Champagne Stories

Australian Champagne Guru Bernadette O`Shea has released a book about the subject that inspires her the most. Bernadette lives and breathes Champagne and has released a beautifully presented and delightfully written salute to champagne and its applications - more on the book later, first a bit of personal history.

Winner of  the prestigious Vin de Champagne award ( a unique Australian champagne challenge)  and for her contribution & authority on champagne a beneficiary of the Chevalier de l’ordre du Merite Agricole - the French equivalent of a Knighthood -  this honour can only be given on French soil so a naval vessel was diverted from its duties in the Pacific to host Bernadette’s ceremony in Brisbane. Definitely an occasion to merit a glass or two of champagne. For her services to the wine industry she’s been inducted into the ‘L’ordre des Coteaux de Champagne’. France`s  most famous champagne makers applaud her exceptional palate, profound knowledge and the enthusiasm with which she shares her knowledge -they have been known to refer to her as “Bernadette Bubbles O`Shea”

After Bernadette had her first glass of real champagne her love affair with bubbles began, so with determination to learn all she could about champagne Bernadette started on a journey that has become her life`s work as a champagne and wine educator.  She is now regarded as  a world authority on champagne. In a blind tasting she can pick not only which champagne is which - but also in which village the grapes have been grown.(Yes there really are people who can do this).

A lot of us are busy at this time of the year with the count down to the Festive Season. Champagne being renowned as the drink of celebration Bernadette is in great demand as  Champagne consultant for dinners, talks, launch of her book  etc but still took the time to talk to me via phone and when things are quieter in the New Year we will be doing our best to bring Bernadette to you via video interview. Certainly inspired me already to add more Champagne to my wish list. 

Bernadette spoke about the great ability of Champagne  to match with a wide range of foods. Acid in champagne cuts through fat and salt, bubbles move grease from mouth and cleanse the palate, a serious and versatile food wine and can be drunk throughout a meal rather than simply as an aperitif. To that oft asked question Do you have a favourite Champagne? Bernadette responded with  “It would be like choosing a favourite child which is impossible as they are all have their special attributes and characteristics and we love them all as individuals”

Champagne & Chandeliers : Grand Dining Celebrations

The book celebrates the many things Bernadette loves about Champagne, with stories, dinners and tastings. Bernadette takes us with story and images to some very famous occasions involving history, politics, romance, fashion and art. Photographs of original menus are featured from Royal Weddings to Political Summits. Bernadette with her unique knowledge  provides Champagne matches for the entire menu, telling us why they match the food and what is unique about each Champagne. The journey takes us   from the dining table of Louis XV at Versailles  to the White House . We meet Rémi Krug at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Hong Kong amongst the many other memorable  occasions. Plus profiles on 30 Champagne Houses which give us great insight into the long colourful history of Champagne.  The book has a fabulous collection of rare and privileged photographs that transport us  from aged cellar treasures of Champagne houses to fine art,  dazzling chandeliers and so much more.

Beautifully written and presented it is not a book you will want to hide away on a book shelf, but on the coffee table where you can pick it up and peruse at you leisure.

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