Consolidated "Champagne - Questions/Suggestions/Recommendations" thread
#752




Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist, AF Silver
Posts: 5,018
Veuve-Clicquot was a bit out of my price range. The store had it for about $80. For that much I might as well throw in $30 more and get a bottle of Dom. Too bad NJ Costcos don't carry alcohol. I ended up with a bottle of Moet. Will report back Thursday!
Well I think most people think of champagne as things to shake up and pop for celebrations, and that's what I use them for. Water works at big celebrations.
Well I think most people think of champagne as things to shake up and pop for celebrations, and that's what I use them for. Water works at big celebrations.
#753
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Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
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Sad to say, depending on who you're bringing it to, this results in an immediate poopoo reaction. Plenty of good California bubbles. Also plenty of good bubbles from elsewhere, including France, without the name Champagne. But you have to know your crowd, and better to bring a lesser Champagne than a better something else.
#754
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: IAD
Posts: 319
First bottle of champagne... recommendations?
$80 for Veuve-Clicquot? Unless is is La Grande Dame (the prestige cuvée) I think that's highway robbery. I usually look to pay around $40-$50/bottle for the basic, non-vintage cuvée.
#755
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Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: south of WAS DC
Posts: 10,131
excellent choice. i like most of the french champagne house champagne.
#756
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: DCA
Posts: 292
Veuve-Clicquot was a bit out of my price range. The store had it for about $80. For that much I might as well throw in $30 more and get a bottle of Dom. Too bad NJ Costcos don't carry alcohol. I ended up with a bottle of Moet. Will report back Thursday!
Well I think most people think of champagne as things to shake up and pop for celebrations, and that's what I use them for. Water works at big celebrations.
Well I think most people think of champagne as things to shake up and pop for celebrations, and that's what I use them for. Water works at big celebrations.
#757
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#758
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,159
The bottom line is that Champagne is the biggest marketing rip-off in the history of alcoholic drink.
A good Spanish cava or Italian prosecco is just as good as any champagne and regularly perform just as well in blind tastings.
Equally some cheap champagnes are just as good as those costing many times more.
All these drinks are merely common blended grapes with fizz added - it's only hugely exensive marketing,product placement and aggressive legal action to protect the brand which gives champagne its cache.
That said, I am partial to a bottle of Pol Roger in the Savoy's American Bar with an old chum of mine, every time I'm in London.
A good Spanish cava or Italian prosecco is just as good as any champagne and regularly perform just as well in blind tastings.
Equally some cheap champagnes are just as good as those costing many times more.
All these drinks are merely common blended grapes with fizz added - it's only hugely exensive marketing,product placement and aggressive legal action to protect the brand which gives champagne its cache.
That said, I am partial to a bottle of Pol Roger in the Savoy's American Bar with an old chum of mine, every time I'm in London.
#759
Suspended
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 738
Sad to say, depending on who you're bringing it to, this results in an immediate poopoo reaction. Plenty of good California bubbles. Also plenty of good bubbles from elsewhere, including France, without the name Champagne. But you have to know your crowd, and better to bring a lesser Champagne than a better something else.
#760
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Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Portland
Posts: 11,690
This. The best widely available quality to price ratio on the market, IMHO.
Last edited by rjque; Nov 27, 2013 at 2:30 pm
#763
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SPG/Marriott PLT
Posts: 275
Veuve-Clicquot ! All the way. It's not too expansive, about $30, looks and taste wonderfully, and classy. If you have a big group, get yourself the magnum or double magnum size, going to make all your guests super excited and picture perfect.
#764
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Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 16,934
The bottom line is that Champagne is the biggest marketing rip-off in the history of alcoholic drink.
A good Spanish cava or Italian prosecco is just as good as any champagne and regularly perform just as well in blind tastings.
Equally some cheap champagnes are just as good as those costing many times more.
All these drinks are merely common blended grapes with fizz added - it's only hugely exensive marketing,product placement and aggressive legal action to protect the brand which gives champagne its cache.
That said, I am partial to a bottle of Pol Roger in the Savoy's American Bar with an old chum of mine, every time I'm in London.
A good Spanish cava or Italian prosecco is just as good as any champagne and regularly perform just as well in blind tastings.
Equally some cheap champagnes are just as good as those costing many times more.
All these drinks are merely common blended grapes with fizz added - it's only hugely exensive marketing,product placement and aggressive legal action to protect the brand which gives champagne its cache.
That said, I am partial to a bottle of Pol Roger in the Savoy's American Bar with an old chum of mine, every time I'm in London.
#765
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Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: ORD
Posts: 14,773
Nicolas Feuillante is also very good for about $25-30.




