Champagne

French Champagne is without question the finest sparkling wine in the world. Champagne is both a region and a method. It is the combination of soil, climate and grapes that make Champagne the most superb sparkling wine in the world. Champagne can contain up to three different grapes: Chardonnay, and the red grapes Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. The wines come from the northernmost vineyards in France. The Champagne wine region is located about 90 miles northeast of Paris. An 18th Century Benedictine monk named Dom Perignon is said to be the first to blend both varietals and vintages, making good wines not only great, but also special and unique to their winemaker. Today, almost 75% of Champagne produced are non-vintage (NV) and are make up of a blend of several harvests from different years. Vintage Champagnes are only produced in the very best years; they are always more expensive than non-vintage Champagnes, but not necessarily always better tasting.

Krug 1988 Vintage Brut Champagne, France Established in 1843, Krug has specialized solely in prestige and exceptional Champagne. Dedication to quality takes precedence over quantity of production. The House of Krug does not compromise time nor expense with their Champagne. In fact, it is the only Champagne House still fermenting all of its Champagne the age-old way, in small oak casks. The Krug tradition and expertise has been passed on for six generations from father to son. Since 1843, an experienced member of the family has taught their children the art through apprenticeship. This is what has ensured the continuity and quality since its origin. The year 1988 started mildly at the vineyard; then came the rain, snow and storms in February and March. April and May saw the weather conditions alternate regularly between sun and thunderstorms. A beautiful and very hot summer, which is most favorable for the grape's development, was followed with some rain and cooler temperatures in September. This produced one of the finest and balanced harvests ever. After the first fermentation in the oak barrels, this winemaker knew they had a great vintage with incredible character. An absolute legend! Simply put, this may be one of the finest Champagnes ever. After more than a decade of bottle aging, it has a deep golden color with lively floral and tropical aromas. In the mouth, it explodes on your palate with a burst of complexity and intensity that you will never forget. If you are a Champagne fan, this is an absolute must-have. $135
Veuve Clicquot 1996 Gold Label Brut Veuve Clicquot was a cult favorite in the 1980's. Pronounced (vuhy klee-KOH), it became one of America's favorites and is still one of today's most popular Champagnes. It has a great tradition; in fact, the winery is responsible for the discovery of the process of remuage (riddling) in 1816. The remueur, or riddler, goes through the racks of Champagne bottles and gives each bottle a slight turn while gradually tipping the bottle downward. After the aging process of six to eight weeks, the bottle is almost completely upside down resulting in all of the yeast sediment ending up in the neck of the bottle to be removed. This process made the Champagne clear instead of cloudy. This Champagne is always a great blend of Pinot Noir balanced by the elegance of Chardonnay. It is a nice accompaniment for many dishes including most shellfish, sea fish, poultry and pork. For more information on this winery visit www.veuve-clicquot.com $60	G.H. Mumm Cordon Rouge-NV Brut The Mumm winery was founded in 1827 and in 1875 launched the well-known Cordon Rouge. Its label, the red sash of the Legion of Honor, has helped make it one of the most recognizable and famous names in Champagne. It is a very consistent and inexpensive Champagne. It has a nice golden yellow color with a hint of jade. The nose develops aromas of citrus, peach and apple. The flavor is complex with just the right amount of acidity. Visit www.mumm.com for more information. $37
Laurent-Perrier NV Grand Siécle "La Cuvée" Since 1949 this House has climbed from 100th place worldwide to 4th. The amazing growth is credited to Bernard de Nonancourt, a man with incredible vision that surrounded himself with a creative team. Since 1812, Laurent Perrier is located in the village of Tours-sur-Marne, France. This is a terrific NV brut that many prefer over the more expensive Champagne. For more information on this winery visit www.laurentperrier.com $99

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