged for three years after harvest so by the time you take it home, it’s ready to drink.
Photo Credit: Google Images
{ 29 comments… read them below or add one }
All you have to say is “champagne” and I’m there.
To be honest, I don’t care who makes it. If it’s sweet(ish) and it bubbles…I’m happy.
I’d like to know who started this awful rumor that bubbly was for special occasions only! Reminds me of a great champagne quote: “I only drink champagne when in love, and when not.”
My wife and I were convinced that we liked champagnes that had a higher balance of pinot noir. (Since we drink a lot from outside France, they’re not really champagnes, I know.) When we went to Mendocino last year we tasted quite a few that had more chard and really liked that style. I’d love to taste a true champagne that had such a balance between the three grapes. This looks wonderful and it’s just awesome they brought back a case. We always worry about the sparklys and never bring any home. We’re in one of those illegal to ship too states! I’m rambling. I love wine Wednesdays!
Very sweet story!
We’ve never really thought of drinking champagne outside of New Years or a celebration (except Mimosas, of course). May have to try it out – though it does go straight to my head.
I love champagne. And I agree that it shouldn”t just be for special occasions- although that seems to be when I most often have it. I think I ought to work on changing that.
Convinced. I’m on the hunt now to purchase some!
I’m a total bubbly girl – I need no special occasion! Love starting off meals with some champagne or prosecco!
Would that I could serve champagne every time I had strawberries
. Your bubbly sounds wonderful and I’m so glad you enjoyed the weekend. I hope you have a great day. Blessings…Mary
I love this! I was at a dinner a few months ago and this woman overheard my friend and I talking about how we never drink champagne unless it’s an occassion. She said that she had been diagnosed with cancer (she’s okay now) and had decided then to just enjoy life at absolutely every opportunity. She said, “Always drink champagne! There is never a bad time!” I loved it
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I went on a sparkling wine tasting in Napa this past weekend and fell even more in love with sparkling wine than I already am! I definitely have to try this!
Sparkling wine is a nice change from the typical reds/whites. Thanks for the suggestion!
love champagne and how cool to be reunited with your cousins
Great story! Love me some champagne!
Oooohhh, champagne, you know what, I tried champagne only twice to know that I was allergic to alcohol!:p LOL, yeah, no joke…I know, it’s a waste, but hey, at least, I’ve had attempted this awesome festive drink…twice:p
Champagne and I are good old friends; especially now that you can cool off with a chilled glass outdoors. Thanks for such a wonderful and bubbly post!
Great story! I looooove champagne, haha
Thanks for the introduction to this new to me champagne, I’ll be keeping an eye out for it now.
agreed, champagne is fantastic all the time
The bubbles make my nose itch. Same thing with carbonated drinks! I’m so weird!
It’s funny because I almost only ever drink champagne on fancy occasions, but I’ll drink wine all the time. I think I need to amend my ways!
I hardly never drink champagne or sparkling wine since the bubbles seem to go right to my head. But i do love mixing it with other drinks. Glad you had an awesome weekend.
I enjoyed your family reunion story. How wonderful to be such good friends with cousins.
Where do I find this champagne? I’m on the lookout to give it a try…
Cava is my drink of choice, preferably rose, then every day is a special occasion!!
I was one of those people who saved champagne for special occasions, until my husband got a new job and so many of his coworkers bought him a bottle to celebrate! There was no way all that champagne was going to sit in the fridge until New Year’s Eve
Glad I’m not the only one with grandfathers that don’t speak to their brothers!
But I’m also glad that you got to reunite with your cousins…that is inspiring… leaves me with hope. Thanks for sharing!
Sadly it is probably more common than we think!
I love champagne and never, never save it for a special occasion..every weekendf to me is a special ocassion!! lol..thanks for introducing this new champange to me. I love that you reconnected with your family, nothing beats that!
sweetlife
I love Virginia Beach. I lived there for a few years and I miss it terribly!
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