Sufficient Champagne

Friday, July 20, 2012


"Three be the things I shall never attain: envy, content, and sufficient Champagne"
Dorothy Parker


Since I frequently share cocktail recipes that include sparklers, and the stuff is pretty divine to drink all on its own, I thought I'd share some of my favorite bottles of bubbly. From Cava to Californian, it's not always about Champagne!


German Gilabert is my house sparkler of choice; this Cava is always delicious, and the branding can't be beat. It can be a little tough to find from time to time, so Avinyó and Segura Viudas are strong second choices, especially for low-key celebrations.

Like my favorite Cava, grower produced Champange can be more difficult to find, but worth the work, in my opinion (look for the RM, which stands for Récoltant-Manipulant on the label). Big Champagne houses produce the same (stellar) product year after year, but grower Champagne is endlessly variable, since the finished product will depend on the terroir and vintage. Another bonus? They're usually less expensive, since they don't have the marketing budgets of the big boys. 

That said, sometimes you just want to be able to dash into the liquor store and grab a bottle of something sparkling to celebrate. For a long time, John was devoted to Moët & Chandon, I to Perrier-Jouët, but at a recent Champange tasting, I was taken with a bottle of Nicolas Feuillatte Blue Label Brut, which I thought truly did taste like the stars!

They might revoke my California driver's license if I didn't mention our state's sparklers, and there's plenty of talk about. Schramsberg's non-vintage second label, Mirabelle, was a desperate pre-party grab from the cold case, and is one of my favorites these days, along with Scharffenberger Brut and Domaine Carneros Brut and Brut Rosé.


Tell me, what are you favorite sparklers? Do you drink them to celebrate, or do you pull out the Champagne along with the good china for Chinese food? 


Image by Flory Photo.

16 comments:

  1. Champagne with Chinese food all the way! For inexpensive bubbles - Frexinet and for fancy occasions, Gloria Fererra or Veuve!

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  2. i loveeee real champagne. i've got to check out your latest find! the stars!!!

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  3. Mmm, I do love the bubbly. I'm a Moet & Chandon kind of girl. But to be honest, I prefer a prosecco.

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  4. Bubbly is my drink of choice & it works for any occasion, big or small, in my life. My absolute favorite is Wilson Creek Almond Champagne- cheers!

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  5. Oh this is SO useful! We have yet to choose the perfect sparkler for our wedding... I could definitely use you help. :)

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  6. yummy!!!! gonna have to try that Nicolas Feuillatte Blue Label Brut, and soon. hugs!!

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  7. I was just thinking champagne sounds like an excellent plan this weekend!

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  8. I usually only drink champagne if I'm celebrating something like a wedding or a new baby or a Friday.

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  9. I love it for any occasion... It just makes you feel so festive and happy... Haha!

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  10. This looks absolutely lovely and divine. :)

    Cathy Trails

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  11. I love bubbly! Thanks for sharing- I never know which one to pick!

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  12. I'm with your John , I prefer
    Moet & Chandon...I may not be an expert when it comes to champagne...but I do know a bad one when I taste it. XO

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  13. Can't wait to try!!! Have a fabulous weekend lovely Lena!!

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  14. My fave is Tattinger!
    Beautiful!

    oxoxoxo from San Francisco
    Amy
    http://bridechic.blogspot.com

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  15. I am in love with this article :) I love your choices and cava really is a great alternative at a lower price. I recently tried Laurent Perrier and loved it for a nice dinner although a glass of prosecco on a lower key night is always fun.

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  16. I can not get enough champagne! Sometimes at the end of the day be it good or bad you just need to soak in the tub with a glass of bubbly!

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