Champagne Outside the Envelope

Champagne is too expensive to be an everyday tipple, much as many of us might want to enjoy it on a daily basis. Rather, ít's a special occasion wine, and this often leads us to rely on familiar brand names when we splurge on a bottle of bubbly. While those old favorites - the Veuve Clicquots or Moet & Chandon - are fine and reliable fizz, there is more excitement out there. So this year, I suggest looking either to small grower Champagnes for something distinctive and individual, or to some nice bubbly from other regions. Drink outside the slipper, or the envelope, or whatever cliché you want to recite.

Anway, my recommendations for high quality fizz for those willing to splurge this holiday season are in today's Washington Post. (The online version has more recommendations than the print edition.) I'll have some bargain bubbly recommendations next week.

Cheers!
Dave

Comments

[M Barry]

A couple of years ago, I had a very good champagne that was produced in Albuquerque, NM. I believe the name was Gruet. Was that a fluke or is it still around?

[Dave McIntyre]

Gruet is still around and consistently producing fine, value-priced fizz!

[Scott]

Have you tried Couche? We tasted it at Tour de Champagne last month and thought it was fantastic. Alas, I don't think they have a US distributor yet.

[Dave McIntyre]

Cant say I have, no! Ill keep an eye out for it in case it ever comes out of hiding ...

[Scott]

They used to--and still might--pour it at Bubble Lounge champagne bar in NYC and SF if you're traveling anytime soon. The zero dosage is really really yummy.