Originally Posted by
briankoenig
Bumping this to see if there are any fresh recommendations.
It will be for a *very* special occasion, for drinking in the late evening (10pm-ish).
Budget is around $250. I am thinking of something a bit sweet, but not cloying. Dom was "too nutty" for her. Cristal has high marks but seems a bit cliche.
I absolutely adore sparklers - if I had the money, I would have a bottle open every night.
In a rose that's not too price-heavy, I LOVE LOVE LOVE Piper Heidsieck Rose Sauvage.
Another one that's always on my list is Henriot's 1998 Milleseme, though the non-vintage white is almost as nice. They also make a lovely rose. I picked up a few the last time I was in Champagne.
For sparkling wines not from Champagne, you can't beat Chandon's Blanc de Noirs for inexpensive, tasty bubbles. I usually keep a few bottles in the cellar for opening whenever the mood strikes me.