A sparkling night – Celebrating Pol Roger Champagne
On October 15th, 2019, guests were invited to a very special evening, the celebration of Pol Roger Champagne. The cocktail reception and dinner was hosted by Hubert de Billy, 5th generation heir to one of the most popular champagne brands in the world.
The event took place at the One Hotel Brooklyn Bridge where even well-travelled guests were visibly impressed with the extraordinary views and setting. Upon entering the rooftop, everybody was provided with a glass of sparkling champagne which guaranteed that guests could enjoy the setting with a more than appropriate aperitif.
This aperitif was then followed by a very elaborate dinner served in an intimate setting in a private room inside the hotel’s restaurant. While the spotlight of the night was clearly taken by the various courses of delicious Pol Roger that were paired with each dinner course, the food didn’t fail to impress either.
Already the expansive cheese platter with season-appropriate pumpkin brioche, served as arrival course, didn’t fail to exceed expectations. The following varieties of meat, salmon, pappardelle and vegetable plates were only topped by the desert course which came in the form of a complex symphony of citrus cheesecake, deconstructed campfire s’mores and sticky toffee pudding.
Another highlight of the night was provided by Hubert de Billy himself who told various engaging stories about the history and evolution of Pol Roger. Many of those were, as expected, centered around Winston Churchill who was arguably the first and most vocal advocate of Pol Roger. According to Churchill, Pol Roger is “the world’s most drinkable address” which also led to the champagne brand being featured in the movie Darkest Hour.
However, even after Churchill’s death, Pol Roger is still celebrated by various English political figures. Accordingly, Pol Roger Brut Reserve Non Vintage was supplied at both Prince Harry and Prince William’s wedding receptions, and Pol Roger is one of the only houses to be appointed as an official supplier to the Royal family.
Hubert de Billy also emphasized the deep connection between Pol Roger and Brooklyn Bridge that particularly raised attention since the discovery of 27 Pol Roger bottles that survived time and the fatal collapse of the Brooklyn Bridge vault in 1900. The vault is closed to the public since 2001 but photos still clearly show the Pol Roger logo inside the facilities.
In the future, the champagne brand expects even more growth and international recognition which, judging from this first-hand taste, shouldn’t pose any difficulties.
Photos courtesy of Pol Roger
