Searcys, the historic catering company arguably best known today for its Champagne bar in St Pancras and restaurant at the top of the Gherkin, has launched its first-ever weekend dedicated to tasting fizz, which is being dubbed “The Bubbly Show”.
The two-day event, which will run this summer on Friday June 23 and Saturday 24, is aptly named. It will feature a number of exhibitors from across both Champagne and the UK, all showcasing their wines, but there will also be a number of tastings, masterclasses and talks for guests to consume. Producers set to appear include Taittinger, Pommery and Moët & Chandon, all from France, alongside with English producers Greyfriars and Gusbourne. More names are expected to be announced closer to the time.
Given the fizz-fuelled rivalry between English and French producers, one tasting — The Battle of Bubbles: England vs France — should prove particularly popular. It will be hosted by wine writer Jonathan Ray of the Spectator magazine.
Elsewhere, another high point is expected to be the sabrage lessons — where drinkers are taught to open a bottle using a sabre, a kind of small sword still used in fencing today. The session will be hosted by Searcys own head of Champagne, Martin Dibben, who will also run a talk on Sunday afternoon called Women of Champagne.
Both Friday and Saturday fun will be held in Carlton House Terrace, a John Nash-designed row just off Pall Mall, and is being hosted in partnership with the Honest Grapes wine club. Besides all the wine, there will be both a Champagne dinner and a Champagne afternoon tea offered across the two days.
Given Searcys is credit with inventing the much-copied “press for Champagne” button — which can be found in St Pancras — the weekend is likely to be a lively one.
