Advice on champagne

[UpInTheAir:)]

I'm late responding but agree with the other posts here about a vintage Arras or Chandon. When we were in NZ we had some gorgeous blanc de blancs. Our favourite was No 1 Family Estate, the No 1 Cuvee. It is hard to find in Australia though.

The champagne masterclass at last year's Qantas wine show included the 2004 Arras.

Wow AirKat.. That looks like some fun tasting What's your excuse for not attending the MEL Champagne Appreciation night on Wednesday?????

 

[AirKat]

I have to confess I didn't know it was on either Next time I'd love to attend. I'll be in Sydney this week - usual problem with AFFers

 

[AirKat]

Although theoretically the same wine, it is likely the FIFA bottles are from an earlier disgorgement.

There is a lot of conjecture about ageing NV Champagnes, however some critics claim a year or two extra after disgorgement can improve things. Of course this could also be explained by the small variations between batches. Perhaps I should conduct some more research...

glug glug glug.

One thing we've noticed is the corks are labelled differently. The regular NV have the usual AB letters on top, while the world cup has a swirly pattern. Agree - more research definitely required

 

[blackcat20]

One thing we've noticed is the corks are labelled differently. The regular NV have the usual AB letters on top, while the world cup has a swirly pattern. Agree - more research definitely required

They taste good so I'm happy.

 

[AirKat]

They taste good so I'm happy.

They taste great. I bought 3 cases last time and another 2 today. The problem I have is that Mr AirKat has decided they are his new favourite NV, and that they taste better than regular taitt NV.

 

[burmans]

This is fabulous. Mr AirKat has decided the world cup Taitt is better than regular NV (don't get me started). Hoping for world cup bottles!

If you look at the "normal" prices on the Dans website you'll see that they actually charge more for the World Cup version so maybe they agree with him!

 

[medhead]

For those in SYD this week, a Sydney trivia night has been agreed for Wednesday night in the rocks. Link

http://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/showthread.php?t=61783

To answer in advance, I'm not attending the bubbly appreciation night because I knew there'd be trivia in Sydney.

I'm hosting a Champagne blind tasting party in a couple of weeks time and I'm planning to be cheeky by sneaking in a blanc de blanc from oz or nz. What do you guys think?

Also late to the party but I enjoyed this last October. So much I purchased a bottle. Blanc de noir, however.
View attachment 42206

 

[blackcat20]

The secret champagne is indeed World Cup Taittinger again.

 

[JessicaTam]

The secret champagne is indeed World Cup Taittinger again.

We need a multi-like button!

 

[KitKat]

are the taittinger bottles themselves marked with any world cup logos etc?

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

are the taittinger bottles themselves marked with any world cup logos etc?

Completely different label, has a hologram like thing on it.

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

Epicure have the Taittinger Comtes Blanc de Blanc 2000 for $250 on sale. This is a good drop, although I do slightly prefer the 2002, YMMV.

 

[vitagen]

I had the 1998 comtes last week and wow its awesome

 

[blackcat20]

are the taittinger bottles themselves marked with any world cup logos etc?

Yes, quite a bit nicer in my mind.

 

[burmans]

Yes, quite a bit nicer in my mind.

View attachment 42627

Do you mean the presentation is nicer or the contents! Because I have heard some quite varying opinions on the latter.

 

[blackcat20]

Do you mean the presentation is nicer or the contents! Because I have heard some quite varying opinions on the latter.

The presentation. Though the contents were just as good as the standard label (some people think its tastes better).

 

[burmans]

The presentation. Though the contents were just as good as the standard label (some people think its tastes better).

I'm in this group though some also think it taste worse.

 

[blackcat20]

I'm in this group though some also think it taste worse.

I really fail to see how a label changes the taste of the contents. Would be interesting to see the result of a blind tasting...

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

I really fail to see how a label changes the taste of the contents. Would be interesting to see the result of a blind tasting...

It's the same wine.

The only blind tasting needed is to drink so much that you lose you vision. Ok perhaps that's a touch too far. Just before that you might stop

 

[Daver6]

I really fail to see how a label changes the taste of the contents. Would be interesting to see the result of a blind tasting...

Possibly conditions in transit to Australia. Perhaps one lot went via a third country and sat on the docks for a week or something.