Champagne Anyone?

Champagne Anyone? (Full Version)

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RottenJohnny -> Champagne Anyone? (12/10/2015 10:23:54 PM)
So, within the next week I'll be celebrating my 50th birthday. As the youngest of four sons, I thought I'd share the milestone with my mother who probably deserves more credit for my brothers and I successfully reaching this age than we do considering some of the truly crazy things we've done over the years. [8D] I decided sharing a bottle of good champagne would be something she'd enjoy but I've found myself at something of a crossroads. My first choice was, of course, Dom Perignon. I've never had an opportunity to try some before so I thought this was the perfect time. But after talking to some friends who have all tried it, they've all said it was either too dry or bitter. Personally, I don't have a lot of experience with wines or champagnes since I'm typically a bourbon kind of guy. The few times I've searched out something that tickles my nose it's never been anything but a cheap bottle of Asti-Spumante, which I actually liked. I thought I'd ask if anyone here has a more refined palate for this and can possibly make a suggestion for something different? Or will I get the same results regardless of what I choose? I'm not opposed to spending a few hundred dollars for a bottle if it's going to be worth it. Any ideas?

Dvr22999874 -> RE: Champagne Anyone? (12/10/2015 10:30:26 PM)
See if you can find an Australian wine from Brown Brothers. It's a very nice champagne style of wine and not overly expensive. Happy Birthday Johnno smile

Dvr22999874 -> RE: Champagne Anyone? (12/10/2015 10:33:28 PM)
Patricia, Pinot Noir Chardonnay, Brut is a Brown Brothers champagne style wine that is really delicious. If you try it, I hope you enjoy it. I think you will.

RottenJohnny -> RE: Champagne Anyone? (12/10/2015 10:35:00 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Dvr22999874 See if you can find an Australian wine from Brown Brothers. It's a very nice champagne style of wine and not overly expensive. Happy Birthday Johnno smile Thank you, good sir. I'll put that on my research list. [:)]

OsideGirl -> RE: Champagne Anyone? (12/10/2015 10:40:22 PM)
I like Louis Roederer which would run in the $200 range, or the same company makes Cristal starting around $400. Perrier Jouet is good as well and would come in just under $200. Piper Heidsieck is good champagne that runs around the $40 mark and they offer a Demi Sec which would be sweeter and less dry than the Brut varieties.

RottenJohnny -> RE: Champagne Anyone? (12/10/2015 10:50:09 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: OsideGirl I like Louis Roederer which would run in the $200 range, or the same company makes Cristal starting around $400. Perrier Jouet is good as well and would come in just under $200. Piper Heidsieck is good champagne that runs around the $40 mark and they offer a Demi Sec which would be sweeter and less dry than the Brut varieties. I was wondering about the term "Brut". I thought it was just a brand but while looking around I discovered its association with sweetness. I'd like to avoid something too sweet. Is a Demi Sec going to be nearer the middle of the sweetness scale or closer to the high end?

OsideGirl -> RE: Champagne Anyone? (12/10/2015 10:57:22 PM)
The range from dryest to sweetest is: Ultra Brut - no sugar at all Brut - dry, no perception of sweetness Extra Dry - off dry, slightly sweet Sec - dry, but noticibly sweet Demi Sec - sweet Doux - sweetest I usually go for Extra Dry, myself...unless I'm doing something pink with dessert.

angelikaJ -> RE: Champagne Anyone? (12/10/2015 10:58:07 PM)
There is a New Mexico Winery: Gruet, that makes some award winning sparkling wines. http://gruetwinery.com/

DaddySatyr -> RE: Champagne Anyone? (12/10/2015 11:31:13 PM)
I'm sorry I can't help you with the champagne thing (I despise anything "dry"), but I wanted to take the opportunity to wish you a very happy birthday and share some wisdom that my grandfather shared with me: "Michael, the first century is the toughest". Peace and many happy returns, Michael

RottenJohnny -> RE: Champagne Anyone? (12/10/2015 11:55:02 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: DaddySatyr I'm sorry I can't help you with the champagne thing (I despise anything "dry"), but I wanted to take the opportunity to wish you a very happy birthday and share some wisdom that my grandfather shared with me: "Michael, the first century is the toughest". Peace and many happy returns, Michael [:D] Thanks!

Greta75 -> RE: Champagne Anyone? (12/11/2015 2:36:55 AM)
Dom Perignon too dry or bitter? I've tasted Dom Perignon from 1960's and up. It's certainly not too dry or bitter. It's a very complex and masculine wine, round and full of oak, not very fruity. I'm a huge champagne fan! And I always drink champagne in bed when I have sex. Happening tmw night again!! But I suspect you may not appreciate any champagne at all if dryness is a problem, because the hallmark of great champagnes is dryness. So may I suggest you look for any champagne with the word "demi-sec" in it. You will find that it is a little sweeter and may be more suitable to your taste. Trust me on this one.

Greta75 -> RE: Champagne Anyone? (12/11/2015 2:39:08 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: RottenJohnny I was wondering about the term "Brut". I thought it was just a brand but while looking around I discovered its association with sweetness. I'd like to avoid something too sweet. Is a Demi Sec going to be nearer the middle of the sweetness scale or closer to the high end? If you like Asti-spumante, demi-sec is perfect for you. But the problem with champagne sweetness is that they blend the sweet juice in, so often, the sugar taste very disconnected from the whole wine. It's not like for example German rieslings sweetness level are base on ripeness of the grape. Champagne just blends everything. Personally, if it's a super special occasion, best to go with something you know for sure you will love. But at the same time, would love to hear your feedback on the demi sec. Maybe get Veuve Cliquot which will have good acid balance. Because now that I am thinking about it, Asti Spumante has very low alcohol for a start, and that's where the sweetness come from. It's very natural. It's simply not fermented all the way and they left some natural sugars to stay, thus the low alcohol. With champagne, they simply add in the sweetness. It will taste totally different. That's why I don't like sugar in my champagne! Ultra Brut is best!

Greta75 -> RE: Champagne Anyone? (12/11/2015 2:42:38 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: OsideGirl The range from dryest to sweetest is: Ultra Brut - no sugar at all Brut - dry, no perception of sweetness Extra Dry - off dry, slightly sweet Sec - dry, but noticibly sweet Demi Sec - sweet Doux - sweetest I usually go for Extra Dry, myself...unless I'm doing something pink with dessert. I love Ultra Brut, especially Devaux Ultra Brut Champagne. That's my absolute favourite! Ahh I'm mad about wines! Especially anything austere with high acidity is right up my alley!

LadyConstanze -> RE: Champagne Anyone? (12/11/2015 6:30:30 AM)
Actually the German Riesling grape is left on the vine until after the first frost, that's why it's so sweet (absolutely disgusting imho)

Lucylastic -> RE: Champagne Anyone? (12/11/2015 6:49:12 AM)
Welcome to the 50 and over club :) Just wanted to wish you a happy belly button day, cos..champers n me dont get on..

DesFIP -> RE: Champagne Anyone? (12/11/2015 12:45:55 PM)
I'm not a Dom Perignon fan, I far prefer Moet Chandon.

NorthernGent -> RE: Champagne Anyone? (12/11/2015 1:37:48 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: RottenJohnny So, within the next week I'll be celebrating my 50th birthday. As the youngest of four sons, I thought I'd share the milestone with my mother who probably deserves more credit for my brothers and I successfully reaching this age than we do considering some of the truly crazy things we've done over the years. [8D] I decided sharing a bottle of good champagne would be something she'd enjoy but I've found myself at something of a crossroads. My first choice was, of course, Dom Perignon. I've never had an opportunity to try some before so I thought this was the perfect time. But after talking to some friends who have all tried it, they've all said it was either too dry or bitter. Personally, I don't have a lot of experience with wines or champagnes since I'm typically a bourbon kind of guy. The few times I've searched out something that tickles my nose it's never been anything but a cheap bottle of Asti-Spumante, which I actually liked. I thought I'd ask if anyone here has a more refined palate for this and can possibly make a suggestion for something different? Or will I get the same results regardless of what I choose? I'm not opposed to spending a few hundred dollars for a bottle if it's going to be worth it. Any ideas? Just have a beer or something. Will save being 50 odd quid lighter in the pocket.

LadyConstanze -> RE: Champagne Anyone? (12/11/2015 3:16:08 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: RottenJohnny So, within the next week I'll be celebrating my 50th birthday. As the youngest of four sons, I thought I'd share the milestone with my mother who probably deserves more credit for my brothers and I successfully reaching this age than we do considering some of the truly crazy things we've done over the years. [8D] I decided sharing a bottle of good champagne would be something she'd enjoy but I've found myself at something of a crossroads. My first choice was, of course, Dom Perignon. I've never had an opportunity to try some before so I thought this was the perfect time. But after talking to some friends who have all tried it, they've all said it was either too dry or bitter. Personally, I don't have a lot of experience with wines or champagnes since I'm typically a bourbon kind of guy. The few times I've searched out something that tickles my nose it's never been anything but a cheap bottle of Asti-Spumante, which I actually liked. I thought I'd ask if anyone here has a more refined palate for this and can possibly make a suggestion for something different? Or will I get the same results regardless of what I choose? I'm not opposed to spending a few hundred dollars for a bottle if it's going to be worth it. Any ideas? Good champagne tends to be on the dry side, if you don't like it, why on earth spend the money for something you don't like? The old widow aka Veuve Clicquot has some quite quoffable bottles of non-vintage champagne that will only set you back about £30 to £50 but again if it's not your drink, why bother? Get a bottle of something you DO like, it's your damned birthday!

OsideGirl -> RE: Champagne Anyone? (12/11/2015 3:39:16 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: LadyConstanze Get a bottle of something you DO like, it's your damned birthday! She's got a point. You could just as easily splurge on a bottle of Blanton's Bourbon.

LadyConstanze -> RE: Champagne Anyone? (12/11/2015 3:45:52 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: OsideGirl quote: ORIGINAL: LadyConstanze Get a bottle of something you DO like, it's your damned birthday! She's got a point. You could just as easily splurge on a bottle of Blanton's Bourbon. I like champagne but if you don't like it, just can't see the point, it would be like giving me a bottle of bourbon, if I drink whiskey it has to be a single malt and most likely an Islay one. We all like what we do like, forcing down something you don't enjoy just doesn't seem to make any sense.

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