Champagne Wishes..Caviar Dreams…Wine Selections for New Years 2012

Yes that was a moniker for “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous” and this article will focus on Sparkling wines and Champagne and less so on caviar–though I do enjoy it and think it nicely paired with Champagne.

But you don’t need to be ‘rich or famous’ to enjoy very well made sparkling wines. In many and most instances it is understandable if sparkling wines are more expensive on average as when compared to still wines. I understand….the process certainly adds to the overall cost. And Champagne stands alone in terms of high demand, the Euro (at least those using the US dollar) and a very finite growing region. There are other sparkling wine on a per litre basis are less expensive (but not always) Cava, sparkling wine, and Prosecco. I enjoy my New Year’s eve with wonderful hand foods and many Champagnes and sparkling wines.

Here are my Champagne and sparkling wishes to ring in the New Year:

Delamotte Blanc de Blancs – 1999
Gramona Cava Brut Imperial Gran Reserva 2006
Ruinart Brut Rosé – NV
Törley Grand Cuvee – NV
Ruggeri Prosecco di Valdobbiandene Guistini Bisol 2008
Sergio Mottura Brut 2005
Piper-Heidsieck Rare 2002
Canard-Duchene Grande Cuvée Charles VII NV
Bollinger Grande Annee Brut 1999
Chartogne-Taillet Brut 2002
Jacquesson Millesime Brut 2002
Chartogne-Taillet Blanc de Blanc Brut Champagne NV
Recaredo Brut Nature Cava 2006
Gosset Celebris 1998
J Brut Late-Disgorged 2001
Mumm Napa DVX Rosé 2006
Iron Horse Winter’s Cuvée 2007
Schramsberg J Schram Rosé 2004
De Cazanove Stradivarius 1998
Charles Ellner Brut NV
Lanson Noble Cuvée Blanc de Blancs 1998
Bruno Paillard Rosé Brut Première Cuvée NV
Ayala Brut Millesime 1999
Jean Lallemont Brut NV
Vranken Diamont Brut
Vilmart Coeur de Cuvée 2002
Deutz Deutz Cuvée William Brut 1998
Bollinger R.D. 1997
Aneri Prosecco
Roederer Estate L’Ermitage 2002

¡Salud!

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Time to Celebrate – Inaugural Wines – James Meléndez / James the Wine Guy

I know a few people who plan to open a bottle of bubbly to celebrate Barack Obama’s Presidential inauguration during the broadcast—for the West Coast that begins at 8:00 am and the East Coast that is 11:00 am.  What ever your plans for the inauguration it is a time celebrate.  Bubbly is a great wine to usher in milestones and in particular this historical moment.  And milestones marked by bubbly is coveted and recalled.   To reflect Obama’s pledges for a new era in international relations are wines not just American wines but Champagnes as well; French is an international language and is used in almost all international documents and treaties.  And interestingly is how much of American sparkling wines have a relationship with a Champagne house

Sparkling Wine & Champagne

•    Roederer Estate L’Ermitage 2002 – 52% Chardonnay and 48% Pinot Noir – a wine that comes from Anderson Valley – a superbly cool and apt appellation for sparkling.  This is a coveted wine that will be remembered.
•    Domaine Carneros La Reve – 100% Chardonnay
•    Domaine Chandon Etoile Brut – 53% Chadonnay, 45% Pinot Noir, and 2% Pinot Meunier
•    Canard Duchene Brut N.V.
•    Ayala Brut Majeur N.V.
•    Bollinger Grande Année 1999
•    Bruno Paillard Brut Premiere Cuvee
•    Charles Heidseick Brut Reserve

These inaugural wines are all memorable.  I have highlighted the higher end American sparklers because they are special and well made bottles of wine.  Few people enjoy these wines and this occasion lends itself for opening something spectacular.

The Champagne with the exception of the Bollinger are non-vintage widely available in larger to middle sized metropolitan cities.  The prices are reasonable and quality is superb; theses wines from the other red, white and blue that are outstanding and will remembered.  You may have a tried and true bottle of bubbly—why not make a change in a year of change and in this auspicious milestone of change.

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A plethora of wine reviews from wines regions around the world. Read more of my wine reviews: jamesthewineguy.wordpress.com © 2009 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez – All Rights Reserved.  James the Wine Guy also on Facebook, Twitter and most major social medias.

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