Best champagne?

Question

My husband and I are going to get some champagne for an upcoming special weekend, but neither of us are big drinkers so we don't really know what is good and what is not.

We're also looking for something in a moderate price range.

Answer 1

It depends on where you are but one of my beau's gifts for me last year a Ruinart champagne from France was so refined, distinguished taste with clean, light, & pure aroma. (--,)

Answer 2

A moderate price Champagne from France is Moet Chandon White Star. It has a touch of sweetness in it so that you won't find it too dry. It's about $30. This is a good "first" Champagne to try. Of course the lady Veronica would find it boring, but she's ahead of the pack and has moved on from White Star. You will, too.

If you want to spend less than that, try a Washington State sparkling wine called Chateau St Michelle Brut. That's about $12, and not bad stuff.

I like Pacific Echo, which is made by the same folks who own Veuve Cliquot. And Domaine Carneros, which is made by the folks who own Taittinger. Those are domestic, and under $25.

And for Veronica... have you tried Gosset Celebris? My current favorite... we had a 1995 bottle at a real estate closing. Wow!

Answer 3

Best Champagne
Personally i think its
Salon

Rappers, stars and socialites will say - cristal
Traditionalists will say Dom or Krug.

If you're looking for a moderately priced champagne,
which means it has to be from that region in France, then i suggests the following recommendations:

My first choice

Verve Clicquot yellow label - dry fruity and very exciting . Makes you feel bubbly and happy.

Bollinger & Gosset - Similar to the verve in taste and texture but in the case of the bollinger its a little fruitier, you may like it that way.

& lastly

Moet & Chandon brut imperial - The commercial champagne, can buy it everywhere, in my opinion a little too much bubbles and a tad too acidic for me.


Do enjoy.
With very expensive champagne and young champagne the differential in taste is there but the price difference goes up exponentially and its more economical and more effective to buy more bottles of reasonable champagne.
Gets you happier. but remember, drink responsibly.

fish

Answer 4

I see that the Veuve Cliquot NV (Non Vintage) Yellow Label has been recommended a lot. While this is a perfectly adequate and consistent wine, it would not be my first choice for a special night.

If you want French, and under $100, then a vintage (meaning from a particular year) Veuve Cliquot or a vintage Moet & Chandon (NOT WHITE STAR) would be two of your strongest choices. I prefer the Rose' versions of these wines, but the regular are also fabulous. It's generally a difference of $20-$30 to get the vintage stuff, and it's oh so worth it.

http://www.bevmo.com/productinfo.asp?sku=00000002920&Dn=166+168&Nr=Store%3A99&Ntt=veuve+cliquot&N=168+0&Nty=1&D=veuve+cliquot&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Ntk=All

http://www.wine.com/wineshop/product_detail.asp?PProduct_ID=WWB06452_1999

http://www.wine.com/wineshop/product_detail.asp?PProduct_ID=WWB24126__1998

One thing to consider is that French wines are somewhat overpriced because of the expense to import them. Instead, you can keep your money in America, with Americans, and get something like Schramsberg. The J Schram constantly beats out Dom and Le Grande Dame and Cristal in tastings - and for significantly cheaper. It's roughly $75 for a bottle, compared with $120 for Dom, $150 for La Grande Dame, and $250 for Cristal. It's really the best bang for the buck.

And, if you have the time, the winery will engrave a special bottle for you if you order it in advance. https://secure19.nexternal.com/shared/StoreFront/default.asp?CS=schram&BusType=BtoC&Count1=301387965&Count2=218528389 It adds considerable price to the wine, but it's a bottle you can keep and treasure forever. They are quite lovely.

I love bubbly, and I have at least 30 bottles cellared right now, but I can honestly tell you that I don't own a Veuve Cliquot NV or a Moet NV (Like White Star). I *do* own a Veuve Rose' from 1999 and several vintage Moets (one Rose' and one Blanc). Honestly, I don't even know how available the vintage moets are in the US - I got them at the winery after falling in love with them. But, the majority of what I own is US. The price is better for the quality that you get.

In short, my choices would be:

Veuve Cliquot 1998/1999 Brut
Veuve Cliquot Reserve Rose 1998
Moet & Chandon Blanc or Rose 1999
J Schram (any vintage)
Schramsberg Reserve (any vintage)

Answer 5

Veuve Clicquot NV Brut Yellow Label
great rating (90-94) and under 50 bucks

Answer 6

Veuve Clicquot NV Brut Yellow Label.

Answer 7

Try Cooks champagne, extra brut. It costs about 5 bucks a bottle and comes from California.

Answer 8

People who are not really drinkers will often prefer a sweeter champagne. I would suggest an Asti Spumante....Ballatore is a brand that you can get for around $10 a bottle or less.

Cheers!

Answer 9

Dom Perignon, Krug or Kristal... but these are upwards of $80.00 each?!

Answer 10

tunjung-hatten ,bali