Deliciously Priced Champagne for Your Event
Admit it. New Year’s Eve is almost here and you have no idea what wine to buy for an upcoming party. On the other hand, maybe you madly agreed to cook the big holiday meal and can’t decide on a wine that goes with everything.
Whatever. The point is, you waited until the last minute and don’t want to buy something on the fly that’s bound to be a mistake.
Relax. I’ve got you covered.
I’ve put together a list of five wines I highly recommend. So what did I choose? A big, bold red? An oaky Chardonnay?
Nope. I chose a wine whose quality and appeal have stood the test of time—champagne. If it was good enough for Madame du Barry, Napoléon, Czar Alexander II of Russia, and Winston Churchill, why shouldn’t the rest of us get to enjoy it?
You’re probably asking yourself, “Is this woman crazy? We are in the middle of the worst economy in recent history, and she is recommending champagne. Everyone knows champagne is expensive.”
Just trust me. Champagne is a terrific aperitif and it’s food-friendly too. We should take our cue from the French. They wisely enjoy champagne regularly, not just at weddings and boat christenings.
The holidays are supposed to be fun so why not drink something festive that brings a smile to everyone’s face when they hear that familiar pop? Champagne is a versatile wine that pairs easily with a wide range of cuisines. Granted, you can’t pair it with red meat, but, it’s fantastic with most cheeses (don’t try it with bleu cheese, please), it goes well with rich, creamy pasta dishes, and it’s a natural with poultry, fish, and seafood. Oh, and it’s to die for with fresh oysters and blinis with caviar.
Best of all, it is possible to find excellent champagnes at well below $50 dollars a bottle.
If you are at a loss for choices, I’ve put together a list that includes five of my favorite reasonably priced champagnes available in the DC market.
The Food & Wine Diva’s Top Five Champagnes $50 Dollars and Under
1. Louis de Sacy Grand Cru Verzy Brut NV Champagne, France: $33.99 750ml at Paul’s Wine and Spirits, DC.
This is one of my favorite champagnes. It comes from Verzy, one of the 17 Grands Crus villages, and is a blend of the three traditional champagne grapes, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay. The Pinot Noir gives the wine complexity and body, Pinot Meunier makes it fresh and lively, and Chardonnay gives the wine finesse. This champagne is dry, balanced on fruit, and medium-bodied, making it my favorite for cocktail parties with a wide range of cuisines. It’s tasty with Vietnamese fried, spring rolls, but pairs just as well with fettuccini Alfredo. I love every style of champagne this house produces, especially their rosé.
2. Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut NV, Champagne, France: $32.95 750ml at Pearson’s Wine & Spirits, DC.
If you prefer a lighter bodied, more ethereal style of champagne just for sipping, this is what I would choose. Its soft citrus, and warm pear and apple notes are accented with just a hint of wild floral scents. This is also a wonderful wine to serve with fruit tarts or delicately flavored lobster and Dover sole dishes.
3. Gosset “Excellence” Brut NV, Champagne, France: $39.99 750ml at Chevy Chase Wine & Spirits, DC.
Beautiful, yeasty, brioche notes and soft bubbles are what make this dry, crisp wine so easy to drink. This wine is known for its long finish and complex character. It’s delish with sushi, but is killer with seared scallops.
4. Bernard Brémont Grand Cru Brut NV, Champagne, France: $40.00 750ml at Total Wine & More, McLean, VA.
I have to admit I have a weakness for champagnes with a higher percentage of Pinot Noir in the blend. This wine comes from vineyards in two grands crus villages, Ambonnay and Bouzy. It has delicate citrus notes with a hint of lemongrass, but it’s the complex fruit notes that I love. It’s dry, medium-bodied character make it perfect for an hors d’oeuvres party with lots of different foods. Try it with sautéed mushrooms, it is smashing with more earthy, complex flavors.
5. Drappier Carte d’Or Brut NV, Champagne, France: $39.99 750ml at Schneider’s of Capitol Hill, DC.
Yet another champagne with a predominance of Pinot Noir. This wine is deceptive. It’s richer than many other in the same style, but has crisp grapefruit and tart apple notes that make it perfect for a rich dish, like Coquilles Saint-Jacques or Pike Quenelles with Cream Sauce. It’s fuller body give it some depth and complexity too.
Image Credit: Fabrice LESEIGNEUR–Collection CIVC.
Category: EAT N' DRINK, WINE LOVERS
