When asked about my interests out of work and family, I’ve always struggled to come up with any legitimate hobbies.
You know … the ones you’d actually put on a form or ones that would make for good conversation starters.
I the past year, that all changed. I not only decided to learn to run but I was invited to my first Champagne club meeting.
Because LIFE BALANCE.
It was September last year before the planets aligned and a Saturday opened up for me to take up said Champagne club invitation.
That afternoon was an intimate affair, with about six Champagne-loving women, but I loved my introduction to this concept.
In a nutshell, it’s about like-minded women from all walks of life coming together over a love of a Champagne.
Similar Champagne bucket – Bed Bath and Table – I didn’t buy mine there but wished I had done!
In the club I was invited to join, I knew a few of the women through blogging and business circles but now I’ve been able to expand that circle of friends, meeting others at that first club and a larger gathering before Christmas.
There is a lot to be said about common interests, yes? And Champagne flowing all afternoon. I swear our conversations became more intelligent as the afternoon went on. Well, that’s what told each other. HAH.
Now, before you think Champagne clubs need to be all about the being able to “speak” the language of wine tasting, relax.
Yes, some in our group have more knowledge that others. And my others, I mean me. But, mostly it’s all about trying some different Champagnes, ones that we may or may not have tasted before. We may have a little story to share about our choice but it’s ok if that story is all about the label! Well, that’s what I told myself.
I’m not quite sure how I came to be hosting a Champagne club for our group when technically I was a newbie but I do love hosting a gathering, so I embraced the challenge.
Originally it was meant to be a “farewell to summer” Champagne garden party but the party came inside when the rain and humidity had other plans.
When I posted on Instagram about it, I had quite a few requests from people wanting to know how to organise their own Champagne club.
10 tips for how to organise and host a Champagne club afternoon
1. Create a Facebook group members of your club. You don’t have to be on the only admin but this will be a great way to communicate with each other, post news about future club meets and share photos from the day. Our Facebook group told me that about 15-17 people would be attending my gathering.
2. The host provides the food/nibblies for the gathering. Our club meets start at 2pm and our last guests left at 8.30pm. With the number of people coming, I opted to book Gypsy Platters to create a sweet and savoury grazing table. In 45 minutes, my dining table had been transformed with layers of all manner of goodness. BEST. MOVE. EVER. That table was grazed upon all afternoon. I do love making a platter (tips HERE) but with the numbers I was hosting, it was less stressful and more economical to outsource.
grazing table by Gypsy Platters | tablecloth Peacocks and Paisleys
3. Think about decorations, flowers and other decor pieces that can help set the scene. This isn’t for everyone but this is something I like doing.
Flowers: Francesca’s Flowers
4. Have an esky or fridge storage space nearby to hold the bottles of Champagne bought by guests. Depending on the number of guests, this can be a lot!
5. Supply water/mineral water. I’m all for responsible alcohol serving so appreciate this when I go to other people’s places for gatherings or parties.
6. Supply Champagne flutes – enough for all guests, with some extras as spare.
7. Each guest brings a bottle of Champagne retailing at $50 or more. The host will generally also have a couple of “back ups” on hand in case that guests don’t want the party to finish 🙂 I was also on the receiving end of some beautiful gifts from guests, from handmade caramel slice through to homemade lemon curd and a Champagne and strawberries candle. I was incredibly touched and noted to self the need to up my hostess gift game.
8. Select a Champagne that you would not normally buy. This has been such a fun thing to do and experience. I’ve tried lots of different Champagnes now, Champagne I wouldn’t have even thought to try because I previously just reached for the familiar. Look for different offerings in independent bottle shops or somewhere like Vintage Cellars. The big names can have wide selections but the gems will be found in the smaller outlets. A few years ago, the Australian Champagne import market was dominated by the big guns, the Champagne house we always associate with Champagne. Increasingly we’re seeing a wider offering.
I picked up this one from Vintage Cellars
9. A Champagne can only be French and from the Champagne region but you might want to mix it up from time to time. There is talk that our next club meet will all be about Australian sparklings, with the aim of finding some pretty amazing local drops. I wouldn’t mind doing an Italian theme either.
10. Enjoy the moment. There is something so special about like-minded women coming together over a shared interest. The laughs will be plenty and the bottle line-up will be impressive.
So tell me, is a Champagne club for you? Are you in any other kind of club? Book club? Crochet club?
Comments 32
I have my first Champagne evening booked in for Friday 13th April thanks to your post Nikki…I might change it slightly like having show bags with mini bubbles etc . Are there any champagnes you think were great that aren’t predictable that your tried?
Author
Hi Jenny, that’s so great – you’ll have a ball! I’ve enjoyed trying a number of the blanc de blanc Champagnes – made only from Chardonnay. At my first club meet last year, I loved going halves with a friend on a bottle of Ruinart. And my fave “no predictable” is Charles Heidsieck. If you have an independent retailer near you I find they are gold for great advice!
Sounds like a wonderful hobby Nikki Xx
How did everyone get home?
Author
No-one drives. We usually get dropped off or Uber/cab.
I live in Camp Hill, work full time in the city and would LOVE to join a Champagne Club. If anyone is planning on starting a Club locally, then I am keen to join!
Oh Nikki!! I too “lacked a hobby”! In my early twenties I worked hard as a PA and partied hard as a single girl. I lacked the “hobby”. So, I took a Wine Appreciation Course at Perth Wine Centre – never looked back – said hobby, caused a career change – I became a Wine Rep – selling top Champagne – Bollinger and met my husband – a retailer who I “called on”. Best “hobby” ever! Earned myself and hubby an all expenses paid trip to Bollinger in France too – where we got engaged. My love of champagne is unwavering – I’ve even named my daughter after a top drop …. Cristal ❤️❤️
Sounds like it was a great career Change Yvette? Good on you!
We have a monthly girls Bunco night with about 12 participants each month from a wider group of about 20, depending on availability. Started loosely amongst school mums and various friends. Bunco is an easy dice game played with three tables of four people and you keep moving around and mixing so you talk to everyone throughout the night. The host for the month puts on nibbles and dinner, like a big pot of curry, so you only need to do it once a year. Everyone brings a bottle. Some months we also have a dress up theme which adds to the laughs. Have met some wonderful women and made some special friends through this.
It all sounds so wonderful … anyone doing that in Melbourne?
Author
Start your own with friends, Debra!
What a super idea, bubbles galore! Can’t wait to put this idea into action. The photos are beautiful and inspiring.
Author
Oh it’s so much fun, let me know how you go!
I would love to know this as well Kimberlie
Author
Start your own Ruth!
Love this concept Nikki. I love a champagne or two and know nothing about the drinks. Only how to drink them. Thanks for sharing this. Would make a great idea for a catch up with friends.
Author
Me neither Bec, but I’m a fast learner and when it’s not so serious, no-one worries!
Are there any Champagne Clubs in Sydney?
Author
Start your own Kimberlie! x
Finally a club I would be interested in, and this would be one hobby I would not get bored of.
Author
Exactly … the appeal for me is strong for those reasons 🙂
I belong to a book club, but we just meet at the local tavern it’s great getting together with different range of people and wildly varying scores / takes on the books.
I also get together with a lovely group of girlfriends once every 2 months we all bring wines to share and gourmet nibbles was just a catch up for drinks but I’m going to suggest a theme – champagne this month, reisling next month etc thank you.
Author
I love that idea, Jody … a fun way to find different wines that you all might like!
Author
Sounds wonderful, Jody!
I was thinking I’d like to organise a group too and do a different theme/wine/bubbles. Very exciting!
Author
Excellent!
Is there a grazing table club? And do I have to share the cheese? 🙂
Author
HAH! Tackle the cheese first before anyone notices 🙂
I don’t know what’s more tempting to me, a champagne club or that amazing grazing table! I like ve the idea, but wonder would I have to get or classy or can you be yourself at these things?
Author
Be yourself! Well, that’s how the club is that I’m a part of.
Now that is my kind of club, Champagne and a grazing table. Mind you, I would probably end the day curled up asleep under said table! Have a great weekend x
Author
HAH! I did get quite relaxed on the sofa!!