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Consolidated "Champagne - Questions/Suggestions/Recommendations" thread

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Consolidated "Champagne - Questions/Suggestions/Recommendations" thread

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Old Nov 26, 2013 | 3:34 pm
  #751  
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Originally Posted by milepig
Do you christen a lot of ships?
Not to take this off-topic, but +1. I'm curious.
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Old Nov 26, 2013 | 4:35 pm
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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!

Originally Posted by bitburgr
Not to take this off-topic, but +1. I'm curious.
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.
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Old Nov 26, 2013 | 6:22 pm
  #753  
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Originally Posted by flyboy60
I'll be the contrarian - I think you should start with one of the best California sparklers made by a French Champagne house. My personal favorite is Roederer Estate Brut. Should set you back $20-25.
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.
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Old Nov 26, 2013 | 7:35 pm
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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.
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Old Nov 27, 2013 | 4:50 am
  #755  
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Originally Posted by flyboy60
I'll be the contrarian - I think you should start with one of the best California sparklers made by a French Champagne house. My personal favorite is Roederer Estate Brut. Should set you back $20-25.
excellent choice. i like most of the french champagne house champagne.
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Old Nov 27, 2013 | 5:07 am
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Originally Posted by agp423
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.
Moet isn't bad at all. I am sure they will be pleased with your selection. Good to know that some of the more affordable options were favored in taste tests. Perhaps price doesn't equal preference.
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Old Nov 27, 2013 | 5:50 am
  #757  
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Originally Posted by fpc552
$80 for Veuve-Clicquot? Unless is is La Grande Dame (the prestige cuve) I think that's highway robbery. I usually look to pay around $40-$50/bottle for the basic, non-vintage cuve.
I like the Veuve-Clicquot - it's a little less dry that the Moet IMO.
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Old Nov 27, 2013 | 6:27 am
  #758  
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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.
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Old Nov 27, 2013 | 8:20 am
  #759  
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Originally Posted by Eastbay1K
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.
Well, I'll admit that this recommendation was based upon the best quality for the dollar, not the label snob-appeal. Although, Roederer is a well respected Champagne house, so the name should still carry some prestige for their California wines - which IMHO, are superior to all but their highest end vintage French Champagnes.
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Old Nov 27, 2013 | 8:29 am
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Originally Posted by flyboy60
I'll be the contrarian - I think you should start with one of the best California sparklers made by a French Champagne house. My personal favorite is Roederer Estate Brut. Should set you back $20-25.
This. The best widely available quality to price ratio on the market, IMHO.

Last edited by rjque; Nov 27, 2013 at 2:30 pm
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Old Nov 27, 2013 | 10:10 am
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California produces delightful sparkling wines.
See if your wine-person has anything by Laetitia
out of San Luis Obispo County. Average price = $20, I think.
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Old Nov 27, 2013 | 10:12 am
  #762  
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My favorite is Mot Nectar Imperial, but it may be to sweet for most.
Other ones I like are:
Gloria Ferrer (California)
Roederer Estate (California)
Perrier Jouet (France)
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Old Nov 27, 2013 | 10:12 am
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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.
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Old Nov 27, 2013 | 5:43 pm
  #764  
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Originally Posted by Showbizguru
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.
But...a truly great Champagne is stars in a bottle.
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Old Nov 28, 2013 | 9:13 am
  #765  
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Originally Posted by agp423
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!
$80 for the basic Veuve is crazy...should be $35-40.

Nicolas Feuillante is also very good for about $25-30.
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