I didn’t know what to expect from a Champagne Breakfast as I am not too fond of anything with alcohol content. I often get allergies whenever I take more than 1/4 cup of any wine. But I was eager to learn as much as I needed to know about Champagne and wines if I plan to travel to Europe with my family. Dragging Lauren with me to the Press Launch of the Sommelier Selection at the Prince Albert Rotisserie in Manila Intercon , I checked the menu of the Champagne Breakfast.
Poached Eggs Benedictine with Hollandaise sauce Asparagus and Smoked Salmom
Crepes Filled with wood mushroons and mild goat cheese gratinated with Nutmeg Milk sauce
Baguio Strawberry Sorbert
Champagne Rose
Coffee or Tea
Mignardises
I wasn’t expecting much of the launch. I expected Jerome Philippon , the speaker to drone on and on about the product. I was in for a pleasant surprise. To look at Jerome Philippon one might see a cliché; the Frenchman selling wines. Then he opens his mouth: “I am a 21st century hunter gatherer.” And the illusion falls away.
“While French winemaking is still the best in the world, I cannot say the same for our marketing prowess.” Says Mr. Philippon,
“As a result, many Filipino wine drinkers believe that the good French wines are all quite expensive and that inexpensive French wines taste terrible.”
“The truth is that you can find exquisite French wines that are very reasonable if you know where to look. Of course there is always the opportunity for indulging in a very exclusive label but most of France only drinks those on special occasions. The rest of the time they enjoy the small locally made wines.”
Technorati Tags: Champagne, wines, Champagne Breakfast
Around the world, Champagne is the drink of celebration; to be splashed about in glitzy events or popped on behalf of life’s headiest victories. For the French, though, Champagne represents something else entirely. Champagne is the ultimate aperitif to excite the taste buds served by the wealthy and the middle class alike before guests sit down at the table. “There is a caste system in France.” says Jerome Philippon of Sommelier Selection, “It is tolerated because it helps preserve parts of our culture” he continued “obviously the more elite champagnes only really grace the glasses of the society’s upper crust, but serving Champagne or sparkling wine as a pre-meal libation cuts across all social classes, whether you are in weekending in a country house or in a small apartment in Paris.” “The good news is that many of France’s more reasonable Champagnes are truly excellent. You just need to know where to look” said Mr. Philippon.
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