Wine thread

[HuskyHawk]

I got a very nice gift from one of my students: Roederer Estate Brut. I'm not a big time bubbles drinker, but I often enjoy my experience. Anyone tried this before?

The California one? I've had it many times. It's very good. Among the best sparkling wines the USA produces in my opinion. That's a nice gift for sure. A good one to enjoy over the holidays. Sparkling wine is just wine, too many people think it requires some unique occasion.

 

[dvegas]

The California one? I've had it many times. It's very good. Among the best sparkling wines the USA produces in my opinion. That's a nice gift for sure. A good one to enjoy over the holidays. Sparkling wine is just wine, too many people think it requires some unique occasion.

I went shopping for Champagne (the real French stuff) yesterday, its my tradition to give to a couple of clients as a holiday gift, and to bring to Xmas Eve dinner. Besides prices being up around 20%, a lot of the good stuff is in short supply, or out of stock. Except nasty Veuve Cliquot, a.k.a., the Nike of Champagne (as called by an oenophile friend). Glad I realized this now, instead of next week when demand will skyrocket through New Years.

 

[HuskyHawk]

I went shopping for Champagne (the real French stuff) yesterday, its my tradition to give to a couple of clients as a holiday gift, and to bring to Xmas Eve dinner. Besides prices being up around 20%, a lot of the good stuff is in short supply, or out of stock. Except nasty Veuve Cliquot, a.k.a., the Nike of Champagne (as called by an oenophile friend). Glad I realized this now, instead of next week when demand will skyrocket through New Years.

I am fortunate that there is a small shop in my town that doesn’t sell the high volume products in any category. No Budweiser. No Mondavi, Beringer or the big brand champagnes. No Jack Daniels. So she stocks a lot of small grower champagnes that are superb and had a recent sale.

 

[Hey Adrien!]

I am fortunate that there is a small shop in my town that doesn’t sell the high volume products in any category. No Budweiser. No Mondavi, Beringer or the big brand champagnes. No Jack Daniels. So she stocks a lot of small grower champagnes that are superb and had a recent sale.

That's awesome. I can concur. I'm lucky to live just a 1/2 mile from a local "macro" liquor store where the owner is super cool and directs me to his best deals, while still being quality. Also a great place to pick up stuff for parties. I'm also a ten-minute drive from a place that is similar to what you are describing.

 

[8893]

Except nasty Veuve Cliquot, a.k.a., the Nike of Champagne (as called by an oenophile friend).

I like their Rose Champagne quite a bit. Not nasty at all. Billecart-Salmon Rose Champagne has been my go-to for years but I am not seeing it at the places I usually buy it and have been debating what I will do instead for the holidays.

 

[dvegas]

I like their Rose Champagne quite a bit. Not nasty at all. Billecart-Salmon Rose Champagne has been my go-to for years but I am not seeing it at the places I usually buy it and have been debating what I will do instead for the holidays.

Never had the Rose, I'm a brut guy, the drier the better, but extra brut can be very pricey with the good stuff. Love the Gruet label, but need something more special for the holidays. Also found Cristalino (under $10 a bottle) is a great Cava for Mimosas and Sunday Specials, does anyone outside lower Fairfield County know what those demons are?

 

[dvegas]

That's awesome. I can concur. I'm lucky to live just a 1/2 mile from a local "macro" liquor store where the owner is super cool and directs me to his best deals, while still being quality. Also a great place to pick up stuff for parties. I'm also a ten-minute drive from a place that is similar to what you are describing.

Fountainhead? Ever hear the hilarious story about how those guys got in trouble with liquor control at the old location on Winfield Street? Connected to the reggae music that's usually playing in the store

 

[8893]

Never had the Rose, I'm a brut guy, the drier the better, but extra brut can be very pricey with the good stuff. Love the Gruet label, but need something more special for the holidays. Also found Cristalino (under $10 a bottle) is a great Cava for Mimosas and Sunday Specials, does anyone outside lower Fairfield County know what those demons are?

Both the Veuve Cliquot and Billecart-Salmon Roses are Brut. I love rose wine generally (mostly Rosatos from Italy) but always the dry ones. I drink it year-round. Great food wine imo. And with sparklers I also love how it looks in the glass, especially for festive occasions.

I have had the Cristalino Cava, but for some reason Prosecco sits better in my stomach than Cava does. I think it has something to do with the size of the bubbles; Prosecco seems to be a little gentler. For several years I bought cases of Flor Brut Rose Prosecco and always brought a bottle for the host when we were invited to holiday parties. Pretty bottle and easy gulper. It was always drained in a flash with everyone asking what it was and where they could get it. Now I can't find it anywhere!

 

[Waquoit]

I'd probably go with a Ripasso if I was looking for a Valpolicella.

That's just what we had at a nice place the other day. Very good, just what we we looking for. Admittedly, I used the Homer Simpson wine selection strategy.