Nicolas Feuillatte Champagne have released two new limited edition splendidly showcased
demi-sec Champagnes for the festive season -- Graphic Ice Blanc and Graphic Ice RosAaAaAeA@: generous and fruity with satisfying touch of sweetness perfectly blanaced with refreshing acidity.
Lucy asked for a sweetness guide, here it is, starting with no sugar and rising; brut nature, extra brut, brut, extra dry, sec,
demi-sec, doux.
Domestic brut and rose types both grew by 11% in value, while sales of spumante and
demi-sec styles retreated.
Ice Imperial has a higher sugar content than normal (called
demi-sec) balanced with high acidity and the delicious, tropical flavours come out best when served chilled.
The final course, Pear and Almond Tart with Chamomile Tea Whipped Cream, was served with Veuve Clicquot
Demi-Sec.
Ultra or extra brut is driest, followed by brut, extra dry, sec,
demi-sec and doux.
This permits it to make wines that range from bone dry, or sec, to moderately sweet, or
demi-sec, to lusciously sweet and nectarlike, or moelleux, all the while retaining a refreshing balance.
Finish with a flourish as you tuck into goey chocolate cake and let its comrade be Bouvet
Demi-Sec. Take your friends on a gastronomic journey and none will be disappointed.
The real toast is the wine list: more than 70 bubblies by the flute, including a great selection of
demi-sec sparklers, whose sweetness plays well with a brownie topped with peanut butter mousse.
The panna cotta was light as a feather and the almond flavor brought out some marzipan notes in the Veuve
Demi-Sec that accompanied it.
Perhaps, even more complex was the 2007 Yves Breussin Vouvray,
Demi-Sec (Chenin Blanc) from the Loire Valley in France ($ 28) with loads of floral and honey scented ripe citrus notes and delicate sweetnes.
Hosted by HBJ Wines, the evening begins at 7pm on Wednesday February 18, with a wine and canape reception, followed by a three-course dinner that has been specially paired with vintages including Rose d'Anjou 2007, Vouvray,
Demi-Sec 2007 and Domaine de la Brunely 2006.