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Post by lagatta on Dec 15, 2009 13:23:27 GMT
'Tis the season for ... sparkly wines.
Do you like them, or would you prefer a deep red wine at the same cost ... or a fine bitter beer?
Do you insist on real Champagne, or are you keen on some of the sparklers from other wine regions of the world?
Bone-dry? Or a bit off-dry (especially with dessert, foie gras or some other dishes), like the Riesling-based sparklers? (Crémant d'Alsace, good-quality German Sekt) Always white, or sometimes rosé?
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Post by imec on Dec 15, 2009 16:57:06 GMT
Crazy about them! I wouldn't dream of comparing it to red wine - or beer - for me it's a whole different, essential food group.
I don't insist on Champagne as I've found many fine example produced in many parts of the world - this way I get to enjoy it more often as (and lagatta knows this only too well) Champagne is frightfully expensive in all parts of Canada - even in Alberta where the government doesn't interfere in the distribution or retailing of alcohol.
Alternatives to Champagne I would consider are the Cremants such as those from Alsace, Bourgogne or Limoux. Some of the better Cavas from Spain. I once did a side by side tasting of an Australian Sparkling Rose next to a Pol Roger vintage rose and the Australian held its own considering it was a 1/4 of the price. Canada even produces the occasional surprise in this field (Stellar's Jay from BC's Sumac Ridge is one that comes to mind). And I have tasted some proseccos that I would be tempted to choose over Champagne.
As for the degree of sweetness, I think it's more about balance - a little sweetness is delightful with some matching acidity - whereas a poorly made Asti Spumante or Moscato d'Asti can be dreadful.
As for Champagne specifically, some is definitley better than others but I honestly think it's just snobbish to say that any of it is truly crap. An interesting observation I made recently was with a side by side tasting of basic and luxury crus from Moet and Veuve. The Veuve yellow label was delightful - fresh, fruity, refreshing whereas the Moet tasted tired and dull. When it came to the luxury cru however, the Grande Dame was just more of the same whereas the Dom Perignon had a depth which put it into a class of its own - stunning. I suppose this could very well be vintage dependent but I suspect house style has at least as big an influence.
Looking forward to lots of this stuff over the coming weeks!
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Post by Deleted on Dec 15, 2009 17:46:35 GMT
The French press has noted that champagne sales have plummeted so badly (down at least 20%) that "entry level" champagne in the supermarkets this year is going for just 10€.
I am not a big fan of sparkling wines myself, although I do recognize high quality ones when I taste them and have no trouble at all drinking them. However, I find a crémant du Jura or even a Saumur just as good quite often.
Probably if given a choice, I am the one who would choose a glass of fine red wine over a glass of champagne.
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Post by bazfaz on Dec 15, 2009 21:33:52 GMT
We took our car into Gourdon today to have new tyres fitted. While this being done we walked across the road to Lidlt. They had champagne for 8.99 euros.
Give me a cava over that any day.
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Post by lagatta on Dec 15, 2009 23:40:32 GMT
Has the bottom fallen out of the overseas champagne market? I thought a lot was sold to Russia, Japan and other countries outside Western Europe.
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Post by fumobici on Dec 16, 2009 2:45:55 GMT
I like most of these sparkling wines as long as they are dry. Honestly I'd as soon drink a cheap but good prosecco or cava as Dom P.
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Post by existentialcrisis on Dec 16, 2009 9:01:35 GMT
I'll take the sparkling wine, the deep red AND the fine bitter beer please!
Actually, this thread just reminded me that I haven't had sparkling wine in a while and I love it. Not sophisticated by any means on the subject. I prefer dry, but last New Years I drank a bottle of Yellow Tail's Bubbles (sparkling Chardonnay) and it was just the thing I needed! (I worked on New Years til 6am - then heated up some leftover Chinese food, drank a bottle of sparkly, and played online poker... a typical New Years for me).
I remember in University the popular brand was Andres Canadian Pink Champagne... lol ... this is trashy stuff, but I'll still drink it.
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Post by lagatta on Dec 16, 2009 13:23:33 GMT
I thought we respected the AOC rule that Champagne only means wines from that region.
Actually there are some very decent Canadian sparklers, from the Niagara Peninsula (a warm microclimate shielded by the Niagara Escarpment), but they aren't made by Andrés. Googling, I see this company is trying to rebrand as it has actually made better-quality wines under other labels and they Andrés brand has, as they say in corporate speak, "a few negatives attached to it".
Love the account of your New Year's!
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Post by imec on Dec 16, 2009 13:55:33 GMT
Also, don't forget Sparkling Vodka...  |
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Post by existentialcrisis on Dec 17, 2009 8:06:51 GMT
Yeah, I've never understood how they got away with calling it champange. I haven't had a really good NYE since 1999/2000...  Maybe because I was 17 lol sparking vodka, imec?! OMG! |
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Post by traveler63 on Dec 18, 2009 14:35:43 GMT
I love Champagne and sparkly wines. There is every good reason to drink them, and it doesn't have to be a special occasion. Mimosas are absolutely great, and then there are Belinis with Processco and fresh peach juice. Our large wine group which I told you about in culinary roots, always has at least one Champagne or sparkly which is brought by someone. Right now I have a Duval Leroy 1986 in my refrig and several others in the wine cellar!
We like both demi-sec and brut. Rose and white. I am not a fan of the ones that have a higher percent yeasty, prefer clean and sharp.
Imec I find your analysis of Cliquot Yellow interesting. I love it but I also like Moet and some years are just better than others. Generally, non-vintage is just fine. Have you ever tried Duval Leroy La Femme? For my taste, I would take a Grande Dame over a Dom any day. But hey, that is why there are so many choices and everyone's palette is just a little different.
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Post by imec on Dec 18, 2009 15:47:00 GMT
What I was trying to say is that, side, by side, the Grande Dame was not 3 or 4 times better than the yellow label whereas the price was - it had a very similar character (fresh, fruity, vibrant, delightful) just a little more intense - just not worth the premium. On the other hand, the Dom (in this vintage) was a VERY special, deep, multidimensional wine - entirely different character than the Dame and certainly not to everyone's taste.
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Maybe because I was 17 lol