I am sort of a wine/champagne beginner, but I am looking for some suggestions for a tasty, nice champagne that I can find in a well-stocked liquor store (BevMo) for $30 a bottle or under. I am looking for something sweet, not too sweet, and dry but not so dry that it is bitter. Ideas?
2007-03-22 09:50:26 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Food & Drink ➔ Beer, Wine & Spirits
First of all you need to define your term: do you mean "champagne" with a small "c", which is not a legal term or word anymore in most countries, the USA excepted? That refers to a generic term (though the word may or may not be on some labels in countries where legal) for sparkling wine.
In the USA today most wineries, except for less expensive sparklers (like Gallo's André) or wines that became very popular year ago (like Korbel and Great Western) use the word "champagne" anymore - as you will notice if you check the labels at your BevMo of finer California and Washington State sparklers.
Even though the USa has not [yet] changed the law or American dictionaries the definition, in fact most American wine drinkers have habituated themselves over the past 3 decades to use the word "sparkler" and not "champagne."
"Champagne" with a large "C" refers to ONLY the sparkling wines from the delineated Champagne area of France.
Unfortunately in the United States there is almost no demand for better ($ 30 is in the "better" category) "sweet but not too sweet" sparklers. Sweet spumantes, mostly from Italy and costing much less, fill the bill for sweet tooth sparklers. However, I am a continent away from you -- it is possible that
some California wineries make a small amount of sweeter sparklers which they sell only at the winery or in very limited amounts. Ask the consultant at your BevMo if he or she knows of any. Also, the Spanish Cava Freixenet Nevada used to be sold in a Semi-seco in the USA and still may be, especially in Hispanic areas. It is very good and very cheap and made classically in the champagne methode (now called Traditional Method for any wines other than Champagne). Many German Sekts are also made a bit off dry and your BevMo may sell or be able to get you some.
As for "dry but not so dry" that would actually be "Extra Dry", which is sweeter than Brut.
2007-03-22 10:33:06 · answer #1 · answered by Lisa 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My favorite is probably Roederer Estate Brut which goes for $22. Roederer Estate Rose is also yummy at $27.
A real bargain sweet sparkling wine is Ballatore Gran Spumante which you may be able to find for only $7 a bottle. This is a best buy for a sweet champagne.
Another good winery for champagnes under $30 is Heidsieck. They have a Piper Champagne Brut that goes for $30 that is really a nice wine and also a Brut Reserve.
2007-03-22 21:23:33 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mirabelle by Schramsberg. It's the best under $20 bubbly out there. It comes in both traditional and rose. In fact, I may chill a bottle to partake in tonight or tomorrow.
BevMo also carries the regular Vintage Schramsbergs as well. My fav is Blanc de Noirs. Not overly dry, nor sweet, it has some slight fruit taste to it that is just perfect. Blanc de Blanc is a little fresher and crisper, but tastes less sweet. Cremant is a Demi-Sec and is fairly sweet. It's not dessert wine sweet, but it can leave a sweater on your teeth by the end of the night.
http://www.bevmo.com/productinfo.asp?sku=00000004465&Dn=166+168&Nr=Store%3A99&Ntt=schramsberg&N=168+0&Nty=1&D=schramsberg&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Ntk=All
2007-03-22 10:53:04 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Mumm Napa Cuvee M with the blue label. Very peaches and cream taste for like $17 a bottle. Domaine Ste. MIchelle from Washington State is also nice. The have quite a few different kinds. I like the blanc de noirs.
Schramsberg Blanc De Noirs is exceptional. Mirabelle Brut is also nice. If you like sweeter sparkling, try their Cremant.
All under $30.
2007-03-22 15:56:31 · answer #4 · answered by Lisa H 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Korbel Brut is around $12 to $15 at most, and an excellent choice for a first try. You can go to BevMo and pick up more expensive ones, but Korbel is a great standard.
2007-03-22 10:07:30 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Martini and Rossi Asti is amazing, especially with chocolate. For your knowledge (and your price range), Chamnpagne refers to sparking wines that come from the Champagne region of France. So, if you look for a sparkling wine, you will essentially be getting the same type of product, and may save yourself some money as well!
2007-03-22 10:29:04 · answer #6 · answered by Living for today and a good wine 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bollinger NV Brut Special Cuvée for about 50.
Gloria Ferrer Sonoma Brut is pretty classic Brut 20.
The Billecart may be findable for $40 and the Feuillatte may be findable for $35
Ste Michelle Brut is always nice 15 or less.
2007-03-22 10:13:57 · answer #7 · answered by Cister 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are you looking for true Champagne, made in the Champagne region of France or just any sparkling wine? True Champagne isn't cheap. Ignore Alex. Plenty of Champagne/sparkling wine is sweet. Just look for "demi-sec", which will have a hint of sweetness or "sec", which will be truly sweet, on the label.
2016-03-28 23:59:44 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd go for Spanish Cavas vs Champagne. They are made in the same style and are much more reasonably priced.
Not sure where you are but this is a good one and available in tons of places at reasonable prices.
Codorníu Clásico
2007-03-22 12:09:31 · answer #9 · answered by Rockin' Mel S 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Frexeneit Cordon ***** is about 12 bucks a bottle.
Moet Chandon white star is about 35/bottle.
2007-03-22 11:55:17 · answer #10 · answered by tchem75 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋