In case you weren't paying attention, it is almost time to celebrate a new millennium. Although we have always toasted the New Year with champagne, somehow the choice of champagne has become much more important because this time around it will be t
In case you werenât paying attention, it is almost time to celebrate a new millennium. Although we have always toasted the New Year with champagne, somehow the choice of champagne has become much more important because this time around it will be the year 2000. Personally, I have always wanted to drink good champagne, whether it was December 31 or February 12. However, the wine âexpertsâ at Newsweek, Consumer Reports, and other leading publications have taken it on themselves to recommend the âbestâ champagne to usher in the new millennium. You can rest assured that there is not one best champagne. Depending on your needs and budget, there are many delicious choices.
There are dozens of champagnes available for under $15 a bottle. I have always enjoyed Domaine Ste Michelle Blanc de Blanc for its delicate and dry qualities. I also recently tasted Rotari Brut and found it to be an excellent value from Italy. Bouvet Brut from France is also crisp, dry and affordable. Of course the two best selling brands in this price range are Korbel and Freixenet. You will certainly find bottles of these brands at many millennium celebrations.
In the $15 to $30 price range the French Champagne houses enter the discussion. Many of the large Champagne houses have both French and California versions of their wines. My favorite California champagnes include Roederer Estate with its tasty combination of fruit and toast, and the more delicate Domaine Carneros from Taittinger. Independent California champagnes like Pacific Echo, Schramsberg, and Jordan âJâ are also excellent. French champagnes from the well-known houses are all tasty and reliable. Widely available French Champagnes include Moet and Chandon, Piper Heideseck, Perrier Jouet, Veuve Clicquot, and Mumm.
If price is no object, there is still a wide array of Champagne being produced. However, these champagnes are not widely available. Champagnes like Dom Perignon, Cristal, and the hand painted bottle of Perrier Jouet are not produced in huge quantities. Stores and restaurants will run out of these bottles. If you absolutely have to have a special bottle, do not wait a minute longer to try and find it. These special bottles are referred to a s âtetes de cuveeâ and they are running out.
As we approach the millennium, most of us hope to have a nice bottle of champagne to celebrate with. Given your taste and budget, there are many delicious choices available. Now if I only knew what to do about that Y2K thing!