Sara Allard-Underdown 🍾🥂

In April 2026, Champagne was brought to its knees by a series of brutal frosts. Across three successive cold snaps, close to 40% of the region’s grape buds were lost - marking one of the most devastating frost events in living memory. We often speak of Champagne’s marginal climate and the ever-present threat of frost, but its true impact is difficult to grasp from afar. A few years ago, I witnessed that reality firsthand and wrote about it in my article 'When Frost Bites'. I've re-posted it here for those who are interested in understanding more about the threat and impact of frost but also frost-fighting mechanisms and vineyard adaptions that some producers are using. #frost #environment #champagne #vineyardmanagement

To mark 250 years of uncompromising excellence, please join me for an intimate and prestigious evening dedicated to Louis Roederer’s most iconic cuvée, Cristal. // Founded in 1776, Champagne Louis Roederer is celebrating its 250th anniversary in 2026, marking two and a half centuries of family-owned excellence and innovation. Simultaneously, Louis Roederer's iconic prestige cuvee, Cristal, will celebrate its 150 year anniversary this year. // This rare vertical tasting will explore five exceptional expressions of Cristal — 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 — each offering a compelling lens into the evolution of one of Champagne’s most revered wines. From the poised structure and quiet intensity of 2012 to the more open, generous character of 2015, the line-up culminates in the phenomenal 2016 — a vintage defined by its rare equilibrium. This will be an experience nuanced by vintage, terroir and time in a format seldom offered; an evening defined by insight, storytelling and a deep exploration of Cristal’s craftsmanship. Each champagne will be accompanied by a refined multi-course menu designed by Chef Alanna Sapwell-Stone at Adelaide's newest dining destination, @esmay_adl , to elevate each wine. On arrival, we will also enjoy glasses of @louisroederer_ Collection en magnum. This is an exclusive, limited-seat event only for those who seek depth, rarity and the privilege of access. // DETAILS Esmay (95 Hackney Rd, Hackney South Australia) Saturday, 11 July 2026 6.30pm - 10.30pm $1,500pp RSVP now through the link in bio. #champagne #louisroederer #adelaide #wineevent

For the past two years, I've been visiting Champagne's best wellness destinations, which has culminated in a series of articles that I'll release one by one over the coming weeks. There has been a noticeable shift in Champagne from cellar-door tourism to a more layered, lifestyle-driven offering with wellness emerging as a defining pillar. What was once a region centred almost exclusively on tasting is now evolving into a destination for restoration, where producers and properties are creating spaces that invite you to slow down. Spa rituals, outdoor bathing, and more considered, restorative stays are beginning to sit alongside tastings and cellar visits, not as an add-on, but as a natural extension of champagne itself. In this first article, I review @chateaudesacyreims . The property feels as though it has been lifted from the pages of a storybook. At the end of a long, winding road, Château de Sacy reveals itself as a romantic 19th-century château, set amid a quiet expanse of vineyards that ripple gently across the landscape. There is an immediate sense of stillness here - not just beauty - but a deliberate invitation to unwind. Read more via the link in my bio. #champagne #spalife #wellness

Please join me for the next @apoteca__ Champagne Session along with @wendyrohrlach from @pursuitofchampagne showcasing three remarkable grower-producers. This intimate evening will explore the expressive terroirs of Bouzy, the Vallée de la Marne and the Côte des Blancs through a curated selection of cuvées from micro-producers, Champagne Camille Savès, Serveaux & Fils, and Marcel Moineaux. Guests will discover Grand Cru Pinot Noir from Bouzy, vibrant Meunier from the Marne Valley, and refined Blanc de Blancs from Chouilly. From the latest releases to elegant blends, the tasting reveals the diversity and craftsmanship of family-run Champagne estates, all practising sustainable viticulture. Hosted with insight and storytelling, Sara and Wendy will guide guests through the producers, terroirs and styles behind each wine, making this a rare opportunity to experience Champagne beyond the grandes maisons. Together, we will taste: Camille Savès – Carte Blanche Camille Savès - Rosé Marcel Moineaux – Icon Marcel Moineaux – Boheme Serveaux Fils – Carte d’Or Champagnes will be accompanied by generous grazing platters prepared by the team at APOTECA. Details: 28 May 2026 6.30pm - 8.30pm APOTECA, 118 Hindley St, Adelaide $150 per person 🔗 Bookings via link in bio.

“Champagne has a way of gathering people — softening the edges, opening the moment, and reminding us we’re meant to experience it together.” Everything I do is built on that idea. Through thoughtful collaborations with industry partners, these experiences go far beyond events - they’re immersive, story-led moments that connect people not just to champagne, but to each other. I’ve seen this community evolve in the most incredible way - people who arrived alone now returning with friends they met at the table. Champagne doesn’t just bring people together - it keeps them connected. This year, I’m opening more of these moments - but some will be shared privately, first. If you’d like to be part of what’s coming next, join my list. It’s where I release experiences, stories and opportunities before they go anywhere else. Link in bio. #champagnelovers #wineexperience #champagne #sharedmoments

Hosted at the offices of Grant Thornton, I invite you to a champagne tasting presented in collaboration with the Asia Pacific Business Council for Women. Join other professional women for an intimate occasion - a chance to connect, share perspectives, and explore some truly exceptional wines in a relaxed, considered setting. Together, we’ll taste through four champagnes, each represented by women who have stepped into leadership roles within historic Houses and Grower producers. These are not just beautiful wines, they represent a quiet evolution in Champagne, where legacy is evolving. On pour: // Guy Charlemagne Blanc de Blancs — led by sisters Justine and Marie Charlemagne // Bruno Paillard “BP” — guided by Alice Paillard, CEO and co-owner // Laurent-Perrier La Cuvée Rosé — steered by Lucie Pereyre de Nonancourt // Taittinger Prélude — under the leadership of Vitalie Taittinger, President I’m really looking forward to sharing these wines with you. For details, please see the link in my bio. #champagne #adelaide #womeninbusiness

🎙️ NEW PODCAST EPISODE. Today it’s my privilege to welcome Émilien Érard, Chef de Caves of @charlesheidsieckchampagne . Émilien was appointed to the role in 2025, marking a quiet but significant evolution for the House. He succeeds Élise Losfelt, who departed to return to her family estate, but he also worked under Élise’s predecessor, the legendary Cyril Brun. Since joining in 2018, Emilien has embedded himself deeply within the fabric of Charles Heidsieck. His work has not been defined by visibility, but by precision—overseeing the rhythms of the winery, building trusted relationships with growers, and contributing, year after year, to the tasting committee that shapes the House’s signature. Émilien understands not only the technical architecture of he wines, but the deeper identity of Charles Heidsieck - its language of texture, patience and quiet power. In this episode, we move beyond the surface, exploring the philosophy behind Charles Heidsieck’s rosé winemaking, the quiet power of lees ageing and reserve wines, and the nuanced decisions that preserve identity across challenging vintages. We also take a look at the newly released Blanc des Millenaries from the less talked about 2017 vintage. 🎧 Listen now on Apple or Spotify. 🔗 See link in bio. #charlesheidsieck #champagne #rosechampagne #texture

The most beautiful photo collage of our recent dinner in Sydney with @charlesheidsieckchampagne 🤍 Thank you to the talented and brilliant @lisamadigan for lending your artistic lens and interpretation. 💫 #photography #charlesheidsieck #sydney

An evening where power, precision, and Champagne converged. 70 guests. One extraordinary setting. A world inspired by Aston Martin Valhalla, @champagne_bollinger , and the enduring allure of James Bond. We explored the tension between refinement and intensity — the same duality that defines both Bollinger’s signature style and the unmistakable presence of Aston Martin. Structured, powerful, unapologetically elegant. This was not simply an event. It was a statement in atmosphere, taste, and intent. Champagne, elevated. Always. Thank you kindly to the @astonmartinadelaide team for this collaboration. 📸 @yanni.stath #ChampagneExperience #Bollinger #AstonMartin

Due to unforeseen circumstances one place has become available on my June 2026 Champagne Tour. This is a highly exclusive and bespoke experience featuring six nights accommodation at leading luxury accommodation (Résidence Eisenhower and Royal Champagne Hotel and Spa), lunches and dinners at Maisons, Michelin-starred restaurants and special venues, vineyard walks and talks and access to Champagne’s most private Maisons and top growers. If you are interested, please send me a direct message or email [email protected] #champagnetour #travel #winetravel

So much love in this photo. 🤍 It was incredible working with you once again @amandalaguilera . You are a force. @charlesheidsieckchampagne is lucky to have you (and so am I to have you as my dear friend). 📸 Thank you to the exquisite @lisamadigan for capturing the warmth in our friendship. #charlesheidsieck #champagne #sydney #friendship

Highlights from @charlesheidsieckchampagne dinner last night in Sydney. 🤍 Another extraordinarily experience with champagnes that continue to defy time. Sharing with an incredible group of champagne lovers and friends. 🙏 With many thanks to @thechampagnecrusade for the incredible flowers and styling. #champagne #sydney #charlesheidsieck #timeless