Lanson parties like it’s 2009

Champagne Lanson celebrated its 250th anniversary at The Ritz in London last week, where guests enjoyed a private room dinner in the company of Lanson’s president Philippe Baijot.

The Champagne house has further commemorated its creation in 1760 by launching its Extra Age Brut cuvée, and by releasing The Little Black Book of Champagne.

At the Ritz dinner, Baijot explained the heritage of the house of Lanson to guests, describing how it is the only Champagne house to continually hold the Royal Warrant, which it has held since 1860, when it was awarded by Queen Victoria.

Preceding Baijot’s speech, Queen Elizabeth II sent her good wishes and apologies for her lack of attendance in a letter read out by Christopher Pickup LVO, OBE.

Paul Beavis, managing director of Lanson International UK, entertained guests with stories of the history of the Ritz and of the importance of Lanson’s house style, particularly with reference to the lack of malolactic fermentation in its cuvées.
 
The six-course dinner was accompanied by seven Lanson wines, including a 1976 which remains in remarkably youthful condition and which was introduced to the dinner guests by Tom Stevenson.

The food and wine combinations at the dinner were:
Terrine of chicken and goose liver with Lanson Extra Age
Cornish crab salad with ginger scented jelly, lovage and celery Vichysoisse with Lanson Noble Cuvée Brut 1998
Delice of turbot with oyster and vegetable blanquette Champenoise with Lanson Noble Cuvée Blanc de Blancs 1998
Fillet of veal with sweetbread ravioli and mushroom purée with Lanson Noble Cuvée Brut 1995 in magnum
Beaufort with walnut and truffle salad with Lanson Gold Label 1998
Soufflé Rothschild with raspberries with Lanson Vintage 1976 in magnum
The Lanson Brut Rosé Label finished off the evening’s dinner.

Champagne Lanson’s extra birthday celebrations included the launch of the Extra Age Brut which took place at Vinexpo in Bordeaux earlier this year. The wine is said to be a recreation of the style of Champagnes that were produced by Lanson during the 19th century, and is composed of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and without using malolactic fermentation.

Lanson has also written The Little Black Book of Champagne which informs Champagne drinkers of various Champagne miscellany, including production information and anecdotal details such as listing Champagne startlets, of which Marilyn Monroe, Princess Margaret and Kate Moss all make the grade.

Jane Parkinson, 17.12.2009