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Veuve and Perrier are very nice and aren't cheap but they’re not expensive from a Dom or Cristal perspective. Mumm is also quite nice. All are more than you need to pay for a really nice sparkling wine. But before you chose, you should consider what sparkling wine (or champagne) is and what difference there is between the types.
Prosecto is Italian sparkling wine. It is sweeter and easier to drink than a dry sparkling wine (brut). Spanish sparkling wine is called Cava and can be sweeter like prosecto, but I think of it as more yeasty and very flavorful. Different and very good in its own way. True French Champagne is sparkling wine from the Champagne region of France. Anything else is just sparkling wine. It has a special taste that can't be replicated anywhere else. The bubbles are smaller, the taste is lighter, and the body is somehow tighter than anything else. That's why, for the money, I like Veuve. But for real bang for the buck bubbly, try Roederer Estates' brut sparkling wine. It's about $20 a bottle and it is great. Roederer Estate Brut A good host would stock up on a few bottle of the fancy French stuff to start the evening and have a selection of Spanish Cava at $10-$15 a bottle, Italian Prosecto at about $15, Italian Asti Spumante sweet bubbly at $15-$20, Mumms Napa Valley and tons of Roederer and let the guests pick them off ice and pour what they want. You'll be surprised that most people will go for the sweet cheap stuff while the more sophisticated palates will go for the Roederer, and the status hogs will go for the French stuff. Try it yourself, you'll see the difference between the various types and you'll be surprised to see what you like and why you like it after a blind taste test. |
wow, thanks...great info
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I think MRM gave you the best answer.
other thoughts include Krug (some of which really IS good) and Pol Rogers I like the various Veuves also. If your friends are really interested in Champagne, then have what are called "grower's Champagnes" and do a comparison on the different parts of Champagne. They do taste different, esp. south and north parts. After they are too drunk to notice, bring out the Cremants, followed by the Proseco, Calif. Rodoerers, and follow up with cheap beer and mezcal. |
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Not sure I agree with this. It's pretty hard to go from a good French champagne to prosecco or, god forbid, Asti Spumante in one evening. That is a steep fall. I would buy a nice cremant ( french but not from the champagne region) which you should be able to get for $20 a bottle and stick with it. Every bit as good as a good champagne - just not from the region. Also a couple of the big French houses produce fine champagne stateside, and these are superb value. Moet Chandon produces champagne in Napa under the name "Chandon" for example, for about $20 per bottle, and this is superb stuff. If you start and end with one of these options you'll be far better off than starting expensive and ending cheap IMO. |
A good excuse to test drive a number of them. And buy the one YOU like.
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thanks for all of the thoughtful responses guys. i placed my order tonight online from a local indianapolis vintner. i will pick it up in June when i go home. i'm not starting out the night expensive, then going cheaper. i just bit the bullet and went expensive.
the people at my party probably wont know any different, but for them, it will be a nice experience. it's fun, and that's what it's all about. ...indulging one's senses. from the lights and music, to the ambiance of the hookah lounge....it'll be a fun night. |
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Love to be there Mike, but I don't think I'll make it this year ;)
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I guess you already made your decision but this would have been a nice choice for high end;
https://shop.schramsberg.com/SHOP.AMS?LEVEL=BOT&PART=J056 Of course, you could still pick up a bottle for yourself.:D Last time I checked Kahn's carried it, but may need to order. |
It also boils down to people's tastes. Everyone wants to say they are drinking the best stuff around. Truth be told, I enjoyed Korbel Brut much more than Dom Perignon or Cristal or even Dom's little brother Moet & Chandon (which I seemed to appreciate more than the expensive stuff). Heck, I actually preferred Korbel to most other sparkling wines (champaignes).
Not everyone can fully appreciate the expensive stuff and sometimes it is just hype. Some of my family who could drink the most expensive choose a much cheaper item as they prefer it. Sorry, I cannot remember the name, it might be nothing more than a friends brew, and do not even know if they export it from France. I remember it having a VERY plain label and looking a bit crude as in not mass produced. By the way, it made Korbel taste like swill ;-) Questions seem to become: Have you tasted several different brands/types? True Champaigne comes only from a specific region of France (by law), the rest are just sparkling wine (including California's Korbel). Are you going to impress and diminish your bank account or are you going for selection in mid-range where people could sample different bottles? I've been to happy parties where they were serving Mad Dog, local shine, cheap whiskey, and skeeter repellant!!! (grew up in SE Texas and I've lived in Louisiana) |
I don't think anyone would drink an Asti, Prosecto, American sparkling wine and a vintage champagne on the same night. Different people will like different sparklers. A lot of people will like the cheap sweet ones best. More sophisticated people will only drink the perfectly dry French stuff. if you have a selection people can choose what they want and you'll find you're not spending a hundred bucks a bottle on everyone - just the ones who know what they like.
I'd use the Roederer as my "house" sparkling wine and have a good selection above and below that available. Do include some Cava. It's the same but different in a good way. Any decent wine store will give you a tasting if you're going to buy from them. Make sure you have small food plates available all night long and let people drink what they choose. I think yo |
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You might also consider "Cava" which is very similar Spanish wine. They are generally much less expensive for similar quality levels. You will need someone who know something about cava to help you choose the right one. |
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It's not too late to change your mind. I'd really suggest that you try a few of the cheaper ones suggested first. You can always save the good stuff for yourself. JR |
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money isnt really a concern for this party. it's about my guests having fun and feeling special. i also ordered a keg of awesome local craftbrew (sun king), as well as a complete assortment of liquor. it's going to be a fun night! |
The liver needs to be punished!
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