Pervasive luxury has to be the norm when a glitzy and glamorous
Champagne House does a national level launch of its beauties. We are talking of
Cattier- the famous Champagne house, that was recently in news when guests of famous
Hollywood actor Leonardo di Caprio swirled and sipped $ 3.5 million worth of its prestige cuvée Armand de Brignac at his birthday celebrations. The occasion this time however,
was the India launch of Cattier held in New Delhi at Hotel ITC Maurya and came
as a precursive cooler to the already soaring mercury in the Indian capital.
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| Wines for the Evening |
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| M. Jean-Jacques Cattier introducing the wines |
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| Hors d'ouvres |
My association with the Champagne house started last autumn when I went visiting them at Chigny les Roses in the very heart of Champagne district between Reims and Epernay. A visit to their three floors deep cellars and a dégustation session with none other than their President Monsieur Jean-Jacques Cattier was an experience (read my earlier blogpost on Maison Cattier) that I started cherishing already. So when I received an email from M Philippe Bienvenu, Commercial Director Cattier, inviting me rather modestly for ‘a flute of Champagne’ to celebrate the launch of Cattier wines in India, my anticipation started building up. Needless to mention, the celebrations went miles ahead of a simple flute!
It was deja vu to find M Cattier and Philippe warmly welcoming guests at
the venue, even as the evening began with rounds of aperitif and hors d’oeuvres indicating
the gourmet fare that lay ahead. Around an hour of tête-à-tête later, the
dinner doors were opened and revealed
immaculately laid out tables ready to receive
the five course fare and the guests partaking of it. The selective gathering
comprised of well heeled wine lovers from different vocations and it showcased
the producer’s seriousness for reaching out to the widest possible cross-section
of the Indian market.
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| The Bubbly starts pouring! |
Course by course, the experience unfolded as follows (since I opted
for non-vegetarian cuisine, my apologies to vegetarians for skipping the
detailed description and photos of veg dishes):
First Course (Entrée)
Wine: Cattier Brut Vinotheque
Type: Vintage 2005
Blend: 1/3rd
each Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Approx Retail price in Delhi: Rs. 4500.00
Vinotheque in French means “Library of Wines”. As I discussed this aspect with Philippe, he told me the significance of the name being in the exotic and collectible nature of the wine that is akin to storing in a library, only to be pulled out for use when the situation is apt- to say so- with the compatible mood, food and of course the ambience!
Vinotheque in French means “Library of Wines”. As I discussed this aspect with Philippe, he told me the significance of the name being in the exotic and collectible nature of the wine that is akin to storing in a library, only to be pulled out for use when the situation is apt- to say so- with the compatible mood, food and of course the ambience!
Accompanied Food:
Non Vegetarian: Olive oil poached Scampi masked in raw Mango confit, paired with Sevruga caviar, port poached figs.
Tasting Notes: Clear pale gold colour with shimmering reflections.
Aromas of golden apple, lemon and brioche. Refreshing acidity and layered
complexity on the palate. Worked well with the freshness of Scampi, the
tanginess of Mango confit and the salty palate coating texture of the Sevruga
caviar.
Second Course
Wine: Cattier Brut Vinotheque
Accompanied Food:
Non Vegetarian: Chilean Sea bass napped in fennel confit, served with a side of fennel dill crescents and mustard butter.
Tasting Notes: As above. The wine complemented the freshness of Sea bass
and balanced the aromatic complexity of the dish. And yes, the creamy texture
of the dish found a great companion in the refreshing acidity of the wine.
Palate Cleanser
Green Apple
Armagnac Sorbet- Served in an alloy spoon atop crushed ice in a cocktail glass.Worked well to demagnetise the palate.
Third Course
Wine: Cattier Brut Blanc de
Noirs
Type: Non Vintage
Blend: 70 % Pinot Noir, 30
% Pinot Meunier
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Approx Retail price in Delhi: NA (currently not being imported in
India)
Accompanied Food:
Vegetarian: Provencal aubergine rollatini on a bed of stewed baby
tomatoes risotto and side of cumin spinach gnuddi.
Non Vegetarian: Slow braised lamb shanks, served with red wine Cipollini onions and rosemary thyme infused oil.
Officially, this third course was served with the Rose 1er Cru, but for
me, Cattier Blancs de Noirs stole the show- and for good reason! First, I had already tasted this wine last autumn at Maison Cattier with none other than M Cattier himself and come to know of its virtues. Second, the robust dish with which it was served on this occasion had a perfect companion in this gladiatorial wine! Incidentally, at hors
d’ouvres Philippe had indicated a ‘surprise’ inclusion in the degustation menu- and this
happened to be it, being the unannounced entry that M Cattier ferried personally
from France. This does not mean that the Rose was any less, but with Blancs
de Noirs around, it gracefully bowed out to shine fully in the ensuing
dessert course!
Tasting Notes: A pink gold colour expressing the strength harnessed
within. A complex bouquet of black currants, plums, nuts and a distinct feel of
spice. On the palate it was firm with lots of red fruits, jam and a hint of white pepper. The finish
was smooth and lingering. The steely structure of the wine stood up perfectly
to the firm and bouncy textured lamb. The medium sweetness of Cippolini onions
was a delight with the spicy traits of the wine, and so were the aromatics of
the dish that worked well with its layered complexity. It would not be an
exaggeration to state the likeness of the pairing to “brick and mortar”
!
Fourth Course (Dessert)
Wine: Cattier Rosé Glamour
Type: Non Vintage
Blend: 30 % Pinot Noir, 60
% Pinot Meunier, 10% Chardonnay
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Approx Retail price in Delhi: Rs 5600.00
Accompanied Food
Caramelised Butter petit pots with almond tuille, side of coddled
summer fruits and vanilla pod freeze.
Tasting Notes: A clear, beautiful salmon pink colour with aromas of
strawberries, black currant and toast. A fresh and lively palate of abundant
red fruits accompanied by a smooth, lingering finish. A residual sugar content
of 25 gms per litre classifies it in the Sec
(Dry) category thereby giving the
richness for pairing with a fresh dessert like the one above. Worked quite well
with the creamy, mildly sweet, nutty and fresh nature of the dessert.
The dinner concluded with an aromatic
espresso accompanied by hand made
chocolates and the celebrated artiste Peter Mehta rendering Big Mountain’s
sonorous- “Ooh Baby baby it’s a wild world“ with lilting piano notes. “A' Bientôt- Au Revoir”- bade Philippe before
I made a promise to Monsieur Cattier for a rendez-vous encore… maybe in France..
maybe in India!
