Is champagne over-rated?

Answer 1

You spell Champagne with a lower case 'c' and most of the people on this board arein the US where the name champagne can be used on any fizzy wine and is usually on the foulest cheapest gas injected ones.

Champagne is superb, I do not think it is over rated. I like half bottles which make a great aperitif before dinner

Get thee down to Oddbins who are sellingoff stocks of Castellane at 11.35 and Delbeck at 13.53, or Costco who will have Bollinger at under 20 later this month

Answer 2

Champagne was actually made by mistake,
it was made with basically with the crap
that was left over, here is the history,

As legend has it, the Benedictine Monk, Dom Periginon invented Champagne. That is not the whole story.

A few facts first. Champagne is 3 different things; First, it is a sparkling wine made in France. Second, It is a geographic area in France about 1 hour from Paris, and the only area where Champagne, the wine, can be produced. Finally it is a name associated with large deposits of limestone (chalk) in the earth. This deposit is present in the Champagne region, but is also found in Cognac. The Cognac region has an area referred to as Fine Champagne. These Cognacs are not made with Champagne (the drink), but the grapes used in production comes from an area which also has a large Limestone layer.
The first commercial sparkling wine was produced in the Limoux area of France about 1535. They did not invent sparkling wine, no-one knows who first made it.

Dom Perignon, the man, was born about 1638. His full name was Pierre Perignon. He was a Benedictine Monk at the Abbey of Hautville near Riems in France. Wine was already being made in the Champagne region before Pierre was born. Dom Perignon's legacy to the world was a procedure for production of Champagne. This included riddling the ageing bottles so the sediment can be removed, adding a dosage for a secondary fermentation, and use of corks to seal the bottles. These steps combined with the availabilty of stronger bottles which could hold the added pressure, allowed the commercial production of Champagne to begin in about 1700. Dom Perignon died in 1716. His famous statement "I see stars" was uttered upon his first taste of Champagne.

Dom Perignon, the Champagne, was first produced in 1936. Moet et Chandon which purchased the Abbey of Hautville 120 years earlier produced a super cuvee which celebrated the Monk's exploits. The Champagne is only produced in exceptional vintages; in 2 styles, the Brut and the Brut Rose and in 2 sizes, 750ml bottle and 1.5Liter bottle. The name has become synonomous with class and stature. A gift of Dom Perignon will express that only the best will do.

Answer 3

No, it'sch fantaschtick. *hic*

What I do object to is the premium that is placed on certain brands of champagne and the markups charged. When I was living in France in 1996 there were dangerously drinkable bottles around for 50F (about four quid).

It's also near-impossible to find "doux" champagnes outside France if you've got a sweet tooth... ("doux" = "sweet", but actually more medium/fruity than sweet, still with that biscuitty edge)

Answer 4

Absolutely NOT, I am tee total most of the year and only ever drink champagne on occasions, it is a lovely bubbly drink that is so smooth, you could drink a large amount and still not get a hangover, obviously the more expensive range taste the best, but I am a big fan.

Answer 5

I like champagne every once in a while; you can buy a decent bottle for $12 or less

the real stuff from France is the best though

Answer 6

I tried it a couple days ago for our college's "First Step," where seniors in decorated robes take their first step on Front Quad (which by tradition only seniors can walk on the grass) and open bottles of champagne and just celebrate the start of their senior year.

Anyway, I tried it for the first time and spit it out instantly. Too bitter. So yes, I think it's overrated. Then again it was a $5 bottle from Walmart.

Answer 7

Yes, because it can only be called champagne if its from that region in france. Sparkling wine is the same just not in name, ive had some nice ones over the years, hic !
Chef

Answer 8

I don't think so. But I like cheap, sweet champagne, not just for special occasions. I also love champagne cocktails.

Answer 9

Over-rated? No. Misunderstood? Yes. It shouldn't be reserved only for special occasions, but enjoyed like any other wine. It's great with food, and is an excellent apperitif. Enjoy!

Answer 10

No, but it's certainly over-priced, and there seems to be a lot of snobbery attached to it. Most people (me included) would probably struggle to tell the difference between a £100 bottle & one that sold for less than £20.