Essi Avellan MW showcases her top grower Champagnes – Thursday 8th May (Non-member)

Essi Avellan MW seemingly spends her life tasting Champagne and sparkling wine – to the extent that fellow Master of Wine Tim Atkin says she ‘probably knows more about sparkling wines than anyone else on the planet’.

We’re thrilled, then, to welcome Essi back to the Club for a session on one of the subjects closest to her heart – grower Champagnes. In particular, Essi will focus on Blanc de Blancs renderings, showcasing not just the approach and character of various individual growers, but also the influence of the subregion – an element that is often overlooked when it comes to Champagne.

How do wines from Montgueux differ from those from Montagne de Reims? Does the grand cru of Bouzy live up to its name? And why has the Côte des Bars become so reputed in recent years?

Finland’s first Master of Wine, Essi Avellan is the author of Club Oenologique’s Champagne Report, sits on The World of Fine Wine’s tasting panels, is a panel chair at the International Wine and Spirit Competition and a jury member at the Champagne and Sparkling Wine World Championships. The author of several wine books, she has revised and extended the 3rd and 4th edition of Tom Stevenson’s award-winning Christie’s World Encyclopedia of Champagne and Sparkling Wine.

We encourage you to join her for what should be an enlightening evening – one in which we can guarantee you’ll learn something (as well as taste some fantastic fizz…)

The wines we will be tasting:
NV Domaine Alexandre Bonnet, Blanc de Blancs, Extra Brut (Côte des Bar)
NV Jacques Lassaigne, Les Vignes de Montgueux, (Montgueux)
2015 Huré Frerès 4 Elements Chardonnay (Montagne de Reims)
2019 Pierre Paillard, Les Mottelettes, Bouzy Grand Cru (Montagne de Reims)
NV Henriet-Bazin, Blanc de Blancs, Extra Brut (Montagne de Reims)
NV Dhondt-Grellet, Cramant Grand Cru, Blanc de Blancs (Côte des Blancs)
2016 Larmandier-Bernier, Terre de Vertus (Côte des Blancs)
Barrat Masson, Les Margannes, (Côte de Sézanne) (vintage TBC)

Thursday 8th May
St. James’s Room
18:30 – Welcome reception
19:00 – Masterclass begins
20:30 – Masterclass ends

Please note that we now offer a tasting board of charcuterie, cheese, olives and smoked crispy chickpeas to accompany your tasting. Simply select your preferred option from the dropdown menu when you book your tickets.

Please note, tickets are refundable for cancellations up to 5 days before the event. Cancellations must be made in writing to [email protected]. Any cancellations within 5 days of the event are non-refundable unless 67 Pall Mall resells the ticket to another Member. This is only possible when the event is sold out and there is a waiting list.

Please note that once your order is placed, your ticket status will display as “processing” until after the event, when your member account is then charged. You will receive an email confirmation after ordering your tickets, stating that your order is being processed – please take this as full confirmation that your booking has been finalised. For any questions, please reach out to [email protected].