Drink of the Day: Pol Roger Winston Churchill

Drink of the Day: Pol Roger Winston Churchill

The Pol Roger Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill stands as a pinnacle of prestige in the world of sparkling wine. This exceptional champagne serves as a liquid homage to the British statesman who famously declared the producer's address to be the most drinkable in the world. It represents a marriage of historical legacy and the rigorous standards of one of France's most respected family-owned houses.

Company History

The house of Pol Roger was established in 1849 in the town of Aÿ by Pol Roger, who was only 17 years old at the time. Following his death in 1899, his sons Maurice and Georges took over the business and adopted the hyphenated surname Pol-Roger to honor their father. Today, the company remains one of the few major champagne houses that is still family-owned and operated, maintaining its headquarters in Épernay. The house is celebrated for its deep, historic cellars located 33 meters below street level, where the wines undergo secondary fermentation in cool, stable conditions.

Product History

Champagne Pol Roger created the Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill in 1975, a decade after the death of the man who inspired it. The blend is a closely guarded family secret, though it is designed specifically to reflect the qualities Churchill preferred in his champagne: robustness, a full-bodied character, and relative maturity. This prestige cuvée is produced only in the finest vintage years and is released later than other vintage champagnes from the house to ensure the wine has reached an ideal state of development. The production process involves two distinct settlings of the must and a full malolactic fermentation to achieve its signature balance of power and elegance.

Review

The Pol Roger Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill is widely regarded as a masterpiece of the region, consistently earning high marks from critics. Wine Spectator has awarded the 2018 vintage 97 points, while other industry experts frequently place the cuvée in the 95 to 98-point range. Averaging scores from Wine Spectator, James Suckling, and Decanter, the wine holds an impressive average rating of 96.3 points.

Serving Guide

Glassware: Tulip-shaped champagne flute or white wine glass | Serving temperature: 8 to 10 degrees Celsius | ABV: Approximately 12.5 percent

Serving Suggestions

• Serve alongside aged Parmigiano Reggiano to highlight the wine's mineral freshness.
• Pair with sophisticated poultry dishes such as stuffed capon prepared in the traditional demi-deuil style.
• Enjoy with sweetbreads cooked with morels to complement the wine's full-bodied structure.
• Allow the bottle to breathe briefly after opening to fully appreciate its complex aromatic profile.