Come quickly, I am drinking the stars…

New Year’s Eve holds a certain magic for me. It is one of my favorite occasions. It is a new beginning and a fresh start. The trials and tribulations of the previous year simply dissolve into the past. Everything is left behind and washed away with a glass of champagne and a kiss at midnight. I love the symbolism, but mostly, I love the champagne.

I rang in the New Year at the Wine Loft. Perrier Jouët sponsored our celebration. Fleur de Champagne is the cuvee de tête by Perrier Jouët and one of my personal favorites. It is actually the reason I got into the wine business in the beginning. I fell in love with the wine. Founded in 1811 by lovers Nicholas Perrier and Adèle Jouët, the wine has become a symbol for romance and love. The champagne house was an instant success exporting their wine to England, America, and Russia where the heads of State and Royalty enjoyed the champagne. It was ever present on the table of Napolean III. In 1854 Perrier Jouët was the first to make the now favored Brut style. The beautiful bottles with hand painted anemone flowers by famed Art Noveau artist Emile Gallé were first introduced in 1902. The first vintage of La Belle Epoque as the Fleur is known in France, a Brut style, was the 1964 vintage. It was released in 1969. Perrier Jouët Fleur de Champagne Brut is a classic blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. Perrier Jouët also makes Fleur de Champagne Rosé and the amazing Fleur de Champagne Blanc de Blancs which is pure Chardonnay.

I drank a few glasses of Fleur last night. The Fleur is the pinnacle of elegance and style in luxury champagnes. I love Dom Perignon and Tattinger but Fleur has my heart. The nose presents a very fine yet subtle perfume of freesia, gardenia, white rose petals, and ripe white peaches. On the palate the tiny, firm bubbles explode with luscious guava, pink grapefruit, lemon chiffon and a sprinkling of ginger. The acidity is well balanced with the body and flavor profile of the wine. It is truly exquisite.

My favorite wine salesman, Charles, brought a group of his friends in to drink champagne and celebrate. We drank a few glasses of the PJ Brut together. It was delicious. Perrier Jouët Brut is a lovely, feminine style champagne with fine, golden bubbles and a delicate nose of white flowers, spring blossoms, and peaches. The wine has a pronounced acidity that glides over your tongue with notes of crushed hazelnuts, apricots, green apples, and minerality. It pairs well with briny oysters, succulent mussels, caviar, and salty, golden, warm, french fries. Last night it paired really well with a champagne flute, a gorgeous man, and a kiss at midnight.