Did I check into a hotel purely to be able to drink my favourite champagne? The answer to that is YES!
Not only is The Midland Manchester’s most iconic hotel, they have partnered with one of France’s most influential champagne houses to help celebrate 150 years of ‘Brut’ bubbles. And If you haven’t heard of Pommery champagne then you have been living under a rock!
Toasting to timeless elegance, The Tea Room at The Midland has teamed up with Pommery to bring its guests the most luxurious experience. Their tearoom has been dedicated to the very English ritual since the hotel opened in 1903 and it has just gone up a level with the exclusive addition of Pommery’s 1874 Apanage.
This limited champagne has been made to honour Madame Pommery who was actually the brains behind the idea of Brut champagne and back in 1874, Manchester was one of the key exports of the Brut bottles so having the Apanage available at The Midland is a no brainer.
Staying overnight at this historic hotel is such a treat too! This grade II listed building is grand in all ways. As soon as you walk in you are greeted by friendly staff, a beautiful reception and central bar adorned with lush greenery and trees under a glass roof. Boasting over 300 rooms, each room is furnished to a high standard with little touches that nod the history of the hotel and the city.
Did you know that The Midland is also where Mr Charlie Rolls met Mr Henry Royce for the first time (which is why there is a vintage Rolls Royce on display at the entrance!).
Rooms are both luxurious and spacious with high ceilings and large windows. Some overlook the atrium to the other rooms, and the others let you wake up to the skyline view of Manchester. Beds are dressed in the crispest white sheets and the bathrooms feature Elemis products (also used in the hotel spa).
Checking in was seamless and I was lucky enough to have a bottle of bubbles left in my room to enjoy prior to the intimate champagne tasting event I was in town for!
I’m no stranger to this effervescent drink but it does not make me a connoisseur! Luckily, there was a knowledgeable representative from Pommery in attendance at the tasting to talk us through the different champagnes on offer at teatime, the way they are made plus entertain us with more background on the champagne house and their famous lady creator!
Made from the chardonnay grape and left to mature for a further six months, the 1874 Apanage bottle is a work of art. Not only does it taste wonderful with notes of vanilla, dried apricot and hazelnuts, the bottle has been specially designed for the celebrations and is only going to be available at some of the finest restaurants around.
The Tea Room by Pommery is a wonderful way to enjoy one of England’s most quintessential traditions and long may this partnership continue!
Review and Images by Zoe Laing @_zozogram_
Feature image supplied