greatest bottle of champagne i had so far – Ayala Brut Nature (Zero Dosage). i simply love the concept of zero dosage as such – and this really was a great experience. can’t stop thinking what it must be like decantered. and was also not very pricy – ? 30,00 or something.

greatest bottle of champagne i had so far – Ayala Brut Nature (Zero Dosage). i simply love the concept of zero dosage as such – and this really was a great experience. can’t stop thinking what it must be like decantered. and was also not very pricy – ? 30,00 or something.

QOTD: I don’t have any bubble stories. I couldn’t even tell you one sparkling wine brand/vintage that I’ve had. Not that I don’t enjoy it, I just haven’t ventured too far into the bubble zone.

QOTD: damn, have to go get some bubbles then, never had Champagne :/

QOTD: damn, have to go get some bubbles then, never had Champagne :/

Best so far… Krug!

You made me SO curious about the Pehu Simonet.

You made me SO curious about the Pehu Simonet.

another legras, really?
what ever happened to expanding your palate?
this is what, the fifth legras on the show
this brand has been approx 25% of your champagnes on the show…

QOTD: IronHorse Brut Rose – yummy, elegant, firm, robust, masculine – it’s cool drinking a super yummy pink wine with bubbles!

QOTD: I had never had a Dom P and we were given a 1990 Dom P when our first child was born in 1998. I actually forget which year we opened it but we enjoyed it with family on a Father’s Day.

Another story is that my husband and I visited Champagne in 1996 and we visited many cellars/houses/ wineries (whatever you call them) and we had a wonderful time visiting France.

QOTD: I had never had a Dom P and we were given a 1990 Dom P when our first child was born in 1998. I actually forget which year we opened it but we enjoyed it with family on a Father’s Day.

Another story is that my husband and I visited Champagne in 1996 and we visited many cellars/houses/ wineries (whatever you call them) and we had a wonderful time visiting France.

Best Champagne, 1996 Salon. Hands down.

Runner up 1996 Krug.

2002 Cristal is up there too.

Not my best champagne experience, but interesting non the less.

For our 10 year wedding anniversary I bought a 1998 Jacquart Blanc De Blanc from here. Had to have it sent my sister’s place in NC, and then she brought it to me when she came in for a visit. That caused the suprise to be spoiled as we were not sneaky enough to get it past my wife. No big deal.

We didnt open it for some reason during our trip to asheville NC. So we decided to have the bottle with friends who actually met at our wedding and got married later.

As I was twisting the cork ever so carefully off, the bottle slipped and I dropped the bottle. Half of it spilled onto the floor :(. I was very tempted to lick it off the floor 🙂 haha

Oh well, we all still enjoyed the half bottle. And to date is my best sparkler.

jason

Not my best champagne experience, but interesting non the less.

For our 10 year wedding anniversary I bought a 1998 Jacquart Blanc De Blanc from here. Had to have it sent my sister’s place in NC, and then she brought it to me when she came in for a visit. That caused the suprise to be spoiled as we were not sneaky enough to get it past my wife. No big deal.

We didnt open it for some reason during our trip to asheville NC. So we decided to have the bottle with friends who actually met at our wedding and got married later.

As I was twisting the cork ever so carefully off, the bottle slipped and I dropped the bottle. Half of it spilled onto the floor :(. I was very tempted to lick it off the floor 🙂 haha

Oh well, we all still enjoyed the half bottle. And to date is my best sparkler.

jason

Not a fan of champagne. Gives me a headache.

Krug is definitely on the top of my list. Depth, character, huge complexity. Still, I’m aware of the price, which is probably even higher in the US than it is in Europe. So my top 5 for more affordable non vintage Champagne is:

1. Jacquesson, Cuvee 732
2. Ruinart, Blanc des blancs
3. Gosset Brut Excellence
4. Boizel Brut Reserve
5. Billecart-Salmon Brut rosé

Krug is definitely on the top of my list. Depth, character, huge complexity. Still, I’m aware of the price, which is probably even higher in the US than it is in Europe. So my top 5 for more affordable non vintage Champagne is:

1. Jacquesson, Cuvee 732
2. Ruinart, Blanc des blancs
3. Gosset Brut Excellence
4. Boizel Brut Reserve
5. Billecart-Salmon Brut rosé

I’m a big fan of Wilson Creek’s Almond Champagne, can’t beat the value.

I’m a big fan of Wilson Creek’s Almond Champagne, can’t beat the value.

The best champagne I’ve had was the Cameron Hughes Lot 25 Carneros. It was awesome. Cameron Hughes scooped up 6,000 cases of this sparkler from a Napa vineyard who were going to release the wine for $50 a pop, but changed their minds and decided to stick to still wines. Cameron slapped their label on it and sold them for 20 a pop and Cost Plus World Market had it on sale for $9!!! The best was leaving this champagne open for at least 30 minutes and you’d get bread, biscotti, lemon, apple, and cane sugar! Just wonderful. I bought like at least half a case. I wish there were some more out there.

The best champagne I’ve had was the Cameron Hughes Lot 25 Carneros. It was awesome. Cameron Hughes scooped up 6,000 cases of this sparkler from a Napa vineyard who were going to release the wine for $50 a pop, but changed their minds and decided to stick to still wines. Cameron slapped their label on it and sold them for 20 a pop and Cost Plus World Market had it on sale for $9!!! The best was leaving this champagne open for at least 30 minutes and you’d get bread, biscotti, lemon, apple, and cane sugar! Just wonderful. I bought like at least half a case. I wish there were some more out there.

I love all the bubbles… but my favourite lately is Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Noir. So yummy!

I love all the bubbles… but my favourite lately is Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Noir. So yummy!

In the last year or two I’ve really developed a taste for Champagne and other sparkling wines made in the style of Champagne. Unfortunately, Champagnes (and especially vintage Champagnes) are often too pricey for most people to be able to enjoy them more often. I’m a firm believer that Champagnes should not be reserved for special occasions.

Fortunately here in the US, we have some California sister wineries of Moët & Chandon, Mumm, and Piper Heidsieck: Domain Chandon, Mumm Napa, and Piper Sonoma. Domain Chandon and Mumm Napa have been making their wines long enough now that they have a good, deep library of wines to use for blending. With their prices running around $20 in our local grocery store, they are a great way to enjoy sparkling wines of quality without breaking the bank.