Champagne Recommendations Anyone?

M

MikeUT00

Guest
Looking for some champagne recommendations. Just interested in what others like. Isn't for a specific meal or event, so no need for questions about what it is being paired with or the like.

What are some of the brands/vintages/lines that y'all enjoy/recommend? Price is no issue ...
 
I'm a fan of Veuve Clicquot, not too pricey, but smooth and easy to drink. There are some nice Rose Champagnes out right now too, but don't know any of the names of the ones I've had.
 
Big fan of Montaudon. Very reasonable (usually under $25). In my opinion, it's much better than Moet.
 
You need to check out Frank Family Vineyards. They only sell through their website. Very high quality champagne (they apparently didn't sign some agreement with France and still call it champagne) for a reasonable price. I am a big fan of the Blanc de Blancs and the Rouge is perfect with turkey for Thanksgiving or Christmas (although currently sold out).
 
We like all sorts of champagne, although it does need to be "methode champenoise" rather than charmat bulk process or some other shortcut. (Coppola makes a pretty, but awful, canned version that is clearly just carbonated white wine.)

Dom Perignon is the standard to some and we really like it for very special occasions. "The Widow Cliquot" is very good stuff, and we have gotten some French label which bears a British royal warrant, but I can't recall the brand; it would be our favorite import if price is considered. Royal warrants are really meaningful endorsements on stuff like this.

Bubbly is not an every day thing for us, but Domaine Chandon would be our daily favorite if it were. I would really like to retire and get a job there as their night watchman; the air in the chilly cellar is intoxicating.
 
I like Schramburg (sp?) for champagne. their Blanc de Blancs is excellent, to me.

for bargains, try some from Spain. I've enjoyes some of those, but I don't remember which producers it was.
 
I bought some Charles Heidsieck Blanc de Millenaires vintage 1990 (its a blanc de blanc), a few years ago and it was fabulous. I liked it so much I bought like six bottles and kept them on hand for New Years Eve, special occasions, etc. for several years. My local liquor store had it on sale for $90 per bottle.

An the other end of the cost spectrum, try Domaine Ste. Michelle blanc de noirs for $10-15/bottle; it's less dry than regular champagne, or a blanc de blanc and has notes of cherry, strawberry, etc. Drink it to celebrate a Longhorn victory (it's burnt orange in color!).
 
Iron Horse 1998 Blanc de Blancs ($36) is really nice, easy drinking wine. And the late disgorged one ($80) is really special.
 
My favorite drink! Here are some recommendations*:
*denotes champagne; others are sparkling wine or cavas

Under $10
Cristalino Brut (best value for the price, we buy this stuff by the case ~$7)
Francois Montand

Under $30
Gruet Blanc de Noirs
Domaine Carneros Brut
Chandon
Gloria Ferrer
Iron Horse Wedding Cuvee
*Pommery Brut

Under $50
Schramsberg 2001 Blanc de Noirs
*Duval Leroy Rose de Saignee
*Nicolas Feuillatte
*Veuve Clicquot
*Egly-Ouriet
*Deutz Brut
*Louis Roederer Brut Premier
*Perrier Jouet

I usually buy NV, but I do recall that the Veuve Clicquot 1999 Reserve was very good.
 
I usually go with any of the following, depending on the occasion:
Veuve Clicquot
Louis Roederer
Perrier Jouet
Iron Horse
Dom
 
I'm going to suggest Franciacorta (Italian method champenois) just because no one else has (I think). I tasted the staff on Bella Vista on Thursday we all agreed it rocks. $35-45 in a store and well worth it.
 
I was about to recommend New Mexico's (yeah, New Mexico's) Gruet, but 1990 beat me to it. Very surprising, but an outstanding value sparkling wine.

Another we like is Segura Viudas, a Spanish cava. Has a nice subtle yeast taste like the real thing. Usually around $15-$20 at World Market.

Mrs. Tull has taken a real liking to Prosecco lately. Two of her favorites are Conti Neri and Colli Trevagiani. Both at Central Market at around $13.

We buy a lot of Schramsberg, also. A sentimental favorite after one of those magical California wine country trips. Their product is outstanding, too.

I can't find fault with one single wine listed on this thread. In fact, I'm now thinking shellfish with one of these sparklers for dinner tonight.
 
Veuve Cliquot. Although if you want to be a little different and make you wife/girlfriend happy, buy Banfi's Rosa Rigale, red sparkling italian wine, goes well with chocolate, rasberries or dessert, around $20
 
Bollinger RD ('75 was incredible)

Veuve and Pommery good for cheaper occasions. So are many of the other champagnes listed.
 
Opened a couple of bottles of Dom the other night. The '98 was very nice as usual. The '82 was amazing.

Thanks for the suggestions. Good thread. Hope more are to come ...
 
I've become a big fan of the Cremant d'Bourgognes that are sold at Spec's in Houston. We just tried the Cremant d'Alsace from there and it was terrific. These are all under $15.

Living in Dallas area, I haven't found these in the metroplex.
 
Veuve Cliquot Ponsardin... and.. it's only $34 at Costco.
The Veuve Rose is very good as well.

Laurent Perrier has a nuttier taste to it and is very tasty.
 
Champagne begins and ends with Krug IMHO, but Schramburg and Dom are also quite good.

BTW, don't listen to what ANYONE says, Cristal is piss and should be reserved for chumps who don't know WTF they are doing. $30,000 millionaires say BALLIN'
 
Keep in mind champagne can only be called champagne if it is made in Champagne, France with grapes grown there. Basically it is just a sparkling wine. Sparkling wine from Italy or the US is basically the same as champagne.

I have always liked Aste Spumante better than any champagne.
 
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