DiningBuzz! - Just when you thought sparkling wine could get no worse

The stuff you'll be served next might come from China (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/international-news/mot-gears-up-to-produce-chinese-bubbly/article2019971/), courtesy of Moet-Hennessy.

Seriously, I don't think it cane be much worse than some of the stuff (Chateau Ste. Michelle) that's served on some airlines. Drank some Chinese wines when KL had a promo a few years back and it was o.k., compared to cheap stuff from other parts of the world.

That said, I've never been impressed with Domaine Chandon stuff from California and Australia (Yarra Valley, Victoria). Haven't tried the Argentinean stuff and didn't even know they made the stuff in Brazil!

I confess to not having drunk Chandon in decades, but I recall it as being astonishingly good when it first came out (circa 1980 in California). St. Michelle is another cheap wine that I regard as being well made (good price/performer). Perhaps these are wines that fare badly in the air? I've never drunk them on an airplane, prefering to stick to Krug when I fly.

St. Michelle is another cheap wine that I regard as being well made (good price/performer)...

Agreed. We're not serious drinkers of sparkling wines, but for us the fact that we can buy it locally for well under $10 a bottle doesn't diminish our enjoyment of it. :) Apparently at least some agree as can be seen here (http://www.smwe.com/files/FileResource/4727/DSM_accl_WineTrials2010.pdf), here (http://winepeeps.com/2010/07/20/domaine-ste-michelle-sparkling-wines-big-bangs-and-sabers/), and here (http://www.fearlesscritic.com/wine/90/domaine-ste-michelle-blanc-de-noirs).

Keep in mind, OP, that back in our youthful days in British Columbia Brights President (http://www.winesofcanada.com/brights.html) was the height of decadence for us. :D

Back in my youth (late 70's) it was Giacobazzi and Riuniti for a cheap, sparkling wine buzz. I still remember the ad campaign. "Riuniti on ice, that's nice." Now it's French Pinot Noirs and Belgian Abbey Ales. How our tastes change (for the better).

Back in my youth (late 70's) it was Giacobazzi and Riuniti for a cheap, sparkling wine buzz. I still remember the ad campaign. "Riuniti on ice, that's nice." Now it's French Pinot Noirs and Belgian Abbey Ales. How our tastes change (for the better).

^ Cold Duck and Cracklin' Rosie - this cries out for a Cheap Wines of Our Youth thread. :D

I don't think it is made anymore, but in Canada, Andres produced Moody Blue in 1.5l format which was a sparkling blueberry flavored wine with a denim patch label. If I recall correctly it was "crackling" wine which meant it was 7% alcohol.

...and Belgian Abbey Ales. How our tastes change (for the better).Duvel -- a Belgian idea of a Scottish ale, and far better; of course, it has to be (the Devil made me do it). But having the right shape glass is such a pain for airlines!!!! Making it impossible to serve Belgian ales in mid-air.

Blue Nun, anyone?

Blue Nun, anyone?

Isn't that a still wine? At any rate, rumours were it was favoured by some now-late senior members of the British royal family.

seems like everything today is already made in china, so guess this shouldn't be a shocker

Ripple and Club Soda! ^

Agreed. We're not serious drinkers of sparkling wines, but for us the fact that we can buy it locally for well under $10 a bottle doesn't diminish our enjoyment of it.

Here in France we can get a pretty good bottle of Champagne for around €5 or 6. Price isn't the only thing.

As for China, they have been making some very nice Cabernet's there for over 15 years now. French winemakers have been there for a long time. I've not tried their sparkling wines yet.

Duvel -- a Belgian idea of a Scottish ale, and far better; of course, it has to be (the Devil made me do it). But having the right shape glass is such a pain for airlines!!!! Making it impossible to serve Belgian ales in mid-air.

Quite a shame that actually, although I'm no Duvel fan, I do like a (preferably Belgian) beer on the plane.

Duvel -- a Belgian idea of a Scottish ale, and far better; of course, it has to be (the Devil made me do it). But having the right shape glass is such a pain for airlines!!!! Making it impossible to serve Belgian ales in mid-air.

It all tastes the same after the first one. ;)

Just gotta remember to drink that first one in a lounge...

Here in France we can get a pretty good bottle of Champagne for around €5 or 6. Price isn't the only thing.


Where? PM if you want to keep it confidential. Never seen it that cheap even at small producers cellar door.


As for China, they have been making some very nice Cabernet's there for over 15 years now. French winemakers have been there for a long time. I've not tried their sparkling wines yet.

What brands are those?

More than a few French winemakers have started up in France. Climates similar to France and cheap labour so vineyards can be intensively managed and grapes can be harvested at optimal times.

Where? PM if you want to keep it confidential. Never seen it that cheap even at small producers cellar door.

The one that I have a connection for is Urbain Pere et fils. There are probably a hundred or so small producers that most of us have never heard of. They spend nothing on marketing, nor export, so their prices are low. But the quality is great. Not as good as the top Vintage Champagnes, but certainly good enough for daily consumption.

And des crémants de Bourgogne can be just as good as any mid-range to near top-range Champagne. You may be aware that even the top Champagne houses use over 70% grapes from Burgundy. So naturally some excellent sparkling wine comes from Burgundy. This is a producer that I particularly like. http://www.vitteaut-alberti.fr/ and all prices are under €10.

What brands are those?

The only one I can remember is Great Wall. I recall drinking a bottle of '97 that was really superb. But I think there is still high variability between years, at least in the 90's. Maybe it is better now.

Isn't that a still wine? At any rate, rumours were it was favoured by some now-late senior members of the British royal family.

Yes it's a still wine, though the name 'wine' is highly generous. It's very sweet,was popular in the 70's (I think) and is a 'wine' for people who don't like wine.

Give me a nice Sauvignon Blanc any day :D

More than a few French winemakers have started up in France.

I believe you are correct.

Did you mean China?

I believe you are correct.

Did you mean China?

Uh yeah, brain f@rt.

The one that I have a connection for is Urbain Pere et fils. There are probably a hundred or so small producers that most of us have never heard of. They spend nothing on marketing, nor export, so their prices are low. But the quality is great. Not as good as the top Vintage Champagnes, but certainly good enough for daily consumption.
[/quote

Are these cellar door prices and you have to know where to get them? I went around Champagne a few years ago and stopped at small, single-vineyard wineries and the prevailing prices seemed to be comparable to other no-famous-name stuff (around €12-16 a bottle).


[quote]You may be aware that even the top Champagne houses use over 70% grapes from Burgundy.

There are allowed this under AOC rules? I thought AOC-approved land in Champagne was worth 20x over non-AOC approved land for a reason?


The only one I can remember is Great Wall. I recall drinking a bottle of '97 that was really superb. But I think there is still high variability between years, at least in the 90's. Maybe it is better now.

That is what KLM was serving a few years back. I thought it was fine and better than some of the wines served in the BC cabins of KL and other airlines. I was the only one in the KL forum to hold that view though.


FWIW, Chinese buying of French, particularly Bordeaux, vineyards is growing (at least 2 purchased 1st quarter of this year). Production won't even be sold in France but will all be shipped to China. China apparently is now the No. 1 buyer of Bordeaux wines ahead of the U.K.