Special sushi prepared by Loni, many years in the making (you can find out why here in Loni’s account of events). And to top it off, we finally uncorked that special ‘97 Bollinger that had been eyeing us temptingly for several years.

A little chance was involved.

I just happened to be researching the right pairing for the fresh sushi rolls and sashimi we were about to enjoy. So as Loni whipped up a frenzy in our kitchen I surfed our Cellartracker software looking for the right match. I was thinking Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, or, maybe Riesling. But by chance I came across a Champagne recommendation. Of course! How perfect. We then knew it was time to pop the Bollinger.

And we would drink every drop, enjoy every moment, and savor the mystical flavors that would wash across our palettes. Sure, we were giddy with excitement. 

Part of me wondered, though, was the bar too high, the expectation so elevated because of the Bollinger reputation, that the only result would be disappointment?
Like a virtuoso, a tenor, a grandmaster, this 1997 Bollinger came through in style, and, in fact, even exceeded.

• Bollinger 1997 La Grande Année Champagne
• Rating
• 94
• Clint says:
• “Everything I could hope for in a Champagne, and with special sushi prepared by a special person. 2009 starts in style.”
• The Wine
• Champagne 12%
• The Winery
• Bollinger, Ay, Marne, France
• Category
• Wine reviews

POP!

The kitchen filled with a rush of excitement. We took in the aroma. Then poured a taster. The fine bubbles streamed to the top of our two glasses. 

Cheers!

And what a way to start the evening. Citrus. Smooth and refreshing, with a light finish. 

So far so good. Loni’s spread of sushi was equally impressive, both in plating and taste. Hmmm, geez, it was almost as if… yes… as if it had been about 5 or 6 years since this kind of sushi presentation last happened. 

Pairing this Champagne with the sushi was the right choice. Perfect, in fact. This is truly a case where the drink accentuates the food, and vice-versa. 

I still recall the vivid flavors of the hamachi sashimi dancing in my mouth as the carbonated bubbly balanced the wasabi, while accentuating the juicy, tender raw fish. Superb.

Moments to remember.

(Note: Loni successfully saved the label using “Label Lifters”, and we also kept our tasting notes which were written on a note pad from the 1950s, with a 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible adorned along the bottom, base price $2,611.)

[View Slideshow]

Clinton Stark
Co-Founder, Editor-in-Chief, Fan of Napa (and Diet Coke)

Clint co-founded StarkSilverCreek and writes about social media, arts, wine, indie film, and his trusty Droid. An aging ice hockey player, he tries in vain to direct Loni in SSC videos. Originally from Ottawa, Canada, Clint is a Silicon Valley and new media entrepreneur. From the early PC clone days in the 80’s, to the explosion of telecom and networking in the 90’s, and now to social networking, Web 2.0 and software-as-a-service, Clint has successfully built businesses and start-ups into multi-million dollar operations. Recently as VP marketing he spearheaded the launch of a $110M company. But that was then.

Twitter: @clintonstark More: articles bio

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