I just opened for my R&D teammates this week a Pierre Paillard Brut Rose and it was, as always, amazing.
What was nice is that we opened it in a nice French place, and the sommelier was flattering the selection. Not nice- $25 corkage fee, though the website said corkage fee free on Monday-Wednesday (one bottle only).

Why did you pay it?

I'm glad I loaded up on Laurent-Perrier, regular price $29.99 at a local spot for about 6 months. Now, it's gone up to $41.99.

I need to know which fights to pick while remaining a good host of the group. It is a very good restaurant.
I wrote to the restaurant manager and requested a clarification. If s/he do not respond, I will note the place to my blacklist...

I opened a blanc de blanc for three good reasons- (a) I wanted to try it, as I had the champagne and never tried it (b) I wanted to settle the debate above, (c) I said to myself... what the heck? I cooked dinner, I can try something nice

Sadly, I have to side with Gaucho. I was not that impressed. To be honest, I have to note that I had few very good champagne tastings this week (and few, but not many nice bubbles during my EU travel last week), including Franck Bonville and Pierre Paillard. So, my taste was biased, though I don't think it was biased to an extent.
I found the Blanc the Blanc to be very good, but not a good return for the price range. Actually, if I were to go through my old tasting notes, I believe I can easily find two or three champagnes that I found more impressive in the same price range (+/- 10 dollars each direction, maybe even five). I found myself disappointed with the finish (very short), and with the fact that the taste did not develop at all. very strong lime at the beginning (got weaker), but very little of the typical background tastes and balances. Weak on the mineral taste in the background that I usually really like. It was good, but nothing special. Not a bad champagne at all, but there is a certain bar when it comes to Ruinart, especially blanc de blac. This one did not meet the expectations. By lieu of example, as I write the notes- it is five minutes (actually less) since I pour the glass, and the bubbles are almost gone. It did not happen to me in any of the other champagnes tasted this week. Actually, I am a bit disappointed. I had better past experience with Ruinart. I will double check the bottle to see if there are any signs of something unusual. (It has been sitting in proper storage conditions since I purchased it in April 2012, so I cannot assume it is a storage issue)

Completely understandable if lamentable. Hopefully they credit it back to you on a future visit.

Regarding Ruinart, I mostly agree with your tasting notes above. Have you tried their rose? It's exceptionally deep and rich; worth tasting.

Go for Grower champagnes such as Cedric Bouchard Les Usules or Agrapart either the Terroirs or Mineral or Ulysse Collin. You aren't paying for advertising like the big houses.

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll check them out. I recently picked up a Launois based on a recommendation earlier in the thread (and elsewhere) and I'm looking forward to trying it.

May I ask for your thoughts on Alfred Gratien Brut Classique? I had a bottle last week and was extremely impressed; is this something worth recommending to people just getting into champagne as an excellent value bottle?

seems this thing and the bouchard have very little chard(if any), and are made by a small grower. i boght a pure pinot noir from wtso for $20 delivered last week. realy nice wine.

Sadly, I have not tried any Alfred Gratien champagnes. Cedric Bouchard produces La Haut-Lemblee which is 100% chardonnay from 5 root stocks and La Boloree which is 100% Pinot Blanc. Mind you, these two cuvees from Bouchard are big bucks. Champagne Laherte has Les 7 (previously Les Clos) which is a blend of all seven permitted varieties (Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris (a.k.a. Frominteau), Chardonnay, Petit Meslier and Arbanne). Champagne Aubry has a cuvee which has 6 of the 7 permitted varieties. Another producer to look for is Godme. In 2010, Godme's Brut Reserve was the only champagne to be listed on Wine Spectator's Top 100 list. Champagne Tarlant's La Vigne d'Antan is a champagne's only 100% chardonnay grown on ungrafted vines. It is much cheaper than Bollinger's Vielles Vignes Francaises which is 100% Pinot Noir from ungrafted vines.

Do wine and champagne snobs equate price with great taste?
If you drink a $150/bottle champagne do "you" (subconsciously) taste its greatness?
I've been to some of the "big name" Champagneries in Rheims and Epernay and after taking their tours gotten to taste some very good (not exceptional--you probably don't get this on a tour) Champagnes.
Is (say) Veuve Cl. at $75 a bottle 15x better than Andre's Extra Dry at $5 a bottle?

Marketing is everything in the wine biz.

That said, the centuries old tradition of wine tasting is still alive for a reason.

Where does Veuve retail for $75 a bottle? I've been paying ~$38 for the past couple years.

Perhaps (s)he was referring to Veuve Rose, which you can also get for less than $75. Or Veuve at at Bar or Restaurant.

Either way, the answer is yes, Veuve Clicquot at $75 is better than Andre at $5.