A Toast to Cross-Channel Harmony: Domaine Evremond Shines at Windsor

A Historic Culinary Gathering: French President's UK State Visit

Windsor Castle recently played host to a significant State Banquet, welcoming French President Emmanuel Macron on his first official visit to the United Kingdom. This grand event, the first of its kind at the castle since 2014, convened approximately 160 distinguished guests, including members of the royal family, prominent British and French political figures, ambassadors, and leaders from various industries. The evening's festivities underscored the deep diplomatic ties between the two nations.

Domaine Evremond: A Symbol of Anglo-French Collaboration

The pre-banquet reception and the official toast featured Domaine Evremond Classic Cuvée Edition I, an English sparkling wine produced through a joint venture between the renowned Champagne Taittinger and its UK importer, Hatch Mansfield. King Charles III playfully acknowledged the historical irony of serving an English sparkling wine, especially one with French champagne house lineage, at such a high-profile event, underscoring the evolution of winemaking landscapes.

The Genesis and Growth of Domaine Evremond's Excellence

Domaine Evremond, recently recognized as a Quality English Sparkling Wine, is nestled in the picturesque North Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Kent, near Chilham. The estate spans 125 hectares, with 60 hectares dedicated to vineyards, and boasts a state-of-the-art winery officially inaugurated by Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Edinburgh, in September 2024. The venture was conceived by Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger of Champagne Taittinger and Patrick McGrath MW of Hatch Mansfield, with a vision to produce an exceptional English sparkling wine that mirrors the distinctive chalky soils of southern England.

Pioneering Viticulture: Taittinger's Foray into English Terroir

In a groundbreaking move, the Taittinger family acquired the former fruit farm in autumn 2015, becoming the first Champagne house to establish vineyards in the UK, soon followed by Champagne Pommery. Domaine Evremond commenced planting its initial 20 hectares of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Meunier vines in May 2017. Subsequent plantings in 2019 added another 8.5 hectares, primarily Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, with further expansions in the ensuing years, solidifying its commitment to English viticulture.

A Culinary Journey: The Banquet's Exquisite Menu and Wine Pairings

The State Banquet's menu, meticulously curated by French chef Raymond Blanc and the Royal Household, presented a symphony of flavors. It commenced with a fresh selection of summer vegetables from the Gardens of Le Manoir, followed by a succulent Supreme of Rhug Estate chicken accompanied by Norfolk asparagus and tarragon cream. The culinary experience concluded with a delightful blackcurrant parfait set on a blackcurrant-soaked sponge with elderflower jelly. Complementing these dishes were an array of prestigious wines: Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru, Etienne Sauzet, 2022; Chateau Haut-Brion, 1er Grand Cru Classe Pessac-Leognan, 1996; and Louis Roederer, Carte Blanche, NV. To mark the occasion, guests were offered Taylor's 1977 Vintage Port and a 1948 Grande Champagne Cognac by Frapin & Co, with the vintages thoughtfully chosen to commemorate the birth years of President Macron and King Charles III.