La Fête du Champagne opens in Houston with a Pierre Paillard Lunch at Navy Blue

A Sparkling Lunch Line-up.

La Fête du Champagne made their debut in Houston this past weekend. This multi-day celebration of the premier sparkling wine region of the world will be celebrating 10 years in New York next year. The Houston festivities started with a Pierre Paillard paired lunch at Navy Blue in Rice Village where Quentin Paillard hosted, along with event creator and Champagne expert and author, Peter Liem.

Quentin Paillard talks Champagne with Double Decanted owner, Kelly Prohl.

Pierre Paillard is a Pinot Noir dominated brand from a family consisting of 8 generations of growers located in Bouzy in the Champagne region of France. The family have been producing wine for over 200 years. Quentin and his brother Antoine focus on protecting the soil by using their own organic composts and by treating the vines with biodynamic inspired natural infusions and without the use of chemical herbicides and insecticides.

In the cellar, minimal intervention is the program, no chaptalization, enzymes, artificial settling agents or cold stabilization. The wines gain elegance and balance from extended aging with some of their cuvées aging for up to 10 years before disgorgement and release. The dosage for all cuvées normally falls in the Extra Brut range (2-4g/l) resulting in authentic wines with richness, power and finesse.

The Menu and Pairings by Navy Blue.

Seafood centric Navy Blue did an excellent job with the pairings. Their sister restaurant Bludorn was the site of the very successful Saturday grand tasting event and the finale gala. 

Champagne educator and La Fête du Champagne creator with Wine Life - Houston's Sandra Crittenden.

Houston hopes to see the return of the La Fête du Champagne next year but for those with some extra cash to spare, the New York La Fête will be even better than usual as the group is already gearing up for their ten year anniversary which they expect to top all prior years, start following them on social media and Eventbrite so you can start making your plans.