Champagne Bag Vol. 4
A few bottles of Champagne to melt our souls.
By Boris · Hosted by Boris Buliga
You know those slightly goofy introductions that fill the space between the photo and the table with results? (Let's be honest - without any text, it all looks a bit bare.) I usually write them the morning after the tasting. Pre-written text tends to feel detached and out of context, as the event brings new meanings and emotions that reshape my perspective on the whole affair. This time, I knew it would be amazing - no fortune teller needed (it's enough to look at the photo above). But both wines and people have their way of surprising you (or, rather, me). When these elements combine, something magical happens, and I'm absolutely thrilled with the result. New acquaintances, my favourite bar, good friends, plenty of delicious wine... and one broken glass.
If there's any lesson to take away, I'd celebrate people's ability to voice their desires. I'm not a mind reader (as practice shows), and God gave people hands so they could message me on Telegram. Why am I emphasising this? Because this gathering happened thanks to trivial communication - people spoke up and said they wanted a tasting. Some just expressed interest, while others went as far as dropping names of winemakers they wanted to try. That's how we organised it - chaotically, hastily, with last-minute bottle swaps. But just like all beautiful things, it came together naturally and joyfully. So I'll repeat it - speak up about what you want! This is the only way for things to materialise.
As for the lineup, here's the story. I love drinking complex and interesting bottles in small groups. It allows you to truly drink (and get drunk - oh, I mean to properly savour them), discuss without rushing, and not get overwhelmed by too many different wines. I am convinced that when the group gets larger, you should duplicate bottles rather than add more varieties. Ugh, I could go on about this forever, but in short - we all really need to drink less, but make the experience more meaningful.
I knew I'd be bringing some serious Champagne producers (with the condition that these wouldn't be fresh releases). We'd be tasting blind (though I did announce the winemakers' names at the beginning of the tasting). I wanted to complement these beauties with a bottle that Serhii and I brought from France - I consider it extraordinary and worthy of attention (you can see the results for yourself). And for the welcome drink, I decided to have some fun.
The result? Fantastic! The wines were so different, so unique that it was fascinating to observe who preferred which wine and amusing to watch people guess the bottles and then genuinely struggle to pick their favourite of the night. Huge thanks to all participants who made this possible, to those who helped source these bottles, and to Lo Bar, which sheltered us, fed us, and didn't even kick us out after the broken glass incident!
The only sad part is that I don't have any more of these wines. Would've loved to keep some for longer. But we'll figure something out. So stay tuned!
Roses De Jeanne Les Ursules UR/R19 2019
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Join to read it and the restBérêche & Fils Campania Remensis 2019
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Join to read it and the restUlysse Collin Les Pierrières (2018) NV
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Join to read it and the restEgly-Ouriet Vieillissement Prolongé V.P. (d2023) NV
Vieillissement Prolongé is a Pinot Noir-dominated blend, complemented by Chardonnay, sourced exclusively from estate vineyards in Ambonnay, Verzenay, and Bouzy. These vineyards, planted in the 1970s, boast nearly 50-year-old vines rooted in chalk and limestone soils. The wine is crafted using hand-harvested grapes, fermented with indigenous yeasts in older French oak barrels, and aged for an extended 84 months in the bottle. It's presented with a low dosage of 3 grams per litre and is bottled unfined and unfiltered, showcasing the distinct character of its terroir, varietals and style.
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Join to read it and the restDehours & Fils Lieu-Dit Maisoncelle Réserve Perpétuelle 2013-2017 NV
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