Coming Home to Champagne!

By the time most of you read this, I will be on a plane from Paris to Houston, heading home after three long weeks away. Normally, seeing my wife, son, and of course, dog, after such an extended time apart would be enough to have me looking forward to the plane ride back (I am not a big fan of air travel). But this time I have extra incentive. This Friday and Saturday (October 17-18), La Fête de Champagne comes to Houston. It is a pretty big event and it only happens in H-Town (i.e., Houston) and some over-hyped city on the East Coast that claims to “never sleep”. This year, I have been invited to attend two events: La Fête Tasting on Saturday afternoon and La Fête Dinner on Saturday evening. To put it mildly, I am pretty excited. As a Certified Champagne Snob™ (there is actually no such thing, but if there were, I would most certainly be one), just looking at the list of producers that are pouring at the various events induces a flood of drool that is on the verge of embarrassing. So, I am going to do what I rarely (never?) do. I am going to cut and paste the press release for the event. There are still a few tickets available and these events are not to be missed. Yes, they are pricey but they appear to be worth it. I will post about the event after I have recovered. Here is the press release from the folks at La Fête de Champagne (all info is also available on the Official Fête du Champagne website):

LA FÊTE DU CHAMPAGNE RETURNS TO HOUSTON TO CELEBRATE FRANCE’S ICONIC BUBBLES

The World’s Premier Celebration of Champagne Sparkles in Space City this October

Champagne, the premier celebration of the wines of the Champagne region created by Champagne expert and author Peter Liem and world-renowned sommelier Daniel Johnnes, returns this October 18-19 with its immersive series of events, tastings and dinners, showcasing the world’s finest Champagnes and Houston’s most acclaimed restaurants. Powered by Pressoir, the organization behind the top French wine festivals in the country, La Fête du Champagne, which marks its 10th anniversary in New York this year, brings together Champagne’s top producers – from the most prestigious houses to boutique cult growers and everything in between – through a program of tastings, seminars, intimate dinners and collaborations with top chefs.

“Houston has such an exciting food and wine scene – and we were thrilled to bring La Fête here in 2023,” says Johnnes. “My team at Pressoir can’t wait to come here again in furtherance of our mission to share the unique world of French wine and culture with American wine lovers. Our collaboration with Chef Aaron Bludorn and our exquisite participating producers is sure to result in unforgettable experiences for everyone involved.”

Pressoir has released its 2024 schedule of events, each of which is curated by Liem, Johnnes and the Pressoir team:

Laurent-Perrier Grand Siècle – The Art of Assemblage

Lunch with Edouard Cossy, Global Director of Grand Siècle

Friday, October 18, 12pm

Navy Blue, 2445 Times Boulevard, Houston

$425 + tax; ticket

Laurent-Perrier believes the art of assemblage can create the impossible – a perfect year, which is what defines their top Champagne Grand Siècle, each of which is a blend of three complementary vintages. Taste through 10 of Laurent-Perrier’s wines and vintages – including 6 examples of Grand Siècle, including a comparison of Iteration No. 23 in bottle and in magnum, as well as late-disgorged “Les Réserves” magnums of No. 20 – with Edouard Cossy to discover the house’s philosophies. The wines will be paired with Chef-Owner Aaron Bludorn and Executive Chef Jerrod Zifchak’s seafood-forward cuisine.

Lanson – A Journey Back in Time

Dinner with Lanson Chef de Cave Hervé Dantan

Friday, October 18, 6:30pm

Bludorn, 807 Taft Street, Houston

$725 + tax; ticket

Experience the glories of mature Champagne with one of Champagne’s oldest Grand Marque houses. Founded in 1760, Lanson is well known for the remarkable aging of its wines, influenced by the winemaking style of blocking malolactic fermentation and thoughtful, precise blending of only the best Grand Cru fruit. Chef de Caves Hervé Dantan will take guests on a journey through 10 Lanson Champagnes – from younger wines to some of the best vintages of the 20th century, each poured from magnum. Owner Aaron Bludorn and Executive Chef Alejandra Pena will create an expertly paired tasting menu for the evening at the newly opened Bar Bludorn in Houston’s Memorial neighborhood.

La Fête Tasting

Saturday, October 19, 12-2pm

Bludorn, 807 Taft Street, Houston

$175 + tax; ticket

Discover the magic of the terroir of Champagne – from the Côte des Blancs, through the Vallée de la Marne, to the Montagne de Reims – as you explore a selection of wines from the eight participating producers – each hand-selected by Liem, Johnnes and the Pressoir team based on their extensive relationships throughout Champagne – alongside a selection of bites from Chef-Owner Aaron Bludorn in his eponymous restaurant.

La Fête Dinner

Saturday, October 19, 6:30pm

Bludorn, 807 Taft Street, Houston

$725 + tax; ticket

The grand culmination of La Fête du Champagne, the festival’s Gala Dinner celebrates the region like no other. Chefs Aaron Bludorn, Chase Voelz and their team will create a uniquely luxurious multi-course menu that exquisitely celebrates the wines of Champagne. In addition to enjoying special bottles provided by each attending producer, guests are also invited to bring bottles from their own cellars to share throughout the room. Wine service will be conducted by an all-star team of sommeliers led by the La Fête team and Bludorn’s Wine Director, Molly Austad.

La Fête du Champagne Houston’s participating winemakers are:

Delamotte • Dom Pérignon • René Geoffroy • Lanson • Laurent-Perrier • A. Margaine • Famille Moussé • Vilmart & Cie

For more information and updates, follow La Fête on Instagram or visit the Official Fête du Champagne website.