Some Champange help

[jdscolam]

Well I'm horribly new to this, so here goes:

I'm about to be reunited with the lady of my life, and I wanted to make the reunion a special moment with some champange, however there's a few problems. First of all I'm on a budget, around $30-$35. The champange will probably have to sit for a day or two or three, and I don't have anywhere to store it other than a fridge or a closet in my apartment which'll run around 72 degrees during the night, but I turn my A/C off during the day while I'm at work. So is storing it in the fridge ok? Next, I have no idea what to get, so I can promise I'll take your advice [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/smile.gif[/img]. The last thing is that I'm not sure how to serve it. I can guarantee we will finish the bottle off once opened, but it may sit out for a bit, so again I'm lost.

Thank you so much for your help!

[stevebody]

JD,

Between $30 and $35, you can get most good Non-vintage champagnes on the market, except for Veuve Cliquot, Dom Perignon, etc.

Good ones to look for:

Laurent-Perrier Brut LP
Moet White Star
Nicholas Feuilatte Brut
Pol Roget Brut NV
Piper Red Bottle
Piper Heidseck Monopole Blue Label
Charles Ellner Brut
Perrier-Jouet Brut
Jacquesson Brut

If it says "Champagne" on the label and comes from France, it's probably going to be at least drinkable. Champagne is just a Very Good Thing, period. Good Luck!

[Bucko]

Champagne needs to be well chilled when served, not room temp. Keeping it in the fridge won't hurt it. There are a host of Champagnes and Sparkling wines out there for $35 or less. A few:

Piper-Heidsieck Brut Champagne NV

J. Lassalle Brut Champagne Préférence NV

Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Blancs Carneros NV

Domaine Chandon étoile Rosé Napa-Sonoma Counties NV

Lanson Brut Champagne Black Label NV

[hotwine]

Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin NV can sometimes be found in this area for as little as $31; but I would pass it by in favor of Taittinger NV, usually available for $28-$32.

[Thomas]

All good suggestions.

[jdscolam]

Thank you all so much for your suggestions. I think I'm going to go for the Taittinger NV, is it a bit on the sweet side?

Jon

[hotwine]

No Taittinger isn't sweet, it's dry, but nicely crisp. Clicquot on the other hand has become very noticeably (and sickly)sweet since being taken over by the French conglomerate LVMH about three years ago. It's 'way over-rated. Look for Taittinger. Another time, we can lead you toward others.

[Thomas]

I agree with Hotwine. Cliquot has slid down hill ever since it became a conglomerate clog. Sweet is only one of its problems--boring is the other. Of course, this is my opinion...

[This message has been edited by foodie (edited 06-16-2003).]

[Brom]

I would strongly disagree that Veuve Cliquot is either sweet or boring.

I cannot say how they have "gone downhill" since becoming a part of LVMH. I was not in a position to drink much VC 17 years ago. I can't really imagine how much better they must have been then.