Champagne Question?

Question

I'm not a big alcohol drinker, but I recently was told such a great review of a brand of champagne, that I just had to try it. I have brought a bottle and opened it, and it is utterly revolting. It was not a cheap bottle (if anyone knows, its Clover Hills). I was told that it was fruity, with no alcohol taste, and slipped right down. However, this tastes like CHEAP gross stuff. Is this my inexperience, or is there something wrong with it? Should (and can I) return it? Remembering, it wasn't cheap.

Ok, a couple more details:
1. Although I am not a big alcohol drinker, I have had champagne before, and they were cheaper, and nicer than this.
2. Technically it is sparkling, not champagne, did know this, and its meant to be sweet and fruity, but its dry and bitter.
3. Baby its cold outside, dont know what you were looking at to get those prices, but I paid more than double what you looked up ($40).
4. Yes, if a product is faulty, by law they must refund, and of course you wont know if something is wrong with wine, unless you open it.
5. Also, I was not duped by a salesperson, it was on a personal recommendation from close friends.
Hope that clears up a lot of misconceptions associated with my query, and I can get some decent answers.
It's bitter, urine yellow, and taste like a $5 bottle (and I've drunk nicer $5 bottles)! Is there likely to be something wrong with it?

And to all those who said NO and uh, you were all wrong. Not only were you time wasting and unhelpful, but you were WRONG!!! As I have since returned the bottle of sparkling (YES I KNOW ITS NOT CHAMPAIGNE, BUT ONLY COS IT DIDN'T COME FROM FRANCE) and was offered a refund or replacement, AND the bottle was more than 3/4 empty!

The purpose of this site is to ask questions you need help answering and to receive help, not to have to read through a load of crap from people who do not know anything and are just answering to get points. It is pointless, time wasting and frankly, pisses everyone off!!!

And specifically to teddys_sweatheart:
UH...YES I CAN RETURN IT!!! It was 3/4 empty and the manager agreed it was revolting! Maybe you should get your facts right before you respond to people like that in the future!!!

Answer 1

Take it back to the liquor store and have the manager taste it and see if s/he thinks that it's bad. Tell them that you were very disappointed with it after a high recommendation from friends. Maybe it will work?

Answer 2

If you aren't a big alcohol drinker and haven't really had champagne, then chances are strong that is was you or the person who gave you the glowing review.

On the Clover Hill (no s) winery website, their most expensive Sparkler is $19. While this isn't "cheap", it's also not expensive for a sparkiling wine, not by any means. Considering that Schramsberg Vintage bubbly starts at about $30, this isn't in that category from the get go. They are a PA winery, not exactly an area known for great bubbly.

You *are* right in that a $20 wine of any variety should be drinkable, you have to take your palate into account and the person giving the recommendation. My Mother in Law would rather drink Almond flavoured $6 a bottle bubbly than a $35 bottle of Fabulous Brut Rose, so it's all in the eye of the beholder.

If you truly hated the wine, a good wine store will often offer your money back. Even trader Joe's may offer to do the same. Call where you got it and tell them what happened. They may offer you an exchange. Use it to get something COMPLETELY different and have them recommend something completely drinkable. Many shops would rather eat the $20 and gain your trust than to lose a potential customer.

From now on, take wine advice from your recommender person with a grain of salt. I'm sorry for the bad experience.


Edit: "dont know what you were looking at to get those prices, but I paid more than double what you looked up ($40)." I told you what I was looking at, the Clover Hill Website.

"The purpose of this site is to ask questions you need help answering and to receive help, not to have to read through a load of crap from people who do not know anything and are just answering to get points. It is pointless, time wasting and frankly, pisses everyone off!!!" What is wrong with you? Yes, some people didn't address the issue, so report them. Non-response is a violation of the Community Guidelines. YOU chose to post here. Had *you* researched this site beforehand, you'd know that the answers on here are generally 75% crap. Yes, it's a waste of time, but *you* chose to post here. As far as you not getting an answer that you liked, perhaps if you had posted more details to begin with and been more specific, people wouldn't have had to guess. I specifically told you to return it. I specifically told you where I found the prices. I specifically said that it could have been a bad recommendation. Yet I come back on here and get a snotty response. Sorry for trying to help. : (

Answer 3

Every single Quality seller I know and I know a lot of them will gladly take back ANY bottle you are not satisfied with! Big chains, small shops, brokers, shippers, you name it. They will usually offer to replace the bottle (if it corked for example) or offer you another selection. It won't matter whether it was your idea or their recommendation. If they won't accommodate you I'd find another place to take your business.

I find you cannot go wrong with Schamsberg (California).

From the budget minded Mirabelle (under $20) to the signature J Schram (about $80) there is something here for everyone. Including a perfectly fine chardonnay Blanc de Blancs vintage offering that is around $26 a bottle and the more earthy Blanc de Noirs (also vintage) made from Pinot Noir for around $30.

I have tried many, but have found few better or better values for the money than Schramsberg.

I have over 20 Champagnes (sorry Champagnes and Methode Champagnoise for the purest out there) in my cellar with the majority being from Schramsberg (Ca.), Deutz (Fr.), and Chateau Conte de la Rochefeucauld (Fr.). [Don't bother looking for my French preferences - Deutz, assuming you could find it is about $100 a bottle, and the other one is produced in very small case lots and sold through a broker (better than Crystal at less than half the price).]

I have never heard of Clover Hills, but Pennsylvania is not what I think of when I think of fine wine (and I grew up on Taylor New York State Champagne and Cold Duck.). I know nothing about Clover Hills except there have been around a while and that they also make Concord Grape wine - something which will never come anywhere near my cellar as long as my lungs breathe air. Sounds like you had a great review of a soda pop wine.

Its hard to tell from your description if the bottle was bad, or meant to be the way it was ... In my experience it is not uncommon to have a bottle or two out of a dozen that is "off" at this wineries price point.

If you are really looking for something a little sweeter then consider the Schramsberg Cremant.

Another idea is something like an Italian Prosecco - my favorite is from LaMarca. It is light and refreshing with just enough sweetness to serve with a Panetone for a special breakfast / brunch.

Answer 4

First of all Clover Hill does not make Champagne - Champagne comes from only one area - Champagne , France - what everyone else makes is only Sparkling Wine.

Champagne or Sparkling Wine can be made by two processes - the more expensive "Methode Champenoise" where the wine is has secondary fermentation in the bottle , or the cheaper way of making sparkling wine - secondary fermentation in a barrel or Vat. The former method produces better quality wine , so if you want quality look for "Methode Champenoise " on the bottle.

Also Champagne/Sparkling Wine comes in several varieties - Brut (Bone Dry ) Demi Sec ( Sweeter) , Brut Rose etc. For someone who is not an alcohol drinker Demi sec sparkling wine might be a more pleasant experience

Answer 5

I went to a party and had the same experience. I was offered a glass of "very good" champagne. It was very dry and very bitter.-undrinkable and would have been better on a salad. Since then I acquired another bottle-different brand-of more expensive champagne and it was the best thing I have ever drank in my life. And this I've been told, but don't know as truth, that the first bottle had been handled badly or was very old. I never hesitate to ask for my money back when something is awful. If you like the bubbles, try any Korbel at $10 to $12 a bottle, it is a reasonable and a tasty little treat.

Answer 6

In shopping for wines, or champagne, it's good to do your research. I highly doubt that the place you purchased it from would refund your money on an open bottle of champagne, even if it was expensive. There are different kinds of champagne and some are more dry than others. The more dry a champagne is, the less 'fruity' it will taste. You can use this list as a reference

Brut - The driest of them all with no perceptible sweetness.
Extra dry - Slightly sweet.
Sec, demi sec and doux - Very sweet.
Blanc de blancs - A blend made from only white chardonnay grapes.
Pink - Rose Champagne can be flowery and delicate, or full-bodied and robust and is available in non-vintage, vintage and prestige cuvee.

Also, you would need to make sure that it was stored properly. Champagnes must be kept at cooler temperatures than most wines. Ideal storage involves a controlled temperature that avoids fluctuation. Store bottles upright (corks pointing upward) in a dark place at about 40° to 50°. Do not store in a kitchen, or a closet situated against an exterior wall. Kitchens are generally too hot to provide an ideal environment, and refrigerators are too cold for long-term storage.

Hope that helps!

Answer 7

just because it is expensive, or your friend liked it, does not mean that you will. I love a particular Sangiovese from Silverado Vineyards in Napa California. I buy it by the 12 bottle case. My coworker found it so completely revolting, and told me that it was the most dry unappealing wine she had ever had. To each their own.

I doubt that anything is wrong with the sparkling wine in general you bought..but keep in mind that Pennsylvania is not know as a sparkling wine producing region. what are the chardonnay and pinot noirs like in that region? are they good? those two grapes are key components in making any good sparkling wine.

If you are up to trying other regions I suggestion some of the following sparklers:

Chateau Ste. Michelle - Washington State
Schramsberg - California
Domaine Carneros - California
Glorria Ferrer - California
Mumm Napa - California.

I would recommend you try Mumm Cuvee M. It is one of the most popular sparklers that we serve in Napa at parties and events at Copia, a wine museum. We cannot have enough around. It is very light and refreshing, very peaches and cream tasting. And is less expensive than the one you bought at $16.99 most places.

Also, definately try to watch what style you buy. Somebody above provide breakdown of the different styles like brut, demi sec, etc. that will also be a great guide.

My favorite sparkling wine on the entire planet is J. Schram by schramsberg. Very expensive, but totally worth it in my book.

Answer 8

They'll never take it back, for you have opened it. Add it to your next batch of Swipe.
You might want to try to read up on wines, and attend some tasting parties, or something, if you aren't used to alcohol. It might overcome you.
If you want to try something I bet you'd like, try an inexpensive bottle of Liebfraumilch, from Germany, which means, well, "mother's milk." Very sweet, sip-able, and it goes well with most meals. If you want to try red wine for your health, get a good red Burgandy or Cab Sauvengon, or a mellow Melot to enjoy with a friend, but this is tart, and like all wines that clean the palate for the next bite of dinner, this is mainly for meat dishes.
Don't buy those cheap six-pack mixers as they will turn you off the to wine experience, like your poor Champagne did.
New 'Studies" say Cab Saug lengths one's life span by protecting the cardiovascular system, reducing obesity, and making your girlfriend look much better in dim light.

Answer 9

Mostly you can't return it. Unless the store has a money back guarantee.
Try a Prosecco, an Italian sparkling wine. It's a bit sweeter than Champagne but with the classic
wine Flavours.

Answer 10

You can't return it once you've opened it. Maybe the champagne wasn't dry enough. Sickly sweet champane is a matter of taste, I don't like it either. Look for the words "Brut" if you want a drier bubbly.