Richard Smithson receives Chavalier honour
Richard Smithson of Aqua Italia was honoured to be made a Chevalier by the ‘Ordre des Coteaux de Champagne’, an elegant academy dedicated to good wines.
The ceremony at Jumeirah Carlton Tower in London was presided over by the Commanduer Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger, president and owner of the house Champagne Taittinger, and the award was presented by Robert Powell Esq.
This is a great honour for Richard as he has dedicated his working life to the hotel and restaurant industry. His Aqua Italia restaurants reflect his standards with excellent food and a wonderful wine list – Taittinger Rose being one of Richard’s favourites!
The History of the ‘Ordre des Coteaux de Champagne’ is that around 1650 young aristocrats at the court of Louis the XIVth founded an elegant academy dedicated to good wines. They were all famous wine connoisseurs and were particularly fond of the champagne wines from the three “coteaux” (hillsides). Hence the name given to this association “Ordre des Coteaux”.
It unfortunately disappeared shortly before the revolution. However in 1956 a group of “champenois” and Francois Taittinger in particular, decided to revive the original “Ordre des Coteaux“.
The first champagne firms to open their doors to the new Order were Taittinger, Laurent-Perrier, Mercier and Mumm.
Supported by the champagne industry the “Ordre des Coteaux” was able to grow steadily in France and abroad. Since 1956 four thousand members have joined the Order and therefore followed in the footsteps of their illustrious predecessors.
The role of the Ordre des Coteaux de Champagne is to promote the wines of Champagne, their unique features, their ways of consumption and everything which contributes to their reputation and their image as the most prestigious symbol of success and celebration.
Richard is very proud to be a member of this academy and through his three Aqua restaurants endeavours to continue to deliver his customers fine Italian food, wine and champagne. If you ever see him in one of the restaurants be sure to ask him to share a glass of champagne with you!
