WTN: Thoughts on a Champagne Event

Jeff,

One thing to be aware of with the Terry Theise Champagne producers is that many, if not all of them place disgorgement dates on the back labels. So you can have a pretty good idea if what you are buying has been on the shelf for a relatively short or relatively long time.

Thanks David. I'll definitely have to keep my eyes open for those labels. The disgorgement dates definitely help. Too bad it isn't made "mandatory" on the labels. I know speaking for at least me, I'd be prone to buy even MORE champagnes from specific houses/growers if I could always see precisely when the bottles were disgorged, the make up of the years (at least in general if not specific) etc. Not that champagne is having trouble getting a lot of my purchases as it is, but it still would make the shopping much more interesting and informed.

Previously, the only bottle I found the disgorgement date on was a NV Charles Heidsieck I believe. I purchased it in Chicago actually but, ironically, it turned out not to be one of my favorites. Could have just been a poorly stored or "off" bottle I suppose. But at least it did have the date! So I appreciated that...

Jeff

Clouet is the one that uses a solera type system, right? I think 11 Mad uses for a house bubbly, very nice.

I'd probably list Taittinger CdC as my all time fave, while I've had some great Krug, I prefer the lightness/brightness of the Taittinger.

I'd probably list Taittinger CdC as my all time fave, while I've had some great Krug, I prefer the lightness/brightness of the Taittinger.

I can't blame you there! Is arguably my top favorite too, depending on the particular bottle/time frame of course. There is indeed a pure"seductive" and purity pleasure in Comtes de champagnes that indeed makes it hard to resist for me. That sort of sums up my feelings on good (aged) blanc de blancs in general. Like you, sometimes I'm just really drawn to that pure elegance profile that chardonnay gives especially when (or if) it gets beyond it's "green" stage. But I'll take the Krug's and Bollingers too! No competition necessary with me. My heart, nose and tastebuds are big enough to enjoy all! Too bad the wallet isn't endlessly big enough though...

Jeff

Camille Saves makes a terrific Rose.. maybe you should make your list a `Bueker's dozen' by adding a 13th..

I agree with the Camille Saves Rose. I always have a few bottles of these on hand. Lovely stuff!