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.

I have been surprised (as of late) by how many flavor profiles there are to discover in Champagne. For me, it’s always been sweet vs. Brut, period. But there are so many characteristics that quite honestly, you can’t get in anything else.

I am going to grill my apples. See you later.

I have been surprised (as of late) by how many flavor profiles there are to discover in Champagne. For me, it’s always been sweet vs. Brut, period. But there are so many characteristics that quite honestly, you can’t get in anything else.

I am going to grill my apples. See you later.

QOTD – 1995 Taitinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blanc; shared a bottle of this with a fiend a few years ago and it rocked. Blew me away. Also a big, big fan of Pierre Peters Blanc de Blanc.

QOTD – 1995 Taitinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blanc; shared a bottle of this with a fiend a few years ago and it rocked. Blew me away. Also a big, big fan of Pierre Peters Blanc de Blanc.

1996 Taitinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs- tons of coffee, tobacco, and toffee characteristics from a wine made solely of Chardonnay! Best champagne to date. Must find more. Still tasting it weeks later. Hard to compare the two, but I would say it was just a little better than the 1995 Dom P Oenetheque had a few days prior. The Oenetheque had a strong Pinot Noir influence and showed lots of mature procini mushroom character while being so light and airy. Fantastic but pricey.

1996 Taitinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs- tons of coffee, tobacco, and toffee characteristics from a wine made solely of Chardonnay! Best champagne to date. Must find more. Still tasting it weeks later. Hard to compare the two, but I would say it was just a little better than the 1995 Dom P Oenetheque had a few days prior. The Oenetheque had a strong Pinot Noir influence and showed lots of mature procini mushroom character while being so light and airy. Fantastic but pricey.

Mondoro di Asti … the best ever silk in a bottle!

89/100

Couldn’t agree more about the horrible packaging on the Pehu. Unfortunately I’m not a P Diddy style baller so won’t be trying it