The Wine Thread

[maverickdrinker]

1996 was a great year for champagne in general. I had the 96 bollinger RD and it was fantastic. Not too experienced in vintage champagne. This is one of my new year's resolutions....

Originally Posted by maverickdrinker

1996 was a great year for champagne in general. I had the 96 bollinger RD and it was fantastic. Not too experienced in vintage champagne. This is one of my new year's resolutions....

Wine in general is something I want to get more versed in. I haven't had a Champagne in a while though. It's another wine I need to get a few bottles of. I'm also curious as to which other regions produce good sparkling wine.

How about Pol Roger? 1998 Sir Winston worth the price tag?

[TheRiddick]

Originally Posted by ChicagoWhiteSox

How about Pol Roger? 1998 Sir Winston worth the price tag?

Nate, if you really want to learn about Champagne I would recommend you start with small, family owned brands. They are easily as good as (almost) anything from big boys and way better priced. See if you can pick up Agrapart, Henri Billiot, Duval-LeRoy, Paul Bara or Henriot. If you want to spend a bit more I can recommend you try Billecart-Salmon Rose.

And you really need to try Etoile rose as well (Napa), I had it next to some better French versions and for me it was easily the better wine at much better price.

[mosesbotbol]

Originally Posted by ChicagoWhiteSox

How about Pol Roger? 1998 Sir Winston worth the price tag?

It is an excellent Champagne, but there are many nice ones. How much did you see it for? Under $150 I would go for it.

Originally Posted by TheRiddick

Nate, if you really want to learn about Champagne I would recommend you start with small, family owned brands. They are easily as good as (almost) anything from big boys and way better priced. See if you can pick up Agrapart, Henri Billiot, Duval-LeRoy, Paul Bara or Henriot. If you want to spend a bit more I can recommend you try Billecart-Salmon Rose.

And you really need to try Etoile rose as well (Napa), I had it next to some better French versions and for me it was easily the better wine at much better price.

Thanks for the advice Greg. I think I can get most of those you listed.

Originally Posted by mosesbotbol

It is an excellent Champagne, but there are many nice ones. How much did you see it for? Under $150 I would go for it.

Moses, most prices I have seen have been around $190-200.

[mosesbotbol]

Originally Posted by ChicagoWhiteSox

Moses, most prices I have seen have been around $190-200.

I would rather have the Taittinger Comte de Champagne at $150-200. For under $150, Pierre Peters Les Chetillons is hard to beat.

Can anyone comment on these producers?

Perrier-Jouët
Montaudon
Bruno Gobillard
Gaston Chiquet
Gosset
Pommery
Pierre Ferrand
Godmé Père & Fils
Jean Laurent
Laurent-Perrier
René Geoffroy

[rizzle]

Found a new bottle I like, Meiomi Pinot Noir. I don't know all y'alls jargon, so I'll just say, to me a really good find. Clean and crisp and smooth. And at $19.99, a nice buy.

[mosesbotbol]

Originally Posted by ChicagoWhiteSox

Wine in general is something I want to get more versed in. I haven't had a Champagne in a while though. It's another wine I need to get a few bottles of. I'm also curious as to which other regions produce good sparkling wine.

All over France sparkling wines are made. Check out Cremant; all the pleasure of Champagne at 20% the price. Made mostly with Pinot Noir and comes in various sweetness levels. Cava from Spain is good too. America makes a few noteworthy ones from TX and RI.