G.H. Mumm and restaurant Maison Bâtard have united to create an exclusive dining experience in the Champagne house’s Birdcage Marquee.

As the Official Champagne of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, G.H. Mumm will invite guests to board The G.H. Mumm 1827 Express, with an intimate gastronomy experience served in its Private Lounge Carriage.

Inspired by the golden age of luxury rail travel, the invitation-only experience will bring together the refined culinary style of Melbourne’s Maison Bâtard with a selection of G.H. Mumm’s RSRV vintage cuvées.

Maison Bâtard Owner, Chris Lucas said: “Partnering with G.H. Mumm to deliver an iconic fixture on the Australian sporting and social calendar is a seamless fit with Maison Bâtard.

“We hope it’s a delight for guests as much as it is for us to bring Maison Bâtard to the very heart of the Birdcage with G.H. Mumm.”

Executive Chef Adam Sanderson will create a bespoke dish designed to pair with G.H. Mumm’s cuvées.

Sanderson said: “The Private Lounge Carriage experience allows Maison Bâtard to celebrate classic French techniques alongside G.H. Mumm’s outstanding Grand Cru Champagnes – a match made in heaven.

“The culinary team and I had the privilege to undertake a complete tasting of all G.H. Mumm’s cuvées to select the final two showstopping Champagnes to match and incorporate into our dish.”

Guests of the Private Lounge Carriage will be welcomed with a glass of G.H. Mumm’s iconic RSRV Blanc de Blancs 2015. Crafted exclusively from Chardonnay grapes grown in the prestigious Grand Cru village of Cramant, the RSRV range has always been reserved for a circle of insiders since 1838, comprising a unique collection of five 100% Grand Cru wines. 

Guests will then enjoy a refined Scallop Tartare with RSRV Champagne jelly, served with almond and chervil on delicate toasted milk bread, paired with the RSRV Blanc de Noirs 2018. 

Pernod Ricard Pacific Marketing Director Kristy Rutherford said: “It’s an absolute thrill for G.H. Mumm to have such a lauded and significant Melbourne institution in Maison Bâtard join us to bring the very best in French cuisine to our Birdcage marquee guests.

“Both Maison Bâtard and G.H. Mumm share a dedication to heritage, gastronomy experiences and celebrating extraordinary moments, which we look forward to meticulously delivering to guests at this year’s Melbourne Cup Carnival.”

As the official Champagne of the Melbourne Cup Carnival for 17 years, Cordon Rouge will be served throughout Flemington Racecourse and within The G.H. Mumm 1827 Express.

The 2026 Melbourne Cup Carnival runs from Saturday, 31 October to Saturday, 7 November 2026 at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia.

Last year, the Melbourne Cup Carnival attracted more than 286,000 racegoers to Flemington (the largest attendance since 2018) and delivered a record gross economic impact benefit of $533 million to Victoria, a 6% year-on-year increase.

Mumm sets sail into the 2025 Melbourne Cup Carnival