The House of Pol Roger

Champagne Pol Roger was founded in 1849 and now owns 87 hectares of vineyards on prime sites in the Vallée d’Epernay and on the Côte des Blancs. Its cellars run for 7km and are on three levels, the deepest known as the ‘cave de prise de mousse’ at 33m below street level. As the name suggests this is where the wine undergoes its secondary fermentation in bottle. The fact that this deep cellar is at 9º or less, rather than a normal cellar temperature of 11-12º, thus prolonging this fermentation, is one contributing factor to the quality and particular style of the wines and their famously fine bubbles. During the Pol Roger Dinner at the Aldwark Arms, Pol Roger’s representative for the north of England, Jonathan Smailes will fill us in with much more background on the Pol Roger business and it’s wine making techniques.

Pol Roger Brut Réserve NV

The definitive house-style, composed from 30 still base wines drawn from at least two vintages, and the three varieties of Champagne grape, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier blended in equal portions. The Pinot Noir comes from the villages of the Montagne de Reims and contributes body and character; the Chardonnay comes from Epernay itself and the Cête des Blancs and provides lightness and elegance; the Pinot Meunier comes from the Vallée de la Marne and provides youthfulness and vigour. The perfect apéritif champagne which Pol Roger never release until it is at least three years old. We will be tasting this beautiful Champagne with canapés from 7.15 at the Pol Roger Dinner at the Aldwark Arms.

Pol Roger Vintage 1999

Pol Roger reserve their declarations of a vintage for years in which all the climatic, viticultural and winemaking components come together for the making of the finest champagne. The Pol Roger vintage Champagne blend is traditionally 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay from Grand and Premier Cru vineyards in the Montagne de Reims, the Vallée de la Marne and the Cête des Blancs. The 1999 season was characterised by warmth and rain which produced a record breaking harvest of healthy grapes. We will be tasting this delicious vintage Champagne with chicken and leek terrine with warm girolles and truffle brioche.

Pol Roger Blancs de Blancs Grand Cru 1998

A speciality of the House of Pol Roger made from 100% Chardonnay from Grand Cru vineyards in the Cête des Blancs. A sophisticated and elegant blanc de blancs Champagne which is a perfect foil for fresh fish. We will be tasting this Champagne with diver-caught king scallops.

Pol Roger Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill 1998

Sir Winston Churchill was Pol Roger's most illustrious devotee and customer. This champagne is made in his honour. The composition of the blend is a closely guarded family secret but from tasting, it is likely that the champagne features about 70-80% Pinot Noir with the remainder made up from Chardonnay. The grapes are all from Grand Cru vineyards which were under vine during Churchill's lifetime and it is only ever made in the very best vintages. It is made in a style which Churchill himself favoured: robust, mature and long-lived. We will be tasting this highly-prized Champagne with local Tholthorpe lamb, and you can rest assured that Pol Roger representative, Jonathan Smailes, will treat us to some interesting and amusing stories about the great man himself and his affection for this Champagne.

Pol Roger Rich NV

This sweeter style was reintroduced to satisfy the demand from markets where a semi-dry champagne was required to pair with desserts or wedding cake or for those with a sweeter palate. In all other regards it is a replica of the Brut Réserve. We will be tasting this dessert Champagne with lemon soufflé and candied lemon ice cream.