My family is celebrating a major event this summer in the US. There will be 16 adults. Most are not regular alcohol drinkers and do not have adventurous palates. Thus, I think a champagne that's not too dry but slightly sweet (without being too sweet or sugary) would work well for them. Our champagne budget is limited.
Here's what the restaurant where the dinner will be held offers in this price range:
Cooks Brut
Korbel Brut
Chandon Brut
Piper Heidsieck Brut
Gionelli Asti
Martini & Rossi Asti
My preference would be to bring 3 bottles from a small producer in France, but the restaurant charges a $20/bottle corkage fee so I'm wondering if it's worth it if indeed any of the above choices are acceptable.
Opinions, please?
i am uncomfortable with the Cooks. it is a $5 bottle of wine. the korbel and chandon are both sound.
we have hosted a number of parties for employees who are not wine drinkers(or drinkers). Asti has always gone over very big. it is not slightly sweet(m&r is pretty sweet to a wine drinker), and is also low in alcohol.
i would split the order, and get about half asti(i am not familiar with gionelli), and half korbel or chandon.
although not offered, there are a number of italian rose bubblies that are half sweet. they really go over big with most everyone.