With summer now seeming like a distant memory your thoughts my nostalgically turn back to cool, refreshing glasses in the warm sun of this summer… If your tipple of choice is Champagne, then you want to make sure it hits the spot of flavour and chill factor. Luckily, Moët has you covered and who better to tell us about how and why than the man who invented the ‘Champagne on ice’ category. Here, Chef de Cave Benoît Gouez introduces you to the…
The Moët Ice Impérial 1, 2, 3…
1. Why ‘Ice’?
When Moët & Chandon Chef de Cave Benoît Gouez noticed people drinking Champagne on ice (also known as a ‘piscine’) a few years ago, he became increasingly concerned how much this would break the balance of the, generally, Brut Champagnes they were choosing.
Proving their pioneering nature, in 2011 Moët & Chandon and Benoît created Ice Impérial – a demi-sec Cuvée deliberately produced to be served ‘on the rocks’.
2. The Ice Touch
Moët Ice Impérial Blanc NV has been vinified by Benoit Gouez to retain the fruitiness, richness and freshness of its Brut counterpart when served on ice.
“I select wines specifically for what they bring to the party,” he says. “Around 20-30% of the assemblage is of selected reserve wines to round out the assemblage by enhancing its intensity, richness and consistency. But it is the dominance of Pinot Noir and Meunier in the blend that really gives this Champagne a richness that the presence of ice actually amplifies.”
For Benoît, it is the dosage that is paramount for his Ice Cuvée. “This has been deliberately and carefully chosen to give the wine its structure and personality, and to help create and maintain the Champagne’s perfect balance when it meets ice cubes.” In Ice Impérial Blanc the dosage is 45g/l.
3. The Ice Serve
Benoît Gouez recommends using three sizable ice cubes, and a large Moet Ice glass – available in the our gift sets below – for perfect Ice Impérial serve, creating just the right ratio between water and wine.
So if you want to lighten your winter mood with the ultimate summer reminder or you have a special person who deserves this check out our limited edition Liquor Library Moet Ice gift sets below for a wonderful deal on a bottle and two of the Moet branded perfect serve glasses!
