Although we hadn't planned on doing anything to celebrate the 4th of July, some friends also had no plans, so we had an impromptu BBQ in the garden. Thankfully I always have cold bubbles in the house - we started off the afternoon with a bottle from the Champagne Warehouse, Charmant Premier Cru Brut Rose. This champagne is a 40/40/20 blend of pinot noir, pinot meunier, and chardonnay and it made the most wonderful aperitif with its ripe strawberry flavour. It's a bit sweeter than the Billecart-Salmon rose that we've been drinking, but not overwhelmingly so. The only thing that would make this champagne better is my usual request - more bubbles please.
My friends very kindly also brought a bottle of Mumm Cordon Rouge , so we put it in the fridge to chill and served it for dessert with our homemade strawberry and blackberry shortcake. This champagne is a 45/25/30 blend of pinot noir, pinot meunier, and chardonnay and had an incredible richness that suited the dessert. It smelled of stone fuits on opening, and tasted of carmelised hazelnuts with the most amazing, long finish.
A bit of a shame that we didn't have any American bubbly for the holiday (although my husband did track down American beer!), but the French did give us the support we needed to gain independence so I guess their place at the table was appropriate!
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