Regular readers of this column will remember Billy Forrester and Rory Morrish a.k.a the Bubble Brothers, two Cork men with a liking for and vast knowledge of champagne. For the last couple of years they have been importing champagnes from small manufacturers in France direct to Ireland, meaning a large choice, some interesting new tastes and good prices.
Now the rather dynamic duo has come up with another unusual idea that is sure to go with a bang. They asked 12 artists living in the Beara Peninsula (and we all know what a hot bed of artistic endeavour that neck of the woods is) to come up with a design for a champagne label and collar. With artists such as Charles Tyrell, Danny Osborne, Cormac Boydell, Sarah Walker and Maurice Henderson all contributing labels, the result was bound to be a vintage collection. Billy and Rory have put together a limited edition set of six different champagnes from four different producers. Four of the 12 bottles contain champagne from the 1990 vintage year, now almost impossible to source - in fact the pair bought the entire remaining stock from two of the producers especially for the product. The whole shebang was launched in Dublin last night with a big bash in the Temple Bar Galleries with a "menu" of four different champagnes. Way to go, boys!