Advice on champagne

[ComeFlyWithMe]

And even worse, I must have bought too many of the LP piccolos from winestar, as they've put the price up to $24.99 each! Back to the Moet piccolos from Dan's I suppose, unless anyone has a better tip for piccolos under $20 (without resorting to Lanson)?

This seems like an extremely expensive way to enjoy your favourite tipple. This is especially so since a good champagne stopper can retain freshness for a couple of days.

I think the best solution is to find a friend and buy full bottles

 

[Lizzi]

This seems like an extremely expensive way to enjoy your favourite tipple. This is especially so since a good champagne stopper can retain freshness for a couple of days.

I think the best solution is to find a friend and buy full bottles

While that is a very sociable solution that I would love to implement, the reality is that I can't party too much on weeknights anymore if I want to be bright and fresh for work the next morning, so the piccolos work well for those times I might've mentioned before that I tend to have a couple of glasses on only one or two nights over the week (unless it's a sociable evening like last night when we did manage to get through quite a few!) so a bottle won't stay fresh for long enough to make it worthwhile. Maybe I should be focusing my attention on finding a better stopper instead? I can foresee a lot of "test" drinking in my future if this is the great leap forward!

 

[JohnM]

Maybe I should be focusing my attention on finding a better stopper instead? I can foresee a lot of "test" drinking in my future if this is the great leap forward!

There are some good stoppers available. One I like is this: metrokane - Rabbit Wine/Champagne Sealer

A big advantage is that it fits all sized bottle necks, the plug expanding as you screw the top, whereas the clip on type only fits the larger standard neck. Also, the clip on type seem to lose their ability to stay clipped on judging from the many I've seen in airline lounges that fiercely resist gripping.

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

While that is a very sociable solution that I would love to implement, the reality is that I can't party too much on weeknights anymore if I want to be bright and fresh for work the next morning, so the piccolos work well for those times I might've mentioned before that I tend to have a couple of glasses on only one or two nights over the week (unless it's a sociable evening like last night when we did manage to get through quite a few!) so a bottle won't stay fresh for long enough to make it worthwhile. Maybe I should be focusing my attention on finding a better stopper instead? I can foresee a lot of "test" drinking in my future if this is the great leap forward!

I have a great Taittinger stopper which seems to work up to about 4-5 days. Beyond that, you lose the zing that we are all so fond of. An experiment worthy of some attention

A half bottle would be perfect, if it was half the price. Alas, that is a fantasy sadly.

 

[Lizzi]

I have a great Taittinger stopper which seems to work up to about 4-5 days. Beyond that, you lose the zing that we are all so fond of. An experiment worthy of some attention

A half bottle would be perfect, if it was half the price. Alas, that is a fantasy sadly.

Well I'm planning another brief stop in Champagne later in the year, so I'll keep my eyes peeled for one at Taittinger
In the meantime, I'll see if I can source one of the ones JohnM mentioned.


There are a couple of half bottles which are only slightly more than half the price - the Billecart NV Rose is $59 from winestar and the full bottle is around $110, and I think they had one or two others which compared similarly. Moet Hennessey has the Ruinart Blanc de Blanc half for the $55 when the full is $100... but they are a rarity and if you're already spending $50 on a tipple, you may as well go for the whole bottle really!

 

[JohnM]

This one looks intriguing: Pump It Up Champagne Bottle Stopper with Dial Date | bubbles sparkling wine | Yellow Octopus

It's the reverse of the vacuum pump for still wines. It pumps air into the bottle to keep the pressure up. It might be gimmicky but, then again, it may work.

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

This one looks intriguing: Pump It Up Champagne Bottle Stopper with Dial Date | bubbles sparkling wine | Yellow Octopus

It's the reverse of the vacuum pump for still wines. It pumps air into the bottle to keep the pressure up. It might be gimmicky but, then again, it may work.

Concept seems sound but looks very plasticky and junky. A good stopper should be all metal construction with a rubber seal...

 

[cove]

In Sydney we used glad wrap and the bubbly was still good the next evening. I had never thought that would work but it actually did on the Moët.

 

[JohnM]

Concept seems sound but looks very plasticky and junky. A good stopper should be all metal construction with a rubber seal...

Agree - mainly raised it as a concept that I hadn't seen before. It may be a knock-off of a better quality version. I didn't search hard.

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

In Sydney we used glad wrap and the bubbly was still good the next evening. I had never thought that would work but it actually did on the Moët.

Works ok but more than an overnight it starts to lose oomph.

 

[prozac]

In Sydney we used glad wrap and the bubbly was still good the next evening. I had never thought that would work but it actually did on the Moët.

Glad the bubbly stayed fizzy. Using glad-wrap is just as risky as a chokito wrapper imo, much safer just shelling out for a good condom.

 

[UpInTheAir:)]

Ok ok.. I'm prepared to conduct an experiment on the best way to maintain the taste and mousse of champagne by testing a range of variables such as time and closure type on a variety of champagnes... Now who is going to fund this very important research???

 

[cove]

With the latest Groupon 7.5% BigW discount delivered electronically together with a Pricepal rebate one can get a chunk off Dan's specials for champers right now. UITA I think JohnM should have a stash of champagne in Perth. I think we are dropping down to a dangerously low level of 2 dozen so that would be a problem if we needed to do some serious testing.
Late last year my champagne drinking partner passed away so my personal consumption has dropped significantly. I have not been certain how to recruit a new champagne drinking partner in Perth.

 

[JohnM]

I have not been certain how to recruit a new champagne drinking partner in Perth.

Hmmm - thinking, thinking .

 

[Lizzi]

Late last year my champagne drinking partner passed away so my personal consumption has dropped significantly. I have not been certain how to recruit a new champagne drinking partner in Perth.

Well there are a few of us here - but I don't know if my innards will cope with me drinking more bubbly than I already do!

 

[UpInTheAir:)]

With the latest Groupon 7.5% BigW discount delivered electronically together with a Pricepal rebate one can get a chunk off Dan's specials for champers right now. UITA I think JohnM should have a stash of champagne in Perth. I think we are dropping down to a dangerously low level of 2 dozen so that would be a problem if we needed to do some serious testing.
Late last year my champagne drinking partner passed away so my personal consumption has dropped significantly. I have not been certain how to recruit a new champagne drinking partner in Perth.

I'll be sure to let you know next time I am over

 

[medhead]

With the latest Groupon 7.5% BigW discount delivered electronically together with a Pricepal rebate one can get a chunk off Dan's specials for champers right now. UITA I think JohnM should have a stash of champagne in Perth. I think we are dropping down to a dangerously low level of 2 dozen so that would be a problem if we needed to do some serious testing.
Late last year my champagne drinking partner passed away so my personal consumption has dropped significantly. I have not been certain how to recruit a new champagne drinking partner in Perth.

I'd be happy to help drink your bubbly in Sydney.

I was also feeling figuratively naked with only a dozen champers at home. Fixed that, including some of Keith009's recommendations.

 

[diningdecadence]

https://www.danmurphys.com.au/produ...m_campaign=campaign=20150421_TuesSparklingEDM

anyone forking out $200/bottle for the above? edit - didn't realise the link didn't show the champagne - it's taittinger comte 2004

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

https://www.danmurphys.com.au/produ...m_campaign=campaign=20150421_TuesSparklingEDM

anyone forking out $200/bottle for the above? edit - didn't realise the link didn't show the champagne - it's taittinger comte 2004

While there are 3 bottles in the picture, there is no description of what the bundle actually is. It's probably safe to presume though.

 

[pagingjoan]

While there are 3 bottles in the picture, there is no description of what the bundle actually is. It's probably safe to presume though.

Here you go:

[h=3]3 x Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs 2004[/h]Taittinger Comtes de Champagne is the finest expression of the world famous wine from one of the greatest Champagne Houses. First produced in 1952, Comtes is made from 100% Chardonnay grapes from 6 Grand Cru sites in the Cýte de Blancs. Showing a pristine pale yellow colour with very light, abundant bubbles which rise uniformly to form a fine mousse. The evocative bouquet opens with notes of pears and fresh cute white flowers. Left in the glass for a time, the nose develops a richness and density of pure character. Once on the palate, Comtes is lively, direct and precise with flavours of candied lemon zest and fresh pineapple. The balance is something to behold. This Champagne's marriage of finesse and aromatic intensity is a promise of further potential, but already offers very pleasurable drinking.

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