‘Every champagne I’ve tasted since completing Tyson Stelzer’s Advanced Champagne Certificate has taken on a new significance because I can appreciate characters that I could never identify before! This was an absolute highlight of my champagne education – THE reference point for everything in the game.’– Dr Matthew Peters
Throughout my champagne journey, I have been privileged to countless ‘epiphany moments’ – tastings with chef de caves of unique components that offer a profound insight into the terroirs and techniques of the most complex and beguiling blends on earth.
My Advanced Champagne Certificate is the ultimate experience that encompasses each of these revelations in one unprecedented weekend.
Champagne lovers and professionals have expressed to me a desire to take their champagne insight to a new level not possible simply by drinking the cuvées, reading books or even visiting the region. To go further, to fully experience, recognise and appreciate the detail that every parcel and technique brings to the blend. The privilege of seeing, smelling, tasting and feeling the profound effect of each element in isolation affords the insight to recognise and appreciate the detail in every blend forever.
I could not find such a comprehensive, standalone, immersive experience anywhere in the champagne world.
Thanks to the support of some kind and talented friends in important places in Champagne, I am proud to announce that I have been able to achieve what I thought to be impossible and secure access to more than 50 cuvées and blend components, individual pieces of the grand champagne puzzle.
It’s my great pleasure to invite you to join me on this unique and unprecedented journey as we unpack the puzzle, discover the nuances of every piece, and reassemble them into the marvellous panorama that is champagne.
Spanning five masterclasses over two intensive days, we will go deep under the surface of the terroirs of each of Champagne’s key districts, explore the influence of each of its varieties and discover the effects of malolactic, tank and barrel fermentation, dosage, young, middle-age and old reserves, young and old disgorgements and young, old and very old vintages. Over two lunches we will explore the intricacies of vintage and prestige champagnes spanning six decades.
We will unravel each of the greatest cuvées of every one of champagne’s finest houses and growers, including Krug, Louis Roederer, Egly-Ouriet, Bollinger, Billecart-Salmon, Charles Heidsieck, Pol Roger, Dom Pérignon, Veuve Clicquot, Pierre Gimonnet, Vilmart, Larmandier-Bernier, Deutz, Robert Moncuit, Dumangin J Fils, Gosset, Fleury and Le Brun de Neuville.
I am privileged to showcase individual blend components, vins clairs, reserve wines and finished blends exemplifying different techniques from the great houses of Charles Heidsieck and Dumangin J Fils. I have chosen Charles Heidsieck, both for the depth of its outstanding reserves, and for the talent and dexterity of former chef de cave Cyril Brun in experimenting with different winemaking techniques. Gilles Dumangin’s fanatical approach and the elegant transparency of his northern Montagne de Reims terroirs provide the clarity for variety, maturity and technique to be displayed in glorious, articulate detail in the many samples that he has generously provided exclusively for this experience. All samples have been shipped door-to-door under pristine conditions at 14 degrees.
My Advanced Champagne Certificate is limited to 12 guests and will be held at Lumiere Events & Culinary Studio. Morning teas and three and five course long lunches will be created by Montrachet’s Shannon Kellam.
A comprehensive booklet will be provided to accompany each of the five masterclasses, and at the end of the course all participants will be awarded with Tyson Stelzer’s Advanced Champagne Certificate.
Join me as we explore the wonderland of champagne together and discover just how deep this rabbit hole goes!
Bookings are now open for my Advanced Champagne Certificate 1-2 February 2025. This was a sellout event in 2024 and tickets are strictly limited.
Champagne List
Masterclass 1: Champagne Terroir
Finished cuvées
Flight 1:
Cuvée 1 – Côte des Blancs grand cru chardonnay: Robert Moncuit Les Chétillons Blanc de Blancs 2013
Cuvée 2 – Côte des Blancs premier cru chardonnay: Larmandier-Bernier Latitude Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut NV
Cuvée 3 – Montagne de Reims chardonnay: Vilmart & Cie Blanc de Blancs Les Blanches Voies 2009
Cuvée 4 – Sézanne chardonnay: Le Brun de Neuville Authentique Par Champagne Brut Blanc de Blancs NV
Flight 2:
Cuvée 5 – Northern Montagne de Reims grand cru pinot noir: Palmer & Co Blanc de Noirs NV
Cuvée 6 – Southern Montagne de Reims grand cru pinot noir: Egly-Ouriet Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs Vieille Vignes NV (2015 base)
Cuvée 7 – Côte des Bar pinot noir: Fleury BdN Blanc de Noirs Brut NV
Flight 3:
Cuvée 8 – Vallée de la Marne meunier: Gosset Grand Blanc de Meunier Extra-Brut NV
Cuvée 9 – Petite Montagne de Reims meunier: Egly-Ouriet Les Vignes de Vrigny Premier Cru NV
Tyson Stelzer is a multi-award winning wine writer, television host and producer and international speaker. He was named The International Wine & Spirit Communicator of the Year, The Australian Wine Communicator of the Year and The International Champagne Writer of the Year. He is the author and publisher of seventeen wine books, contributor to many wine magazines, a frequent judge and chair at Australian wine shows and a presenter at wine events in 12 countries. TysonStelzer.com is your link to wine recommendations, book sales, tours and events.
