As Xmas inexorably approaches, laying in some champagne now will ease the financial pain later. We get introduced to Mumm’s sparkling offers.

Mumm’s Cordon Rouge was the go to champagne when I first started work in advertising. The easily recognisable white label with the red sash was everywhere in the office, poking out of dustbins on every floor and filling the skips out back. Now of course it will just be empty bottles of water. And people wonder why ads today are so boring…

A blend of at least a 100 crus since 1876, the red ribbon paid homage to the Legion of Honour and when the bottle label was redesigned that element was of course retained, while the bottle overall became less brash, less 80s in look.

Mumm is a venerable brand, but its mass market appeal has often worked against it with some champagne experts being a bit sniffy. So tonight we’re being introduced to three of Mumm’s special  champagnes, RSRV Cuvée 4·5, Millesime 2016 and RSRV Rosé Foujita.

And because so much champagne is drunk with canapes at Christmas, the chefs at The Edition Hotel have come up with a selection of their finest to accompany the fizz. The tasting was hosted by G.H. Mumm’s oenologist Sabrina Roussel and Best UK Sommelier 2023 Giuseppe d’Aniello,

Mumm Cuvée 4·5

We kick off with the Mumm Cuvée 4·5 which is  Chardonnay (40%) & Pinot Noir (60%), all derived  from five Grand Cru vineyards.  Aged in cellars for four years minimum, the name of the wine stems from those characteristics: Cuvée 4·5.

The bubbles are fine and delicate, effervescent in all senses and on the nose there’s marmalade, honey, nougat and vanilla.

With it we eat Manchego and truffle arancini, Crispy potato and nori galette with kewpie mayonnaise and herb crisps,, Smoked trout dill mousse on savoury puff pastry, trout caviar, and seared fillet of beef carpaccio, whipped horseradish and mascarpone mousse. All delicious with this wine. Around £46

Mumm Millésimé 2016

2016 was a tough year for growers, but the harvest was excellent. Mumm Millésimé 2016 used only the best grapes ( 64% Pinot Noir, 36% Chardonnay) and after full malolactic

fermentation it was aged for five years in the chalk cellars beneath the city of Reims. The sweetness is reined in, hints of pear and peach,  and there is a fine creaminess and a long finish. About £45 to buy.

Canapes here were caramelised mushroom tartlet, herb emulsion, and low cooked octopus, yoghurt lemon and dill dressing on brioche crisps.

RSRV Rosé Foujita

Last up is RSRV Rosé Foujita, a blend of six Grand Cru, created as a tribute to artist, and friend of the House, Léonard Foujita who designed the Rose logo.

This vibrant  rose champagne is a blend of Chardonnays from Cramant & Avize (30%) and Pinot Noir from Aÿ, Bouzy and Verzenay.  Grand Cru red wine from Ambonnay terroir is added to the blend.

Pressed and vinified separately, these Grand Cru are then blended and  left to mature in the cellars for a minimum of four years minimum before expedition liqueur – produced from Grand Cru aged in oak barrels – adds final notes of vanilla and pastry.

A truly wonderful wine with a festive glow, it went down well with Confit duck legs, teriyaki sauce, pickled blackberry puree, and Strawberry tarts. The latter demonstrating this is a champagne that can last from starter to dessert.  Around £55 to buy.

So this Xmas move your fizz game along by choosing Mumm’s.