What’s more enchanting than sparkling wine and macarons in a French themed abode? Champagne, Crémant and Faubourg pastries were the stars of the France Bubbly Party at Ginger62 to celebrate the Vancouver International Wine Festival and its global focus on France and bubbly.
Vancouver’s wine connoisseurs and beautiful party people came out to the sexy red room decorated with lanterns and Parisien accoutrements, and mingled to the music spun by Tyson Villeneuve.
The room was inviting with luxe velvet sofas and little nooks to sit with your sweetheart or conspire with your girlfriend over flutes of effervescent joy. In the private nooks of the lounge, you can view naughty, suggestive flourishes of French culture such as gilded bird cages housing elegant golden bottles of Champagne amongst the velvet banquettes and paper lanterns with a curious saying: “Ne touché pas.” I understand that it’s derived from a French story about unrequited love.
A fun photo booth and charming roving photographers in berets captured spontaneous moments. I spied eligible bachelorettes in gaggles and distinguished older gentlemen admiring the generous pours of bubbles in the light. The oysters were a perfect accompaniment to the Champagne though there didn’t seem to be any tuna or lobster rolls as indicated on the program. However, the highlight was the colourful and decadent Faubourg pastry towers filled to the brim with miniature desserts. The famous macarons, éclair, crème brûlée, tiramisu, and Mille Feuilles were on display and elevated the atmosphere to an authentic Parisien experience.
Nine stations of Champagne and Crémant for two hours allowed me a leisurely introduction to the offerings of its various production regions in France and Alsace. The well-known Lanson Champagne showcased both Black Label Brut and White Label. Both displayed fine but persistent bubbles and crisp mouth feel. The Black Label, with Pinot Noir grapes, adds more depth. Subtle floral and honey aromas with that unforgettable dry toasty note, apple and lemon on the palate and a long finish rounded out the experience. The White Label, with Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir grapes, resonated more with me as it was softer and sweeter, yet elegant with balanced acidity. A yellow straw colour with floral and pear aromas punctuated with soft minerality delighted the senses as I took in the party.
The acclaimed house of H. Blin presented the hard-to-find Limited Edition Blanc de Blancs and Champagne Rosé. The Blanc de Blancs, a highly coveted 100% Chardonnay 2005 vintage, displayed a golden yellow colour with a honey wheat aroma, along with buttery, nutty aromas, a subtle preserved lemon note on the palate, and a full, long finish. The Rosé exhibited a striking pink with golden undertones, a nose of red fruit, vanilla almond, along with the classic brioche, herbaceous notes, and a mineral structure.
My favourite was the Domaine Zinck Crémant d’Alsace paired with the oysters. This Methodoise Champagne, with Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc and Chardonnay grapes, pleasantly surprised me with its fruity, velvety mouthfeel, a toasty aroma, and honeyed tropical fruit on the palate when paired with oysters in citrusy mignonette.
There’s more parties to be had! Don’t miss out on tasting the rare wines debuting and not presented anywhere else along with education from wine exporters and wine principals. The Vancouver International Wine Festival is on until Sunday, March 2.