| Author | Message | ||
     calypso Citizen Username: Calypso Post Number: 93 Registered: 1-2006 |
Has anyone had any good champagne lately? I love the stuff, but hate to spend tons of money for a bottle that turns out not much better than the headache-inducing Freixenet (or however it's spelled). | ||
| Innisowen Citizen Username: Innisowen Post Number: 2292 Registered: 3-2004 |
Why not try a really good Prosecco as an alternative to champagne? The taste is a bit lighter. The sensation is pleasant, and there's a lot happening in a good bottle of Prosecco at a lower price than for champagne. | ||
| campbell29 Citizen Username: Campbell29 Post Number: 543 Registered: 4-2002 |
My favorite is Vueve Clicquot - usually about 30 a bottle. Last time I went to the Wine Library, they recommended "Bryce" which costs 1/2 nd also, is really good. | ||
| Claudia Citizen Username: Cabameyers Post Number: 53 Registered: 5-2006 |
Laurent-Perrier is simply divine. | ||
| L Citizen Username: Madison3701 Post Number: 36 Registered: 6-2004 |
This is what we served at our wedding - excellent .. . http://www.gloriaferrer.com/ you can get it at Total Wine for under $20 http://store.gloriaferrer.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=GFBT3033 Sonoma Brut = 90 wine spectator | ||
| red Citizen Username: Redy67 Post Number: 6911 Registered: 2-2003  |
Veuve Cliquot is my favorite, but it usually is around $40. There is also Moet Chandon White Star which is a little less expensive, but still very good. | ||
| Tom Kerns Supporter Username: Tom_kerns Post Number: 394 Registered: 6-2004 |
You can never go wrong with a "J" from Jordan. Cost b/w $25 and $30 | ||
| Arc Citizen Username: Arc Post Number: 1 Registered: 10-2005 |
If you just like the bubbles and a good taste, many of the California sparkling wines are good bets (CA calls their sparkling wines Champagne because the US wasn't around when the rest of the world agreed that only sparkling wines from a particular region in France could be called Champagne). Roederer, Korbel Chandon, Piper Sonoma. If you are looking for Champagne, two affordable recommendations are Oudinot (we jokingly call it you don't know), and Paul Goerg. The Rose is on sale at Total Wine and More on Rte 22 or Essex Green ($5 coupon). Either can be had for just under $25 unless the $ continues is downward march. We used to buy it for under $20 (sigh). Total Wine also has a good selection of sparklings and Champagnes. We've tried most of them (I love champagne, but my boyfriend doesn't). My personal fav, already mentioned on the list, is Veuve Cliquot, and for a treat, Veuve Clicquot Grand Dame. Veuve C. was run by a wife after the death of her husband (French word for widow is Veuve) and I get such a kick out of that. Enjoy!} | ||
| Soparents Supporter Username: Soparents Post Number: 2786 Registered: 5-2005  |
Arc, if you go to Total Wine Essex Green, have you tried the Baron Cristal? If you are looking for a genuine French Champagne then get Moet, Veuve etc, but for a French sparkling wine at $5.99 is it amazing. It has outsmarted people who drink champagne.. | ||
| Hank Zona Supporter Username: Hankzona Post Number: 6140 Registered: 3-2002  |
one of my favorite topics...I agree with Tom's recommendation of J for a domestic sparkler in a NV Champagne price range. Also have liked Schramsberg and Iron Horse sparklers in that range. For low to mid teen prices from the US, I think Gruet is the best and Roederer, Domaine Chandon, Ferrer Sonoma are good choices...Glenora and Chateau Frank from the Finger Lakes as well. Clicquot is classic, but also try Bollinger, Montaudon, Gosset, Pommery and I second the Oudinot. I prefer a blanc de noir or rose to a blanc de blanc...Feuillette is another really good house and they make a fine rose. Id love to hear what other folks like because I am putting together a sparkling wine/champagne tasting for a corporate event in September...maybe I will reproduce it locally. Champagne drinks? A kir royale with raspberry dessert wine instead of creme de cassis...and a classic champagne cocktail with the bitters-soaked sugar cube is refreshing. Its peak peach season, so try some Bellinis, or go the easier route and have a peach sparkling wine from France. | ||
| LilLB Citizen Username: Lillb Post Number: 2308 Registered: 10-2002  |
I'm also a Veuve Cliquot fan, but I get Prosecco for a non-occasion sparkling wine. | ||
| xavier67 Citizen Username: Xavier67 Post Number: 683 Registered: 6-2002 |
Montaudon and Nicholas Feuillette both make fine and reasonably-priced rose champagnes. What style bubblies do you prefer, calypso? There's big range even among genuine champagne houses, from a heavier-body, toasty style like V. Clicquot to a lighter-body, more delicate style like Pommery. On the American front, Gruet offers an attractive, reasonably-priced alternative bubbly from New Mexico. | ||
| xavier67 Citizen Username: Xavier67 Post Number: 684 Registered: 6-2002 |
I also recommend Jean Laurent Blanc de Noir ($25 at Wine Library). Balanced and precise. And yummy. | ||
| calypso Citizen Username: Calypso Post Number: 97 Registered: 1-2006 |
thank you all! Now I have some research to do that I can really enjoy! Do people have an opinion on Total Wine vs. the Wine Library, in terms of cost, comprehensiveness, and usefulness of the staff? | ||
| MM Citizen Username: Melandmike Post Number: 96 Registered: 1-2004 |
This is a timely topic... we're having a champagne brunch/baby shower for about 40 people at our home in a few weekednds and want to serve mimosas and kir royals. Do we need a $30-$40 champagne for these drinks? Which of the above recommended less expensive champagnes/ sparkling wines will work well for these drinks? We do not plan on serving champagne alone- only kir royals and mimosas. Thanks. | ||
| Hank Zona Supporter Username: Hankzona Post Number: 6169 Registered: 3-2002 |
no, you dont need $30-40 champagne for mixing...especially for 40 people. Go with the Gruet NV for your mimosas and kir royales, or if you want, the Gruet Blanc de Noir for the kirs. Or a prosecco for the mimosas...or even a reasonably good, less expensive sparkler than the Gruet. And buy yourself a bottle or three of something nicer to enjoy when the guests arent around or when there are a whole lot fewer than 40. | ||
| xavier67 Citizen Username: Xavier67 Post Number: 685 Registered: 6-2002 |
They are two totally different type of stores. Total Wine offers mostly widely distributed brand-names wines at really good prices, whereas Wine Library carries some brand-names (like Yellow Tail) but also a lot of smaller brands, also at really good prices. In terms of service, WL is better. | ||
| LilLB Citizen Username: Lillb Post Number: 2315 Registered: 10-2002 |
I agree with Hank - Gruet is a good choice for the champagne mixers. |
