Festive fizz: the pop-up in the West End
(Picture: Aldi)A pop-up has opened moments away from Claridge’s serving Champagne for £2.33 a glass.
The Veuve Champagne bar, which will only serve from its St Christopher’s Place home until 11pm on Sunday, is something of a publicity stunt for Aldi, who are behind it.
French for “widow”, the veuve in the name refers not to the famous Clicquot, but to Aldi’s Veuve Monsigny, which is produced for the supermarket by the winery Philizot & Fils. The wine, which is the traditional blend of chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier grapes, picked up a bronze award at this year’s international wine and spirit competition, offered referred to as IWSC. Priced at £13.99, Aldi claim it is the second-best selling Champagne in the country.
Besides the brut, the pop-up will serve Veuve Monsigny’s rosé offering for £2.83 a glass, Zerozecco — an alcohol-free sparkling white — for 49p a glass and Champagne cocktails from Pritesh Mody, priced from £1.09 to £2.6. Mody is perhaps best known as a drinks expert on Channel Four’s Sunday Brunch.
Julie Ashfield, managing director of buying at Aldi UK, said: “It might have shocked people to discover Aldi was behind such a great tasting glass of bubbly, but their enjoyment was no surprise to us.
“We are extremely proud of our award-winning Veuve Monsigny Champagne — it’s up there with the best bubbles available, and we hope our Champagne and pop-up bar help spread some well-deserved cheer among the public this festive season.”
