Of Wine and Waterford (3 of 4)

Of Wine and Waterford: Part III - Champagne

I once again begin another installment of our "wine world" exploration (and more specifically Champagne) by asking a question...

What’s in a name?

Think about the last time you had a sip of crisp, champagne. Maybe you toasted a blissful newly wedded couple at a wedding reception. Perhaps it was in the form of a refreshing mimosa during a delightful Sunday brunch or you had a glass over a candlelit dinner at the end of a romantic evening. In most cases what many people were enjoying wasn’t actually champagne - it was more than likely “Sparkling Wine”.

Champagne, like many things in life, was invented as a happy accident. The discovery was made by French Benedictine monks Dom Pierre Pérignon (1639 – 1715) and Frère Jean Oudart (1654 – 1742) in a beautifully lush region of France called Champagne. The region’s climate, with its short and cool growing season, along with a process that involved a secondary fermentation period resulted in the creation of those signature tiny bubbles in the wine. For hundreds of years since the monk’s invention the name "Champagne" has been associated with (and marketed as) wine processed to have bubbles. Although the method of creating carbon-dioxide bubbles in wine has been duplicated for centuries, in order to be consider true “Champagne” the wine must be made in the Champagne region of France – otherwise, it should just be considered “Sparkling Wine”.

Coupe or Flute:

Traditionally there are two shapes of champagne glasses – Coupe and fluted. The Coupe or Saucer style glass features a small, wide bowl-shape with low sides. Legend has it that the Coupe-style glass was molded to resemble the breast of Marie Antoinette. This style of glass was very en vogue with society crowds in the 20’s but slowly lost popularity beginning in the late 70’s and early 80’s. Over the past few decades the Coupe or Saucer champagne glass has taken a back seat to the Flute Champagne glass however; progressive designers like Marc Jacobs have given it their un-mistakable twist by re-inventing the look (see Left, David Champagne Saucers).

Perhaps it’s the long, graceful lines which allow the delicate bubbles to dance and race upward the glass but the tall, narrow Fluted glass currently remains the most popular style of champagne glass. Although most Fluted glasses flair at the top (as seen in the Engraved Lismore Toasting Flutes, Right) Fluted glasses may also possess an elongated tulip shape. The longer surface of the Fluted glass offers space for exquisite designs to be cut into crystal.

Trend alert!

As "Jewel-tones" continue to be the hot color trend this year creative designers may find new inspiration in the vibrant color palate of crystal Flute stemware offered by Waterford. Dazzling crystal Flutes in Ruby, Sapphire, and Smoky Topaz allow designers to add brilliant, shimmering hues to complement gorgeous table-scape concepts. To see the full range of Waterford Flutes and Saucers visit http://www.waterford.com . As always, free to contact me with your event design questions.

Of Wine and Waterford (2 of 4)

Of Wine and Waterford: Part II - White Wines

As we continue exploring the "wide world of wines" I'd like to start with a quick question...

True or False

"White Wine comes from White Grapes and Red Wine comes from Red Grape?"

The answer is False. The truth is there are a veriety of grapes grown for different wines (each having distinct flavors and characteristics of wines) but any color grape can make red or white wine. If the skins of the grapes are left in during certain parts of the wine making process for red wine, it will give the wine a darker color. On the other hand, the grape skins are removed at a particular point in the wine making process for white wine. The result - a lighter colored wine in white wines and a heartier, deeper color wine in red wines.

Tasting the difference:

The intense taste of red wine is also thanks to something else given to red wines from the skin called Tannins. Tannins are the natural substance in grapes (especially the skins, seeds and stems) that gives it that strong, tart sensation on your tongue as you taste it. Because the skins, seeds, etc are removed in the early part of the white wine making process, white wines tend to lack Tannins and have a very difference (often crispter and lighter) taste.

As you compare white wines to red wines, reflect upon the aromas you smelled earlier – you’ll find white wines will tend to have brighter scents as well as flavors. They may include; pear, fig, melon, apple, lemon, apricot, vanilla, lavender and more. Here are few examples of Light-bodied, Medium-bodied, and Full-bodied white and what you may experience.

Shapes - White Wine Glass:

Ask someone to close their eyes and picture "a wine glass" and odds are they will envision the classic shape of a white wine glass. Traditionally this shape consists of a "tulip-shaped" container atop a tall, slender stem. The design is classic - developed to allow the wine to aerate and "breath" in the glass when swirled. One of the most famous and elegant Crystal collections offered by Waterford is the Lismore Collection. For over 50 years this collection has captured the hearts of Waterford collectors with its beautifully designed patterns and exquisite engravings. The line is recognized for its stunning crystal frames, perfume bottles, vases, and even chandeliers but it is the Lismore Crystal Stemware (example Lismore Essence White Wine, right) that truly helps to create phenomenal table-scapes.

Design Trend Alert!
There is something about the traditional look of a gracefully, long stemmed wine glass that we will always love. They seem to embody the sophisticated feeling of a formal dinning experience. However, recently we have seen a very "non-traditional" evolution in the design of wine glasses.

A new trend in stylishly, contemporary table-scapes that feature “stemless” wine glasses. Seen here (left, Lismore Nouveau Stemless White Wine Crystal) this crystal-ware innovative offers savvy event designers an opportunity to add an interesting new twist to the old formal place-setting. Available in Wine Glasses, Water Goblets, and even Champagne Glasses "Stemless" Crystal can convey a geometric, modern look to a table - adding fullness, weight and deepth to the surface of a table design. Stemless Crystal lowers the eye - allowing guests to focus on low laying centerpieces and floral designs, dramatic clusters of candles or even notice the details in luxurious linen designs, china and flatware.

These unique "stemless" glasses may be used in an unconventional formal table-scape design, causal dinning table design setting or even as decorative elements such as individual flower vases - resulting in a creative and beautiful place-setting of each guest at the table.

to be continued...

For more information on the Lismore collection and other stunning fine crystal and designer collaborations from Marc Jacobs, Robert Mondavi, and more please visit http://www.waterford.com/. Looking for ideas or have questions about entertaining, event planning or designing a breathtaking event? Feel free to contact me!