Bon Vivant: (n) a person having cultivated, refined, and sociable tastes especially with respect to food and drink.

Blog

Drink this, not that: New Years Edition

Posted in: Bang for Your Buck, Bon Vivant, Bubbly, Drink Well, Helpful Hints, Holidays, Rosé, Seasonal Sips, Tried and Trues

I think we can all agree most bubbly is essentially just “varying levels of delicious,” as my wino friend, Trevor, put it.

Tis the season...for drinking Champagne in front of the fire!

Tis the season…for drinking Champagne in front of the fire!

However, there are always choices when it comes to spending your hard earned cash.  All too often I see people drinking big, corporate mass-produced wines that are the same price as better, lesser known bottles.

Check out my suggestions below if you want to branch out of your bubbly rut!

If you want to spend…

$10-$12

Steer clear of your grocery store’s Korbel display.  It’s tired and mass produced.  I saw three TV ads for the brand last night alone! (That’s what you’re paying for, by the way!) Check out a local wine shop for a small production cava or prosecco.  I like Dibon Cava for a nice change of pace in the budget bubbly range.

$20-$30

Jansz is an Australian sparkling wine from Tasmania-it’s an outstanding value from a tiny but mighty sparkling wine region!

Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Noirs is another favorite from California.  Although this is a large producer and widely available they don’t skimp on quality!

Bohigas Semi-Sec Cava is a great bet for those who like their bubbly with just a touch of sweetness.

I’d be remiss not to include a Virginia option, and Thibaut-Janisson is it!  Try their FIZZ for $20 or the Blanc de Blanc for $30.  The latter was served at a White House State Dinner!

$40-$50

This is the sweet spot for most entry level Champagnes, and while the ubiquitous orange label of Veuve Cliquot seems to be EVERYWHERE, that doesn’t mean it’s the best for the money.

I adore André Clouet Brut Rosé, Pol Roger, Laurent Perrier, and a recent favorite, Aubry.  See past the orange label and advertising! Remember, you want a winemaker who puts their money where YOUR mouth is, not into pricey advertising campaigns.

$175-$200

Dom Perignon has the big name, but ask any wino their preference and you’ll get a resounding preference for Krug. If you’re spending big, it’s the only way to go!

Finally, remember to check your local wine store.  They are sure to have great options from smaller Champagne houses that offer outstanding value (that’s how I found my latest love, Aubry!).

What’s your favorite Champagne or Sparkling Wine?

cheers

 

(6) Comments

  1. Is there a local place on or near the Hill to buy some of these? Looking in the $10 – $30 range. And if you’re going to a party, how many bottles would you recommend bringing per guest attending?

    • I’ll be stopping by Chat’s since they typically have smaller production grower Champagnes. How many bottles/guest is up to you, but people do tend to imbibe more bubbly tonight than any other! You may want to consider a large format bottle like a magnum! They’re festive and sometimes you can save a bit of $$! Cheers!

  2. Gloria Ferrer is def one of my favs. Some others are Buitiful Rose Cava, Greenhill (VA) Blanc de Blanc, Old Westminister Blanc de Blanc (MD), Marques de Monistrol Cava, J Vineyards Brut, Schrambsburg Mirabelle Brut.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *