Start drinking? It is already widely available in Europe. Nyetimber ao keep winning awards as best sparkling.

I'll try it but I can't find it in Raleigh. It has a similar but not identical blend as Veuve Clicquot. I will have to see the percentages in each.

Miss this thread.

I have a couple decent sparklers in the wine fridge, but I am thinking of picking up something more special to enjoy over the next day or so. ;)

Is anyone familiar with Pierre Paillard? I'm looking at their Les Parcelles, which comes in just under my $50 budget. Other ideas at that price point?

I don't know about Paillard, but on an entirely different subject, may I recommend a Spanish alternative that is downright acceptable (albeit not great)? My brother gave me a bottle of 2021 Raventos i Blanc. A very nice bubbly. I went to buy more, and could only get the 2022 which I think was even nicer. It's a great choice to have if you want to serve to people who might not appreciate something more expensive (or on a week night when you might want a little something effervescent without spending a lot.)

Your choices are limited to sparkling from California…. Or Florida. Take your pick. 🙂

I was going to go with Veuve but ended up with Mumms Napa.

I have a bottle of Roederer Estate from Mendocino county, Ca in the fridge. Going with the Florida option might as well just be drinking out of the toilet. And I mean that in every sense of the word.
Actually, my fav California bubbles are Schramsberg blanc de blanc which fits in your price range. Assuming you decide to go California rather than French.

I agree on the Schramsberg, if you can't find any affordable French. We bought a bottle of Veuve to (hopefully) celebrate tonight. Wildly, at the Target on Kauai, there was only a $1 difference between Yellow Label and Rose at the Kauai Target ($89 v. $90 :eek:). Only $57 (IIRC) at Costco.

I didn’t like Schramsberg that much. I prefer Veuve.

Well, duh. :D

I should have been more clear. Schramsberg is OK if you have to do a California sparkling.

I'm partial to Pol Roger, though my budget isn't. My brother brought along a bottle of Ruinart a few weeks ago for himself, his wife and me to try. I think he found a "deal" at about $90. There was not a thing wrong with it. Perfect in a very pretty, well mannered sort of way.

But not worth a repeat, in our mind. Whew! That's a relief! I sure don't want to lie awake at night dreaming about a $90 champagne that I really want but can't afford.

Well I guess I can drink Dom Perignon if that’s all you have. 😂

Truth be told, I actually found Dom Perignon too yeasty for me.

I recall sampling the Argentine version of Ruinart several years ago at a FT Buenos Aires do. I deliberately pronounced it Riunite - the host wasn't amused. :D

It's actually kinda funny that he/she wasn't amused.

We had a bottle for a few years before we opened it. The cork was dry. It was ok.