2020 has been an unusual year for many, not least a gentleman who lives in Lapland and relies on horsepower of the red-nosed variety.   We were very lucky to be able to grab a few minutes of his time for a quick interview. Santa, thank you so much for taking the time out of your very busy schedule to talk to Moore Champagne. We have so many questions, but we've managed to pick a few that we've just got to know the answers to – so here goes!   Q. How fast does your sleigh go?   A. Oh that's a good one. Lots of very clever scientists have spent a long time trying to ..read more

No tastings, no ASDW events (Association of Small Direct Wine Importers), no fairs, no fetes no feasts. What a strange year it has been.   In some ways it has been a relaxing not having to prepare lists and plans, not having to load up the car at 6am, not having to smile and chat all day. Give speeches. Shake hands. Pour glasses and pack away.   But. It's how we grow our customer base.  And, to be honest, I actually enjoy chatting to our customers.   Everyone here at Moore Champagne enjoys explaining how the industry works, how our producers maintain standa ..read more

The Comite de Champagne is the trade organisation established by statute to manage the common interests of growers (‘vignerons’) and Champagne Houses (négociants/producteurs’).   This year it the Comite has decided to limit the harvest to 8,000 kgs per hectare.    When discussing this with Maude Plener a week ago I was horrified to learn that this would mean that she would be leaving about 2,000 kgs per hectare to rot into the ground. Surely I said you can sell the excess, outside of Champagne. You could make grape juice with it. You could make still white wine with it.  ..read more

There’s no such thing as a free lunch!   It is not often that there is anything for free or doesn’t come with some sort of sting, bite, lure or call to action. So I have decided to keep ones customers’ minds focussed on our products by sending out some thoughts, snatches of conversation and gleanings from the press on the subject of champagne.   Climate change   There has been considerable discussion about the consequences of climate change on the Champagne region or the opportunity that now presents itself for owners of sheltered grass u ..read more

Putting the word ‘Methodology in a title might be considered a little off-putting. There is a type of person who relishes an organised structure to tasks, life, possibly even love. There are others that thrive on spontaneity, happenstance and serendipity. They will almost certainly be neither interested nor even aware of the fact that an organised approach to champagne tasting may enhance their pleasure.   If these few words act as a nudge to thinking about, ‘For what we are about to receive,’ then my efforts will have been worthwhile.   Where do w ..read more

There are many views on Rosé, not all of them positive. While the opinions of wine snobs can be valid, it’s important that you experiment and don’t get confounded by supposed established rules. Quite often they’re not based on much.   In this vein I always tell people to experiment and find what they like and not to feel embarrassed about it. Rosé Champagne is a classic example of this. Most waiters and restaurants will tell you that customers drinking Rosé Champagne will probably only have a single glass as it’s considered ‘a fun aperitif’ – something to sip and ..read more