Everything’s coming up bubbles in Los Angeles! Once again this year, The City of Angels welcomed Effervescence LA, the USA’s premier Champagne and Sparkling Wine event. The spirited three-day weekend, which took place on May 3, 4, and 5, and was presented in collaboration with Minds Matter of Los Angeles (MMLA), was a comprehensive epicurean event centered on the glory of French champagne.
The three-day affair included an incredible walk-around champagne tasting with the best bubbles of France’s glorious Champagne region, incredibly decadent gourmet meals prepared by acclaimed chefs, private tastings, master classes with world-renowned experts, and finally, to finish, an elegant champagne brunch. It was truly epic. Effervescence is proud to be the “premier American showcase for the very finest in champagne and sparkling wines.”
The celebration was launched with the Krug Collectors Dinner at 71 Above in Downtown LA. As Krug is one of the most prestigious Champagne houses in France, the Krug Collector’s Dinner was an exclusive event featuring some of the very finest and most expensive champagnes in the world. Diners savored very rare bottles and late disgorged champagnes—indeed the best of the best!
Saturday’s long-awaited Grand Champagne Tasting at The Line Hotel Los Angeles in trendy Koreatown, was a fabulous affair; a grand tasting tour of the most celebrated wine region on earth. The most exciting wines of France’s Champagne region were represented in all their shimmering glory. Revelers chatted with French winemakers and brand ambassadors in a superb afternoon of merry-making featuring champagnes from exquisite small producers and mid-size champagne houses, as well as the legendary giants of Champagne. Among the many prestigious houses represented were Dom Perignon, Krug, Ruinart, Piper-Heidsieck, and Bollinger.
In between sips of champagne, guests nibbled on cracked crab legs and jumbo shrimp cocktail, potato puffs with truffle cream, hot salty pommes frites, and coddled eggs with truffle foam. The iced fresh oysters on the half shell were a huge crowd-pleaser. Their briny goodness was a decadent and perfect pairing with Champagne!
The Master Classes were fascinating for both those familiar with the science of champagne and those who merely love to sip. Classes included a Krug tasting of six consecutive editions of Krug Grande Cuvee as well as a tasting of the impeccable Krug Vintage 2004, a compare and contrast study of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay via Champagne Bollinger and Champagne Ayala, and “The Ultimate Tasting Experience with Fromages de France,” led by world-renowned French cheese monger, Francois Robin. Each was the opportunity to be both educated and indulgent.
At the popular Fromages Masterclass, eager participants enjoyed six vastly different and divinely delicious French cheeses, paired with six beautiful Champagnes. The cheeses included the melt-in-your-mouth creamy Brillat-Savarin, the chewy and almost chocolate or toffee-like orange-hued Mimolette, and the firm Comte, laden with tiny crystals of savory amino acids. The champagnes included the biodynamically produced Suenen Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut, the slightly smoky Hure Freres “4 Elements” Chardonnay 2013 Extra Brut, and the mother/daughter produced elegant Marion-Bosser 2012 Premier Cru Brut.
The Saturday evening Gala Dinner was prepared by celebrated chefs Nancy Silverton, Dominique Crenn, and Suzanne Tracht at the popular Jar Restaurant, a modern American chophouse. Abundant champagne flowed as guests enjoyed the fine cuisine and the joyful spirit of the evening.
The weekend wrapped up Sunday morning with great cheer at the More Bubbles Brunch at festive and colorful Hedley & Bennett. The sound of champagne corks popping filled the air as the three-day extravaganza came to a close. Indeed, for champagne lovers, this was all a little piece of paradise.
If you are a lover of Champagne and sparkling wine, look for Effervescence in your city next year. Connect with the best of the bubbles for more information and updates at www.effervescenceLA.com. You won’t want to miss one moment of this action-packed weekend dedicated solely to the celebration of bubbles.
May all your happy moments be joyous, and all your pain, Champagne….
Cheers!
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