Advice on champagne

[medhead]

I clarified the post. My 'no' was supposed to read 'not'. I blame the ipad

Mow-wee = wrong
Mow-ett = correct

The problem is you're dealing with a sort of reverse form of elitism. Your average joe straight out of the paddock with say it as they read it, mow-ett. The elite avoid that cringe and display their superiority by saying mow-wee. In my family we enjoy the idea of being seen as bush pigs, while using correct pronunciation.

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

And while on the subject of spelling, let's try Veuve Clicquot.

Yes, I'll cop that criticism - you can tell I don't like it

Must admit I thought the origin of the word Moet was German, but happy to stand corrected.

Definitely Dutch as suggested.

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

The problem is you're dealing with a sort of reverse form of elitism. Your average joe straight out of the paddock with say it as they read it, mow-ett. The elite avoid that cringe and display their superiority by saying mow-wee. In my family we enjoy the idea of being seen as bush pigs, while using correct pronunciation.

I'm not sure I agree. People seem to think they are sophisticated by calling it Mow-wee, which is very common pronunciation in Aus, but there is nothing sophisticated about getting it all wrong.

 

[oz_mark]

Im sure freddy mercury would have pronounced it correctly

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

What I want to know (again, I have no knowledge of these things) is what would be a good selection (a dozen or so) of champagnes to make available to her. I want names of those that I have a reasonable chance of finding internationally. Not looking for the best and most expensive. Just want to familiarize myself with some that a good, decent, drops. Maybe in the $50 to $100 a bottle range. Is this request impossible?

I live in that eternal struggle that married men do of trying to keep my wife happy and making Life fun. It would impress her if I could help with this newly developed love.

Any advice??

Ok, you are in non-vintage (NV) territory here, so I would suggest: (in no particular order)
1. Taittinger Brut Réserve
2. Pol Roger Brut
3. Veuve Clicquot Brut Yellow Label
4. Bollinger Special Cuvée
5. Billecart-Salmon Brut Réserve
6. Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut

All in the $50-70 mark.

For a cheaper selection, the following 'table champagnes' as I call them can be had for sub-$50
1. Piper-Heidsieck Brut
2. Champagne Duperrey Premier Cru Brut
3. Lanson Black Label
4. Mumm Cordon Rouge Brut
5. Pommery Brut Royale
6. Moët & Chandon Brut Impérial

Don't tell your wife the price, you may find she prefers a cheaper one which will save you big $$$ over time

Try those and please return with your tasting notes

 

[drewbles]

If you are talking vintage, even the same champagne will be different from year to year. You can have an average 98, then a stellar 2000 and 2002 (Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blanc comes to mind) so this makes it quite difficult to choose, although generally you will find the poorer vintages to be cheaper. They won't bring one out at all if the weather is really poor.

The problem, as with all wine, the chemistry in your mouth and on your palate is going to be entirely different to others. As a gross generalization, Women tend to prefer a sweeter wine like a Demi-Sec, Extra-Brut, or Rose, whereas men tend to prefer a less sweet Brut or Blanc de Blanc style. Saying that, I know many women who love Brut or Blanc de Blanc.

My biggest bug-bear in this country, although I dislike the NV, Moët is pronounced "Mow-ett" NOT "mow-wee".

If NV, my favorites are with others, the Billecart-Salmon is a great wine, Taittinger (note the extra 'i') is also exceptional and my top choice. People (ladies) go nuts over Verve Cliquot but I find it too sweet. Moët NV is rubbish IMO.

Unfortunately the price of champagne in this country prohibit everyday consumption for most, so I make a point of spending some time in France every year to make up for that

My tip : learn about what champagne really is, where its from, and what's in it. Champagne in French refers to the chalky soil in which the vines are grown, and is specific to that appellation in France. Anything outside that are is not Champagne, though you may think it tastes just as good. I'm a purist. I don't touch Australian sparkling as I find it entirely underwhelming. A Champagne as we know it (Brut) is always Pinot noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier. A Blanc de Blanc (white wine from white grapes) is 100% Chardonnay.

All this talk makes me want to return to Epernay/Reims An excellent trip - even if just a quick day trip from Paris.

Drink many and drink often (within moderation), and you will find your taste quickly. It doesn't have to be expensive. When you are out, don't be afraid to try something by the glass if you don't want to commit to a full bottle. Then when you find one, like most things, it's cheaper by the dozen!

Don't think I could have said it any better myself.

Other bugbear: people who call it "French Champagne". If it's Champagne, it's French (with the exception of some US sparklings which seem to get away with calling themselves Champagnes).

If you ever need someone to sit and 'palate test' any kind of French Bubbles, please feel free to send me an invite

 

[drewbles]

If the budget is blown you can do "champagne coughtails" by using Grand Marnier , a sugar cube and a reasonably inexpensive Aussie sparkling wine. After a couple of those your crowd will be "happy" and the attack on your pocket is diminished.

The problem I find now, that if you go for something like a Chandon Vintage, you're headed into the $40 range. For that price, you can get a good proper Champagne 'Quaffer' from most Dan's stores now (Lanson Gold label or similar).

The Chandon NV is so-so depending on the year, but that's still $30ish now.

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

The problem I find now, that if you go for something like a Chandon Vintage, you're headed into the $40 range. For that price, you can get a good proper Champagne 'Quaffer' from most Dan's stores now (Lanson Gold label or similar).

The Chandon NV is so-so depending on the year, but that's still $30ish now.

You are better off with a cheap, lesser known Champagne for those $$.

I'd prefer to drink something else instead.

Life is too short for bad wine

 

[vitagen]

Chandon NV was 19 bucks on epiqure. I mostly drink champagne . However I'm open to most bubbly just to get the taste buds some experience. I never regret paying 50-60 on a bottle of actual champagne.

The ones listed abov e pretty much sums it up. If you feel like buying Mumm NV please donate the money to charity instead. That stuff nasty.

From the range above I would rank in the following:

Bollinger NV
Billiecart Salmon NV /Ruinart NV (Equal second)
Taittinger NV / Pol Roger NV (Equal third)
Veuve Cliq NV

If your budget can stretch bit more go for the vintage versions 2002 if there are stock available.

 

[blackcat20]

The Chandon NV is so-so depending on the year, but that's still $30ish now.

I find its usually between $18 and $24. Even at the cellar door its only $22 a bottle (was there on the weekend).

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

I find its usually between $18 and $24. Even at the cellar door its only $22 a bottle (was there on the weekend).

And not worth a penny more...

 

[Pushka]

I think the Champagne/French Champagne issue is fair enough given that many of us grew up in the period before the Champagne Houses of France asserted their IP.

I think the try hards would probably say Moet as in the French way. And look down on those who say Mow-ett.

 

[simongr]

I have always pronounced it as Mow-ee - I thought it was French (being a champagne and all) and followed a French pronunciation. I guess looking back the umlaut should have been the giveaway.

I do often pick up on the "if it is champagne it is inherently French" thing but given in Australia we have the Peterson champagne house and some Americans call their sparkling "champagne" it isn't strictly true that all champagne is French.

 

[Pushka]

But Simon, the word Champagne can only be used for those sparklers that are produced in the Reims area of France. There is a strictly defined map (and which of course is proudly displayed and discussed in the Moët cellar tour) and it is illegal (in the IP world) to call anything that isn't produced there, Champagne.

 

[simongr]

I understand that but it doesn't explain Petersons Champagne house and US wines that somehow get away with calling themselves champagne.

Korbel Champagne Cellars - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[medhead]

I'm not sure I agree. People seem to think they are sophisticated by calling it Mow-wee,

That's precisely my point. People who think they're sophisticated say it the wrong way, partially to avoid being seen as hicks. It's ironic that those hicks will usually say it the correct way. Think dazza and shazza, from out the back of Burke, who say it they way they see it. Mow-ett. Not kath and Kim.

Reverse elitism. Where the elite are wrong and hence not elite. But the imagined non-elite are right and hence are elite. As I said I enjoy the joke on those people.

 

[Pushka]

Reverse elitism. Where the elite are wrong and hence not elite. But the imagined non-elite are right and hence are elite. As I said I enjoy the joke on those people.

My head hurts and it's not from drinking Champagne.

 

[Pushka]

I understand that but it doesn't explain Petersons Champagne house and US wines that somehow get away with calling themselves champagne.

Korbel Champagne Cellars - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Well they can't. But the Champagne "keepers" haven't sued them yet.

 

[simongr]

That's precisely my point. People who think they're sophisticated say it the wrong way, partially to avoid being seen as hicks. It's ironic that those hicks will usually say it the correct way. Think dazza and shazza, from out the back of Burke, who say it they way they see it. Mow-ett. Not kath and Kim.

Reverse elitism. Where the elite are wrong and hence not elite. But the imagined non-elite are right and hence are elite. As I said I enjoy the joke on those people.

I sometimes think people read too much into perceived elitism. People often do things because that is the way that they think it should be said. For example having lived in Germany I say "Tag Hoi-er" (roughly) rather than "Tag How-er" as a lot of people say Tag Heuer. This isn't elitism it is just the way that I understand something should be said. I think then having a laugh at someone who thinks they are doing the right thing (for whatever reason) reflects more poorly on you.

 

[oz_mark]

Well they can't. But the Champagne "keepers" haven't sued them yet.

I think you'll find that there are some provision to allow some producers in the US to use the term. It is around those that were using the term prior to the US agreeing to restrict its usage.