From October 24-26, the panoramic Settimo Rooftop hosts the exclusive ‘Champagne Days,’ pairing historic Pommery cuvées, featuring the Grand Apanage 1874, with a Roman culinary journey curated by Chef Giuseppe D’Alessio.
From the seventh floor of the Sofitel Roma Villa Borghese, the view is a commanding panorama. Settimo Roman Cuisine & Terrace overlooks the Eternal City, sweeping from the verdant gardens of Villa Borghese to the distant dome of St. Peter’s. It is in this rarefied setting that the hotel stages its “Champagne Days” from October 24-26. In collaboration with the historic Maison Pommery, the event is positioned as a sophisticated experience for connoisseurs, a dialogue between Roman grandeur and the contemporary resilience of Champagne.
The event honors a wine that needs little introduction. Produced in a region blessed by its unique soil and climate—a small chain of hills rising on a vast plain of chalk, bisected by the Marne River—Champagne has conserved its iconic style and personality for over 350 years. In recognition of this exceptional status, the concept of World Champagne Day was born in 2009, an initiative by Californian wine tutor and blogger Chris Oggenfuss.
It was immediately embraced by the Comité Champagne, the organization representing the legendary region’s 15,000 growers and Maisons. For sixteen years, the anniversary has turned the global spotlight onto the world’s most famous luxury drink and the very economic and agricultural dynamics that surround it.
The State of the Sparkle: Navigating the Post-Boom World
The event arrives as Champagne navigates a complex global market, recalibrating after a remarkable, if unsustainable, post-pandemic surge. According to data from the Comité Champagne, total shipments in 2024 settled at 271.4 million bottles, a 9.2% decline from the previous year.
While the headline figure might suggest a crisis, industry veterans interpret it as a necessary correction. After what David Chatillon, co-president of the Comité, described as “three extraordinary years” (2021-2022), this downturn represents a return to pre-pandemic volumes.
However, beneath the surface of contracting volumes, a more telling economic story is unfolding. Forecasts indicate the global Champagne market value will expand from approximately $7.7 billion in 2024 to over $11 billion by the early 2030s. This divergence points to a powerful and defining trend: premiumization.
Discerning consumers are increasingly prioritizing quality over quantity, seeking out prestige cuvées and exclusive, high-value experiences. It is an evolution that validates the very strategy embodied by the Sofitel’s “Champagne Days”: an intimate event focused not on volume, but on the exceptional quality of a historic Maison.
A Revolutionary Spirit: The Legacy of Madame Pommery
The resilience called for today has a powerful historical precedent in Maison Pommery itself. The Maison’s story is inextricably linked to one of the most visionary figures in wine history: Madame Jeanne Alexandrine Louise Pommery.
In an era that afforded few pathways for women in business, she took control of the firm in 1858 and boldly shifted its focus to Champagne production. In the mid-19th century, the prevailing taste favored sweet wines, with dosages often reaching 150 grams per liter. Madame Pommery, however, recognized an emerging preference for drier styles. In 1874, she instructed her chef de cave to create a wine with far less sugar. The result was Pommery Nature 1874, the first commercially successful “Brut” in history. By lowering the dosage, she allowed the purity and character of the grapes to shine. Today, it is estimated that over 90% of all Champagne produced is in the Brut style she pioneered.
The Roman-Champagne Dialogue at Settimo
Pommery’s spirit of refined authenticity finds a modern counterpart in the kitchen of Settimo, under the direction of Executive Chef Giuseppe D’Alessio. His philosophy is based on “simplicity, authenticity, and seasonality,” reinterpreting Roman traditions with a contemporary touch.
During the “Champagne Days,” the dialogue between kitchen and cellar comes to life. The experience begins with the Champagne Aperitivo, where a glass of Pommery is paired with sophisticated Italian assaggi—from Roman focaccia with Mortadella di Bologna IGP to carbonara tartlets and smoked salmon with caprino—while overlooking the city.
For a complete immersion, Chef D’Alessio curates three distinct tasting journeys (Sea, Land, and Vegetarian), where four-course menus are designed to dialogue with four signature Pommery interpretations. The celebration culminates on October 26 with a lavish Sunday Brunch, which begins with a flute of Pommery to accompany a rich Mediterranean buffet—from Lazian bread to Mozzarella di Bufala DOP—and classic Roman à la carte dishes like Amatriciana or Cacio e Pepe, followed by fine pastries.
The Featured Cuvées
The pairing is centered on a portfolio that expresses the Maison’s finesse:
Pommery Brut Royal: The Maison’s calling card. A blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier, it presents a delicate nose of citrus, white flowers, and small red berries. On the palate, it is elegant and vibrant, with a clean, harmonious finish.
Pommery Brut Rosé Royal: A faithful variation crafted with a small blend of still Pinot Noir. A delicate salmon-pink, it offers aromas of red berries. The palate is soft yet finely robust, with an appealing freshness.
Pommery Grand Apanage 1874 Blanc de Blancs: A tribute to the historic innovation, this wine is an emblem of the balance and complexity derived from Champagne’s chalky soils, showcasing pure Chardonnay elegance.
The Sofitel’s event captures the global spirit of #ChampagneDay and grounds it in a tangible experience. In a complex world, the elegant act of raising a glass of Champagne on a Roman rooftop remains a profound expression of optimism: a taste of la dolce vita that endures.