Sparkling: The Story of Champagne is a critically acclaimed film, a glamorous love letter to the joys of champagne and English sparkling wine. It features Stephen Fry, Vitalie Taittinger, Bruno Paillard, Oz Clarke, Dermot Sugrue and the A List from the champagne and sparkling wine world.
It highlights the British connections of major champagne houses through exclusive access to Pol Roger (Winston Churchill famously drank over 40,000 bottles in his lifetime), Bollinger (appearing in 15 James Bond movies), as well as Piper-Heidsieck (Marilyn Monroe's favourite), Taittinger, Jay Z's Armand de Brignac and Cattier, Cristal and the late Queen's sparkling wine from Windsor Great Park. The film explores the legend of the French monk, Dom Perignon, who famously exclaimed "I can taste the stars" when he discovered champagne, and examines the theory that the English actually invented sparkling champagne decades before Dom Perignon. It also looks at the impact of climate change - the champagne region is gradually becoming too hot leading to the likes of Pommery and Taittinger planting vineyards in the south of England - Taittinger’s Domaine Evremond from Kent has just launched to great acclaim. The chalk soil there - best manifested by the White Cliffs of Dover - is the same as the champagne region. By exploring the origins of the drink, the film provides an affectionate look at Anglo-French relations. It was described by the New York Times as a "lush valentine to French bubbly" and the Chicago Sun Times wrote that "it's nearly impossible to watch 'Sparkling' and not suddenly have the urge to sip a glass or two."
Directed by Frank Mannion, the event will start with an exclusive champagne and sparkling wine reception at 6.30pm and a Q&A with the director will follow the screening.
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