Pierre Gimonnet Brut

The champagne of light beers--Miller Lite

No vintage for me on NYE, I find NYE parties to involve a bit too much alcohol consumption to splash on high quality stuff that I might be too intoxicated to really enjoy. So Bollinger Special Cuvee it is, very quaffable I think.

V Cliquot

Going with something a bit different this year some NZ Cloudy Bay Pelorus

1998 Dom Perignon

Got two bottles on NV Deutz in a gift basket and a bottle of '98 Dom.
I don't drink so into the regifting closet they go

Opened a 3L bottle of iron horse. Obviously didn't drink it all.

Most of the night was spent with white star and Veuve

A demi of Bardy-Chauffert (our favourite independent champagne house) while we were getting dressed for a house party we attended. Then Nicholas Feuillate Rose (supplied by another guest) at the house party, to toast the new year. Good but not great. For brunch, we used Roederer Estate Brut (Anderson Valley, CA) as a base for mimosas, although it's really a little too good to waste on champagne cocktails.

I wished i had read this ahead of time. We just had sparkling Corona!

IRN BRU - the review:

Full Strength : Interesting biscuity overtones with an excellent finish. Probably best matched with - deep fried mars bar. 92/100

Diet : A little disappointing, perhaps too green and could have done with a couple more weeks in the tin. Probably best matched with - NYE greasy burger on Princes Street. 84/100

nickyboy

We enjoyed the Baileyana Brut Rose'.

A standard champagne bottle stopper (which clamps around the lower lip of the bottle) will keep the bubbles for maybe a day or so, as long as the bottle is kept well chilled in the fridge. I got mine at Williams Sonoma a while back for I don't know how much, but it did the job when I was with friends in the TPA area for this last NYE sufficiently for nice mimosas at brunch on NYD.

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.
Currently looking at a Veuve Clicquot Rare Vintage Rose '85, and after reading this thread am thinking about Billecart Salmon Rose as well, although that doesn't have quite the "wow" factor I am looking for.
Krug rose seems to be out of my price range. Bollinger R.D. is described frequently as "yeasty" which isn't what I am looking for either.

Her favorite standard champagne is Veuve Yellow Label if that helps. My favorite for frequent drinking is Charles Heidseck Brut reserve. Although her tastes are more important than mine, especially in this instance.

Thanks for any and all recommendations :-). I will be purchasing now for drinking in 3-6 months. I am located in SF Bay Area if people have a favorite local merchant for pickup, otherwise I can receive shipments.

edit: Just wanted to note that I am not specifically looking for a Rose, it just happens that a Rose is in the top slot right now

Krug vintage non-rose. I think it is tough to go wrong with that. I think it is wonderful. The only champagne I like better is Krug Clos du Mesnil