New Year's Champagne

[kwilkinson]

Recommend me some decent ones to drink while we ring in the new year. Preferably under $30. TIA!

 

[Joffrey]

Andre extra dry

 

[The Wayfarer]

Originally Posted by Jodum5

Andre extra dry

No.

Personally, I'd spend the extra $20 and go Veuve. Another option would be Perrier Jouet. If you want to cheap out, there's always the other bubblies: Prosecco and Cava. We've got a NYE party essentials article on my site right now if you care to check it out, lots of good advice.

 

[The Wayfarer]

Of course, there's also Moet. I'm not a big fan, but it's certainly adequate and falls within your price range.

 

[pscolari]

Gruet.

http://www.gruetwinery.com/wines.htm...07386811708325

Not bad for what it is and it's around $15. I think there is a huge void in real champagne at the under $30 mark.

You could also try one of the Argyle Bruts (from OR) for under $30.

 

[Concordia]

Gruet.

From California, Roederer Estate is another good substitute for the real thing.

Or, you could give the whole dry/acidic thing a break and go for Prosecco, which is light and charming, if not at all sophisticated.

 

[Spatlese]

Originally Posted by The Wayfarer

No.

Personally, I'd spend the extra $20 and go Veuve. Another option would be Perrier Jouet. If you want to cheap out, there's always the other bubblies: Prosecco and Cava. We've got a NYE party essentials article on my site right now if you care to check it out, lots of good advice.

Agreed. What's Veuve NV going for currently? I used to get it (within the past 12 months or so) for $35-40 when I visited the states.

 

[gdl203]

Pol Roger - $30-40 pretty much everywhere

 

[bdeuce22]

Vin de Idaho

 

[Nahmeanz]

Originally Posted by Spatlese

Agreed. What's Veuve NV going for currently? I used to get it (within the past 12 months or so) for $35-40 when I visited the states.

still 35-40

 

[Bhowie]

You could get like 30 bottles of Mums.

 

[Dmax]

If you are spending around $30 I would go for a non-vintage "real" Champagne. Looking at Sam's website, which should have a location close to you, I would go with the Heidsieck & Co Monopole brut "Blue Top" for $29. Other choice are Demoiselle "Grand Cuvee" for $27 or Piper-Hiedsieck brut for $33. Veuve Cliquot NV brut is fine also but IMO it's not any better than Heidsieck or Piper above though it costs 30% more.

If you are not a big champagne drinker you may like less drier cuvees marked "Demi-Sec" as opposed to "Brut" better. Both Heidsieck and Piper-Hiedsick offer these for roughly the same price. A popular example of a demi-sec cuvee is Moet Nectar Imperiale.

 

[Thomas]

Whatever you go with, drink one for me - I'm sadly abstaining this year.

 

[Baron]

Originally Posted by Concordia

From California, Roederer Estate is another good substitute for the real thing.

This one - Roederer Anderson Valley Brut. About $20 and I like it better than Veuve. I have a bottle of each for tonight with dinner (the Veuve was a gift) and I'll reexamine that judgement.

 

[A Y]

I think Veuve is better if aged a bit. Most people drink it too young.

--Andre