Perfect Pairings for a Princess : April 2023

In March 2023 I met Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal at a charity event at Merchants’ Hall, Hanover Street.

In the run up to the event, my mind started to wonder…. if I had to choose a wine to present to a Princess, what would I select? Fizz seems a fitting choice. It would be tempting to select a bottle of Nyetimber Classic Cuvee, a non-vintage English sparkling wine produced in West Sussex, England. Used at Royal weddings and celebrations, Nyetimber is a safe, tried and tested option. The Classic Cuvee is a careful blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes, the same grapes used across the Channel in Champagne. Nyetimber is available in Waitrose at £38.99 a bottle.

While English sparkling wine is lovely, I would present something less familiar and a little more unusual. I would offer a chilled glass of House of Arras, Blanc de Blanc Tasmanian Sparkling Wine, available from Harvey Nichols. House of Arras is Australia’s most awarded sparkling wine producer. The Blanc de Blanc wording tells us this wine is made from white grapes – 91% Chardonnay and 9% a top-secret grape that the producers have not revealed. The wine is rich but delicate with floral, lemon and baked bread notes.

Unfortunately, my ponderings will not be required. Princess Anne does not drink alcohol while attending events. I may have to have a glass of Tasmanian sparkling wine on her behalf!