Thanks to all for the thoughtful advice. ^

Is champagne similar to designer fashion in that you can try a "down-label" bottle from the same house, and get an understanding for their flavors and methodology at a lower price point (albeit at a lower quality as well?) Would trying a Perrier Jouet Brut and a Pol Roger brut, each <$50, give me an accurate sense of whether we'd like the Belle Epoque or Winston Churchill more?

(and thanks slawecki for the PDF link, I will read that shortly)