Champagne...

[tinkerbell23]

Tried a few cheapy ones and the obvious moet....i really fancy trying some nice ones..... Within reason price wise ha! A few hundred quid isnt an option! Mabye upto £100.... same with wine- any sugesstions? I drink rose or white wine, and champagne suggestions please? Do you think its worth spending the extra pennies?

Tink xx

[Buenchico]

I didn't use to like Champagne until I attended my cousin's wedding reception. She was marrying a wealthy stockbroker and the champagne was definitely the 'good stuff'. I suddenly decided that I liked it very much!

The cheaper Champagnes aren't as good as many (much cheaper) Spanish Cavas.
(A really good Cava can easily outclass many Champagnes).

Have you tried Lanson Black Label? It's around £29 per bottle in most supermarkets (but occasionally on special offer) and I'd rate it as the best of the medium-priced champagnes.

Chris

[Buenchico]

For a good (but not too expensive) white wine, try to find an old-fashioned vintner's shop, where the proprietor really knows his stuff, and look for a German white with 'QmP' (Qualitatswein mit Pradikat) on the label. Let the vintner guide you regarding the sweetness or dryness of the wine (or read the shelf label!).

German wines are generally derided as rubbish. The majority of them are. However the very best of German whites are packed with flavour and among the best wines in the world. The problem is that they're not produced in sufficient quantities for the big supermarkets to buy them. Only a very small percentage of the 'good stuff' is exported. (The Germans are no fools. They keep as much as they can for themselves!). So you're unlikely to find the best German whites in Tesco or Asda. (Occasionally Waitrose might stock a decent German white). Expect to pay around £7 to £12 per bottle.

[tinkerbell23]

Aww great reply buenchico thank u.....i really should go wine tasting! Xx

[NoMercy]

If you're going to splash out on Champers, don't be fooled into thinking that brands like Moet and Lanson are good.

For those with a more discerning palate, you cannot beat Veuve Clicquot, Perrier Jouet and Laurent Perrier (all retailing between £38.99 and £34.99). Monopole rosé is like strawberries and cream in a glass and is often available for as little as £19.99.
If you really want to splash out, try Perrier Jouet La Belle Epoque (about £65 from all good wine stockists), Veuve Clicquot Le Grande Dame (£55 upwards) or splash out around £95 for a bottle of Krug.

If you want a nice wine, you cannot beat a good Sancerre. There's a new breed of blush Sancerre - I think Tesco are doing one for under £14. A fine Montrachet would set you back anything between £25 and £65, depending on the quality.

Hope that helps.

[scotman]

I recently had some Pol Roger Reserve. It was a little too sweet for my taste but still very good. £35 in a box as well.

[NoMercy]

Pol Roger was Winston Churchill's favourite champers. I was terribly sick on that one night... unless it was the chinese that did me...

[DTCwordfan]

As an experienced wine drinker and one who likes his Bolly and premium vintage champagnes, I would seriously suggest to have a look at Cloudy Bay's (NZ) methode champagnoise...its about 25/26 a bottle - and is a super offering.

[NoMercy]

Cloudy Bay do excellent Sauvs but I've just to see NZ produce a decent bottle of bubbles. I will give it a try though, if I come across it.

[NoMercy]

Dirty barstud.

[DTCwordfan]

I was very pleasantly surprised when I tried it. I too like my Sauv Blancs and esp ones such as Vicars Choice. Have drunk Daniel Brun's methode champagnoise when down in Marlborough which isn't bad, but the CB is excellent......and especially from a vignobler that had stayed still somewhat with its chard/sblancs when they were taken over by LMVH.

[NoMercy]

Have you tried any of the new fangled blush Sauvs from Marlborough?

I tried one in Bar Epernay (B'ham) but I must say I prefer the white.

[DTCwordfan]

No I havent - am down here in Cornwall and even though we have an excellent wine shop in Truro (Experience Wines), that has to make its way down here.....shall ask though if any good???

[woofgang]

scoff and hoot if you will but Lidl have a very drinkable champers which is normally 14 quid a bottle and is currently under 10 its called compte de brissard. I also like Tesco demi sec for something off dry. Its about £17
I really dislike Lanson and haven't yet found a cava that I will finish a glass of :-(

Monopole rose is yummy, so is Veuve Clicquot IMO

[DTCwordfan]

if you are going up the scale Charles Heidsieck vintage (not the Piper-H)

[tinkerbell23]

mmmmm thank u guys.... im excited haha i really fancy the sound of Monopole rosé the second i hear raspberry/ strawberry im sold!! mmm! ill ook up all the ones you have suggested cos i am not in the know but wanted a few names which you hav provided!! thank you!! mmm happy drinking for me ;0) x

[scotman]

Try them all then report back with marks out of 10 and with tasting notes.

[bushbaby_de]

I agree with everything NoM said - my kind of wine list :)