Now this half bottle is handy if you wish to toast yourself. Pol Roger is one of the world's power house champagne houses. Famously quoted by the likes of Winston Churchill and the champagne of choice for Her Majesty the Queen. An equal blend of chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier, with addition of 20% reserve wines. It is impressively fresh and vivacious with more depth than most aperitif styles.

Located on the east side of Santorini island between Kamari and Monolithos hamlets, Gaía Winery is a beautiful example of the rich history of the area. The building, which was once a tomato factory from the early 1900s, has been restored with love and transformed into a cutting-edge winery. GAIA takes pride in preserving their heritage, and the industrial stone building is a perfect example of this. Gaía's state-of-the-art equipment and facilities provide ideal conditions for producing high-quality wine. At Gaia Wines, the founders, Yiannis Paraskevopoulos and Leon Karatsalos, embody the Greek spirit of travel and lifelong learning. Their expertise in agriculture and enology has allowed them to create wines that speak to the ancient secrets of the Greek land. The Ammonite symbol, a fossil from the Aegean Sea, has become a symbol of their brand, representing their commitment to exploring the depths of Greek terroir. Gaía's Agiorgitiko and Assyrtiko wines have travelled the world, carrying the name of Gaia Wines with them. They strive to offer wine lovers the best possible experience, each in their unique way. Santorini boasts a quintessential Mediterranean climate, characterized by warm temperatures, low rainfall and high humidity during the growing season. However, the area is also prone to strong winds coming off the ocean, which can pose a threat to the vines and grapes if they are not trained low to the ground for protection. Adding to the challenge, the vineyard soils of the region are notoriously poor, composed of volcanic ash and rocks. Nevertheless, the calcareous subsoils are porous, which helps to retain some of the humidity in the air and release it as moisture in the night for the vines to use. One of the standout grape varieties of the region is Assyrtiko, a classy white grape that is possibly one of the greatest varieties found in the Mediterranean basin. Originating from Santorini, it has since spread all over Greece and become one of the most important native varietals in terms of quality. Assyrtiko mainly produces dry white wines, some of which are aged in oak, but a number of sweet wines are also made from sun-dried grapes. A unique and special aspect of vine pruning on Santorini is the Santorini “kouloura,” also known as the “wreath” or “basket” method. The origins of this technique are lost in time, but it has been perfected to such an extent that it not only provides the most suitable way of training the vines but also gives them the appearance of natural works of art. Since 2009, Gaia has been submerging approximately 500 bottles of their Thalassitis off the east coast of Santorini each year. The wines are left to age in the depths of the ocean under exceptional conditions of stable temperatures, away from light and unaffected by oxygen. At 20 meters deep, an underwater cellar is formed, which at any given moment hosts four consecutive vintages of Thalassitis. The first attempt in 2009 saw only three bottles returned to the surface fully intact. Subsequent attempts with the 2010 and 2011 vintages saw 258 and 141 bottles survive, respectively. Unfortunately, the depth of 30 meters proved too ambitious, and the high pressure damaged the majority of the bottles from both the 2012 and 2013 vintages. Following these challenges, the winery adjusted the depth of submersion and the corks used, resulting in better-than-expected outcomes. The 2015 and 2016 vintages respectively “returned” 407 and 497 intact, incredible bottles. As with every past vintage, the outcome of the four-year-long stay in the underwater cellar is impressive. The outcome of the four-year-long stay in the underwater cellar is truly impressive, as with every past vintage. Thalassitis Submerged wine has a unique smoky aromatic dimension and a hydrocarbon note that gives it a rounder and evolved impression. Despite its misleading youth in colour, there is no sign of oxidation. This rare "hybrid" wine balances between youth and maturity, offering a bone-dry taste, strong character and a full-bodied, well-structured mouthfeel with crisp acidity, distinctive minerality and delicate honeysuckle aromas. To fully appreciate the wine's depth and complexity, it is best to decant it for 30 to 60 minutes before serving. Thalassitis Submerged pairs well with seafood, fish, shellfish, or even lamb stewed in lemon sauce, generally with flavours of moderate intensity where salt, sour or oil predominate. The wine has a medium golden colour and a nose that testifies to its marine origin. Intense aromas of petrol, grapefruit, citrus, lemon, honey and peach, dressed with sea breeze notes, create a unique and unforgettable experience. The mouthfeel is shockingly dense and expressive, with a rich body and sharp acidity. With just one sip, the whole range of yellow and green citrus fruits, along with generous doses of wet stone and smoke, are spread on your palate. In 2018, the vintage was characterized by extremely condensed wines, with very high acidities and incredible structure due in part to the extremely low yields. The relatively cool temperature of the days of harvest gifted the wines with bright and fresh aromas of citrus, stone fruit, tropical fruit, and white flowers that were more intense and complex than usual.

Intense aromas of crème brûlée, dried pineapple, and botrytis-kissed apricot fill the senses, accented by a hint of vanilla and blossom. The taste is profoundly rich and full-bodied, yet exquisitely fresh, delivering layers of honeyed pear, sweet spices, and a mineral complexity that extends into a seemingly endless, harmonious finish.

The origin of the House dates back to 1812, created by André Michel Pierlot, it will take the name of Veuve Laurent-Perrier when Mathilde Emilie Perrier, widow of Eugène Laurent decides to combine the two family names while she ensures the development. Eugénie Hortense Laurent, his daughter, inherited the House in 1925 and sold it to Marie-Louise de Nonancourt, née Lanson, in 1939. Laurent Perrier La Cuvée comes from the purest grape juice and it alone allows Laurent-Perrier to craft La Cuvée, a champagne of great finesse and a beautiful freshness obtained after a long ageing process in our cellars. Laurent-Perrier’s style and personality are defined by its very high proportion of Chardonnay. Purity, freshness and elegance – essential characteristics, expressed in this champagne – are a good introduction to the spirit of the House.

Champagne Bollinger is a prestigious and renowned champagne house that has been producing exceptional sparkling wines since 1829. Founded by Athanase, Paul and Joseph, the house quickly gained a reputation for excellence. Over the years, successive generations of the Bollinger family continued to uphold the tradition of producing exceptional champagnes. The acquisition of prime vineyards and the marriage of Jacques Bollinger to Lily Bollinger were significant milestones in the house's history. Lily Bollinger played a crucial role in preserving the quality and integrity of the champagnes during challenging times. Champagne Bollinger remains family-owned and is known for its commitment to traditional winemaking methods, resulting in complex and age-worthy champagnes. Located in the heart of the Champagne region in France, Bollinger is known for its commitment to quality, tradition and craftsmanship. One of the distinctive features of Bollinger champagne is its use of a high proportion of Pinot Noir grapes in the blends. This gives their champagnes a unique richness and depth, setting them apart from other houses. Bollinger carefully selects grapes from its own vineyards and trusted partner vineyards, ensuring that only the finest grapes are used in the production process. Bollinger takes pride in its traditional winemaking methods, which have been handed down through generations. The champagnes are aged for an extended period, well beyond the minimum requirements, allowing them to develop complexity and character. This dedication to time-consuming aging is a testament to Bollinger's commitment to producing exceptional wines that stand the test of time. Bollinger's commitment to quality extends to every aspect of their production, from the vineyards to the cellars. They have their own cooperage, ensuring that the barrels used in the aging process are of the highest quality. The champagnes are aged in cool dark cellars allowing them to mature gracefully and develop their signature flavors. Bollinger stands out among Champagne houses for its exceptional approach to reserve wines. Instead of storing them in tanks, Bollinger bottles the reserve wines, allowing them to age in magnums for several years. This unique process, called "prise de mousse," stabilizes the aromas of the wines. These reserve wines provide a rich palette of aromas for the Cellar Master to create blends with explosive yet subtle and precise flavors. The result is Bollinger's incomparable character and consistent quality in their wines year after year. Bollinger R.D. is an extraordinary wine that stands apart from the rest. It undergoes a unique aging process on the lees for an extended period before being hand-disgorged. The result is a powerful and rare vintage that showcases a beautiful contrast between an exceptional freshness on the palate, enhanced by the extra-brut dosage, and the aromatic intensity of the greatest vintages. In the case of the 2007 vintage, Bollinger R.D. takes a nostalgic turn, returning to its roots and historic label. The original material and legendary font from the 1952 vintage have been restored, proudly displaying the date of disgorging. This attention to detail and authenticity is a true rediscovery. The blend of the 2007 vintage consists of 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay, featuring an impressive 91% Grands Crus and 9% Premiers Crus. A total of 14 crus are carefully incorporated into the blending process. Fermentation takes place entirely in oak barrels, adding depth and complexity to the wine. Bollinger R.D. is released for sale just a few months after disgorgement, with an extremely low dosage known as "extra brut" at only 3 grams per litre. This recent disgorgement ensures that the wine maintains its remarkable freshness. Bollinger R.D. 2007 1.5L Magnum offers intense shimmers of gold, captivating the eye. On the nose, it reveals a complex profile with enticing aromas of honey and brioche. These initial notes are followed by a delightful array of spices, including ginger, cumin, caraway and more. As the wine evolves, it unveils additional layers of flavour, with hints of mirabelle plum, dried apricot and fresh hazelnut. Upon tasting, Bollinger R.D. 2007 1.5L presents a lively and clean opening, showcasing notes of white plum, walnut and aniseed. Its freshness is truly remarkable, creating a beautiful tension on the palate. To fully appreciate the wine's unique style, it is recommended to serve Bollinger R.D. at a temperature of 8°C, allowing its aromas to evolve throughout the tasting experience. There are two distinct experiences when enjoying Bollinger R.D. The first involves tasting the wine shortly after disgorgement, offering a specific aromatic range with complex fruity notes. Alternatively, one can choose to cellar Bollinger R.D. for several more years, allowing it to mature and reveal the depth of aromas typically found in the finest vintages.

Dom Pérignon is the most famous Champagne in the world, and for good reason. The bouquet sparkles with delicate fresh violets in a setting of white peaches. The soft delicate flavours continue while the senses are tickled by the most delicate of fine bubbles. Though this is such a fine delicate wine, the complexity is astounding, along with its length. Stunning.