Sara Underdown Becomes Australia's Newest Dame Chevalier

Australia has just received its newest Dame Chevalier at a prestigious ceremony and gala dinner held in Paris.

Sara Underdown, Founder of VINE & BUBBLE and one of Australia's leading and trusted voices for champagne, was inducted into the prestigious L’Ordre des Coteaux de Champagne on Thursday, 26th September as part of the harvest chapter. She becomes a Dame Chevalier, an honour that recognises those who work passionately and tirelessly for the promotion of Champagne wines.

The Ordre des Coteaux de Champagne was founded in 1656 by three young noblemen from the Court of Louis XIV and is one of the oldest French bacchic guilds. They were all gourmets and particularly appreciated the wines from the three famous Champagne hillsides, Aÿ, Avenay and Hautvillers, which earned them the name « Les Trois Coteaux » then « l'Ordre des Coteaux » in 1656. The Ordre disappeared during the French Revolution and was reprised in 1956. Over the years, the Ordre became instrumental in the promotion of the entire Champagne trade.

"It was a very special and proud moment for me after so many years of following my passion for the most magical of all wines, and working hard to promote them in Australia," says Sara.

More than 200 international guests attended the prestigious event held at the exclusive Automobile Club de France in Paris, representing the wine and gastronomy sector. At a gala dinner, no less than fifteen Champagne Houses, all represented by their Presidents and CEOs, brought in some of their most celebrated cuvées.

About Sara Underdown

Sara Underdown is a leading and trusted voice for champagne in Australia. She is the founder of VINE & BUBBLE, a renowned online champagne publication, luxury events and travel company.

As a professional in the champagne industry, Sara works with PR agencies, champagne producers, importers, hospitality venues and associated brands to connect wine lovers with champagne through education, writing, events and bespoke experiences.

Sara is a Dame Chevalier of L’Ordre des Côteaux de Champagne and has been recognised through the prestigious Vin de Champagne Awards, the Louis Roederer International Wine Writers’ Awards and the Born Digital Wine Awards. She is also the official Star Wine List Ambassador for the Champagne region (as well as South Australia).

Sara writes regularly for international and domestic drinks publications, magazines and newspapers. In 2023, she created the VINE & BUBBLE Podcast and travels to Champagne regularly, talking with the Cellar Masters, industry representatives and everyone in between to connect wine lovers with the story behind the finest bubbles of all. We all have read and experienced that acidity from wine helps cut through the fattiness in dishes that coats the palate and essentially dulls our taste perceptions.

Sara Underdown with Benjamin Fourmon, CEO and President of Champagne Joseph Perrier

Media enquiries: Contact Sara at sara@vineandbubble.com