Pol Roger was the official Champagne for the luncheon reception that followed the Royal wedding of Meghan Markle to Prince Harry on Saturday.
Around 600 guests sipped on Pol Roger Brut Réserve NV in St George’s Hall in Windsor Castle.
The Champagne is described as being dominated by “white flowers, green apple, brioche, and a trace of minerality” on the nose. On the palate, the notes are of stone fruits, nuttiness, and a hint of honey that supports the freshness of the acidity.
It’s a surprisingly budget-friendly choice for the Royals and currently sells for around $69 a bottle at chains such as Dan Murphy’s and First Choice Liquor.
Pol Roger NV was also served at the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, now the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, back in 2011.
In March, Ladbrokes put its money on a British sparkling being served, at odds of 2/1, but the Royals bucked the odds and went for French bubbles.
Ladbrokes originally had Bollinger on at 6/1, Dom Perignon is on at 7/1, Veuve Clicquot has 8/1, Pol Roger at 10/1 and Lanson at 12/1.
Pol Roger has held a Royal Warrant from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth since 2004.
All of the ingredients for the wedding reception were sourced from Royal Warrant-holding companies. Royal warrants of appointment have been issued for centuries to those who supply goods or services to the royal court. The first Champagne house to receive one was Bollinger in 1884.
The Queen has a fondness for Pol Roger because it was a favourite of Sir Winston Churchill, Britain’s famous wartime Prime Minister. On his death, the Champagne house put black-bordered labels on the bottles destined for the UK.
(Actually, the Queen has a fondness for Champagne generally. She likes to finish every day with a glass or two.)
However, Pol Roger has not traditionally been drunk at royal weddings. Prince Charles chose Bollinger for both for his stag party and for his marriage to Lady Diana Spencer in 1981.
Other wines to be served at the reception for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, remain a mystery.
There has been speculation around the possibility of a Californian wine making the cut, with Markle understood to enjoy the wines of several producers in her home state. Markle has also previously expressed a liking for Tignanello, the ‘Super Tuscan’ wine produced by Antinori.
