I recently stumbled across this post on the Thief Wine Blog about a blind champagne tasting the author did with customers, and I thought it was an interesting experiment.

They tasted Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin, Bollinger Special Cuvee, Pierre Gimonnet 1er Cru Blanc de Blancs, and Philipponnat Royale Reserve, all bottles within the same price range. Obviously, Veuve Clicquot is the most recognizable name of the bunch, but in the blind taste test it finished fourth (Philipponat was the winner).

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Here is a great video from about.com on champagne and sparkling wine basics for all of you recent converts, or anyone who has the occasional trouble opening champagne. The information in the video is transcribed below it as well, and is worth a look!

Went out on the Friday after Thanksgiving and ordered the house champagne. I was asked the whole night what I was celebrating, even though my drinks were less expensive than most of the other wine and cocktail selections. Most people still don't get that there are delicious, unexpensive champagnes that can and should be consumed without a special occasion!

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Hope everyone had a delicious turkey and champagne-filled Thanksgiving yesterday! Now that it's officially the holiday season, I know many of us are searching for those perfect gifts and this one I ran across on The Gift Corner blog looks like a winner! Called Champagne Savers, this beautiful leaf-shaped utensil helps keep opened, refrigerated bottles of champagne fresh for up to two days. This is an awesome accessory for anyone who wants to keep leftover champagne drinkable (though I must admit, I never usually have any extra!).

These beauties run about $200-350, and can be purchased at Mary's Garden and Neiman Marcus.  

Just came across a new book that looks fascinating: The Widow Clicquot: The Story of a Champagne Empire and the Woman Who Ruled It by Tilar J. Mazzeo. The book tells the story of Barbe-Nicole Clicquot Ponsardin, the woman who made the brand Veuve Clicquot ("veuve" in French, of course, means "widow") a household name and whose vision shaped how the world views champagne today. Defying the traditions of the 18th and 19th centuries, as a young widow Clicquot brought champagne onto the world scene and became a business mogul at a time when women engaging in commerce at any level were scarce indeed.

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Be the occasion a college graduation, the birth of a new baby, or a post-World Series locker room victory party, champagne is the unrivaled drink of celebrations worldwide. But here at The Champagne Report, we consider it a travesty that champagne is largely viewed as a delicacy only to be enjoyed at special events. Much to the contrary, champagnes and sparkling wines offer a wide variety of delicious and affordable options that can and should be enjoyed on a regular basis.

If you love champagne, we want to hear from you! Have a favorite small champagne label? Which American wineries produce the highest quality sparkling wines? Know the best places to get a bargain on top bottles? Check back often, and raise your glasses!

"Come quickly, I am tasting the stars!"
Dom Perignon

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