#Champagne

#Champagne

Subtly sweet and sophisticated, this sparkling beverage is the perfect cocktail option to see you into the New Year, and it provides something a little more exciting than just a plain glass of Champagne. Simple to rustle up, this beverage can be assembled in just a minute or two, and is easy to make in larger numbers - meaning you can treat your guests to an elegant tipple without any fuss.

I'm a certified sommelier, and I always keep a selection of wines on hand to serve my guests. You don't need a special reason to enjoy good Champagne or a nice Italian red wine. From grocery-store brands to small family-owned bottles, anything goes at my house. As a certified sommelier, when I entertain, I want to serve the perfect wines to match any meal, occasion, and person.

Accompanied by an expert wine guide, travelers take a scenic drive the following day through the Côte des Blancs and several Grand Cru villages for tastings at the iconic Moët & Chandon. The tour also includes a visit to the tomb of Dom Pérignon and to a charming family-run estate, where you can chat with the winemaker, wander through the cellars, and sample a generous selection of Champagnes.

Wiltons is a restaurant with a past so long and steady that it feels less like a business and more like a living narrative of London. Its history goes back to 1742, when George William Wilton sold oysters on the streets before moving into premises that would become a fixture of the city's dining life. Step inside today, and the weight of those centuries is felt immediately.

Murakami's collaboration with Dom Pérignon extends beyond decoration - it's a conversation rooted in nature. For Dom Pérignon, nature is where it begins, as well as the medium itself - the grapes, unpredictable climate, and human touch - are all encapsulated within the confines of the glass. Murakami also interprets nature through transformation - his surreal, smiling flowers and dreamlike characters capture both the natural and artificial worlds, between nature's evolution and the artist's reimagining of it.

"You never get tired of this. You can't ever take this for granted," Muncy, the Dodger third baseman said, as he clutched a lit cigar in one hand and two red Budweiser bottles in the other. "This is the whole reason that you play baseball. You want to be in this moment. "You want to play postseason baseball. And to be able to do it for as many times as I've done it, it's just truly a blessing."

Stepping into Caviar House in Piccadilly feels like entering a world where luxury and comfort meet effortlessly. Known for its caviar heritage, the restaurant does not disappoint when it comes to other delicacies either, especially its sushi and sake. The sushi is impeccably fresh and beautifully presented, each piece clearly crafted with care. Pairing it with sake elevates the experience even further, balancing the delicate flavours perfectly.

"Forget Mimosas - I'm bringing the bubbles to breakfast with a little Italian flair. The Michele Chiarlo Nivole Moscato D'Asti is my go-to. It's not your average bubbly: It's got just the right amount of fizz and a delicious blend of peach and apricot notes that taste like a lazy Sunday morning. It's breakfast in a glass and perfectly complements a fruit platter or even some pancakes. It's a fun and light way to start the day." - Anthony Gochal, restaurant director and sommelier of The Yacht Club

I do feel older, though. So, as you read this, you can be sure that I am probably quite drunk on sparkling wine. There's scarcely a better excuse than a birthday, but I think we can agree that what you're likely to be drinking at any such event will vary greatly, depending on whether or not the birthday in question is your own.

Over the last 30 years, the harvest has started almost two weeks earlier, and in a year like this one, it can be up to 20 days earlier," said Bernard Farges, president of the Comite national des interprofessions des vins.