British Bubbly in Beijing: New Year’s Eve with Chapel Down Pinot Reserve

January 1, 2013 Champagne / Sparkling Wine 0

chapel down switch-001
I’m guessing this was the only Chapel Down opened in Beijing all night…

By Jim Boyce

English sparkling wine maker Chapel Down last appeared on this blog due to its presence ringside at White Collar Boxing in Beijing. This time it again pops up on a special occasion: we opened a bottle of Pinot Reserve 2006 at the New Year’s Eve party at Switch! restaurant last night.

As usual, people were surprised to try such a tasty wine from England — it also helped that the rockabilly band had us all in a good mood — though they still tended to favor the featured Champagne of the night, Deveaux, with its biscuit-y aroma.

Let’s see if anyone will start importing this or other English bubblies to our fair city….

riemy borres wan of redstar with chapel down english sparkling wine at switch new year eve party beijing china (1)
Riemy Borres Wan of Redstar Communications models the bottle / contemplates life.
ian burns of beijing beatles and restar with chapel down english sparkling wine at switch new year eve party beijing china (2)
Ian Burns, a.k.a. Don Lemon of The Beijing Beatles, sings an ode to the bubbles.
Campbell Thompson of Wine Republic, importer of the featured Champagne on this night -- Deveaux -- keeps an arm's length away from the Chapel Down.
Campbell Thompson of Wine Republic, importer of the featured Champagne, Deveaux, keeps an arm’s length away from the Chapel Down.

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