The Churchill Series – Jan. 1, 2007

(One of a series of weekday posts concerning Winston S. Churchill.)

New Year’s Day and Champagne.

In 1915 Churchill wrote his brother that he was enjoying the four essentials of daily life. Cold champagne was, of curse, one of them. The others were hot baths, new peas and old brandy.

From at least 1908 through the rest of his life, Pol Roger was his favorite champagne.

From his letters we know that Churchill began drinking champagne while still in his teens.

As WW II was ending and the Champagne region was liberated, he wrote Pol Roger and placed an order. Concerning its bubbly, he told Pol Roger: “In defeat it need it, in victory I deserve it.”

During the early 1950s when he owned a racing stable, Churchill named one of his horses Pol Roger. It won three races.

Now, here’s to you and a healthy and happy 2007.