26159 Thu Oct 16 19:08:19 -0700 2003 8 1 San Francisco Bay Area 0 105985 Saw an ad for D&M Wine & Liquor for a "super-saver Champagne six-pack plan". For $149.04, you get two bottles each of the following three wines: Ayala Brut, list price $36.50 Beaumont des Crayeres 1996 Fleur de Prestige Brut, list price $49.99 Bollinger Special Cuvee, list price $42.00 Aside from the obvious $ savings, should I run out buy the six-pack because it is a good mix of good Champagne? TIA. Thu Oct 16 19:08:19 -0700 2003 0 ChoHound 1 105989 I don't know the champagnes, but I know (for 20+ years) shopping at D & M and trust them. That doesn't mean every bottle they sell is good, but if you ask, they will tell the truth about the quality of the champagnes. Thu Oct 16 19:44:18 -0700 2003 105985 0 goingoutagain 1 105995 If you like Champagne, it's worth a try. But if you gamble on having two bottles of each, and something is not to your taste, you're a bit sunk. The D&M prices are certainly aggressive and worth a look. But I've been buying some good bubblies at a small Peninsula place and paying $19.99 for Michel Gonet Brut (which is our favorite for price performance), along with Agrapart and Laurent Perrier Brut for $23.99. We also enjoyed a good bottle of Deutz recently ($22.99). The owner of this place suggested a Roger Pouillon Champagne for $39.99 and this bottling was sensational...I found it superior to the Beaumont Champagnes, for example...more like a Krug styled wine. But the fun is trying them all and seeing what appeals to you. So go get busy!!! Thu Oct 16 20:48:01 -0700 2003 105985 0 Jim Swanson 1 106000 They buy in very big quantities or used to, containers full and negoitate very savy deals on champagne. These are very reasonable $25 a bottle for NV bruts are still early 1990 prices. Thu Oct 16 21:27:51 -0700 2003 105985 0 fredinski 1 106001 They buy in very big quantities or used to, containers full and negoitate very savy deals on champagne. These are very reasonable $25 a bottle for NV bruts are still early 1990 prices. Thu Oct 16 21:29:57 -0700 2003 105985 0 fredinski 1 106002 I've had all these champagnes and I'd say it';s a great deal. Thu Oct 16 21:31:46 -0700 2003 105985 0 roxy 1 106012 I don't have anything more to add to the good advice already provided. But I did want to direct you to a Champagne discussion currently in progress on the General Topics board that might interest you. Also, be sure to download a free copy of Tom Stevenson's latest edition of his Champagne & Sparkling Wine Guide. Link: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/294460#1615032 Image: http://www.wine-pages.com/guests/images/tombox.jpg Thu Oct 16 23:03:27 -0700 2003 105985 0 Melanie Wong 1 106042 Whether or not this is a good deal will really be determined by the quality of the Beaumont de Crayeres. The Ayala NV Brut is very reliable, in a rather clean, fresh style, competing in the $25 category. The Bollinger is easily one of the best and most consistent NV Bruts produced in a richer style, and as such has always stayed above the fray in terms of price - going rate at discount stores is more like $34-36. The Beaumont de Crayeres is a bit of a wild card - you may want to try a bottle first. I agree with other posts that the selections by D&M are usually pretty good, and prices are about as good as they get. Cheers Fri Oct 17 11:32:48 -0700 2003 105985 0 Sam B 1 106047 Thanks everyone for your input and the valuable information! I will take the champagne plunge, and hopefully it's a splash. ;-) Fri Oct 17 13:26:03 -0700 2003 105985 0 ChoHound