Private Champagne Bureau’s Grand Tasting at the Westin St. Francis

I had received an invitation to the Champagne Bureau’s Grand Tasting, taking place May 25th in San Francisco. Over 30 exclusive Champagne houses and growers were there, having the opportunity to meet Thibaut Le Mailloux, the new Communications Director at the CIVC and a number of the Center for Wine Origins and Champagne Bureau staff.
This event took place at the Westin St Francis Hotel in San Francisco. This was a rare occasion for me to get closer to the reality of Champagne, not just the diversity of flavors presented at the tasting, strengthening my belief and support for their campaign in defense of the terroir. Houses such as Taittinger, Lanson, Canard Duchene, among others, shared generously some of their best samples with more than 200 guests.In the picture below I am with Sonia Smith, Center for Wine Origins Director and my wife Angela.