Bubbley Tidbits

Ah champagne – who doesn’t love it, right? It just seems to make things a little more special and of course who doesn’t want to feel special. Of course it doesn’t come cheap and the cheap stuff tends to cause headaches. In most cases, I’d just a soon open a bottle of prosecco or sparkling wine. They are definitely serviceable stand-ins. However, sometimes you just have to have the real stuff. There are certain events that just call for it (weddings, anniversaries, digging yourself out of the doghouse). Anyway, here’s a few selections I recommend. Both of these aren’t as famous as the big Champagne houses and because of that, you get a wine that’s probably better for the price.

NV Pierre Morlet Grand Reserve Premier Cru Champagne

Here was a really complex champagne, due to the mix of Pinot Noir (70%) and Chardonnay (30%). The wine had very earthy flavors, including apples and nutmeg, but also Asian spices and musty truffles. The depth was surprising as this wine had a really long finish. Not exactly the wine you want for casual sipping, but more of a thinking man’s Champagne. Priced around $30.

Rating: 92pts

NV Duval-Leroy Brut Champagne

This was a classic Brut champagne full of apples and biscuit flavors. This wine was a really winner. The wine possessed baked brioche and cinnamon notes, mixed with a little lemon and fresh cream. While the wine really had a nice complexity to it, the overall quality of the fruit allowed it to blend perfectly with a rich buttery seafood risotto we served this with. Priced around $40.

Rating: 94pts

Wine Reviews champagne