474564 Sun Dec 30 18:45:33 -0800 2007 18 34 Wine 0 3248209 I've purchased a set of champagne flutes for a friends' housewarming gift and would like to also bring a bottle of sparkling wine to complement the flutes. Since I've already spent a fair amount on the flutes, I'm hoping someone can recommend a relatively inexpensive (say, under $30) and versatile (i.e., matches many foods and appeals to many palettes) sparkling wine. A white or rose would be preferred over a red, though red is not completely out of the question either. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Sun Dec 30 18:45:33 -0800 2007 11214 Juniper 1 3248314 The subject has been well covered, especially lately. What seems to come up again and again in your price range (USD) are the Mumm Napa Blanc de Noirs, about $12, on sale now Roederer Estate Brut, about $17, they also make a Rose sparkling wine, on sale now Argyle, from Oregon, about $24 Gruet, from New Mexico, about $15 Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve, about $30 at large volume wine store Laurent-Perrier Brut Champagne, about $30... But, of course, there are many others. Here are some helpful threads: Domestic Bubbly Recs http://www.chowhound.com/topics/462558 Fortino California "Champagne" -- some recs and good bubbly lesson from zin1953 http://www.chowhound.com/topics/471573 True Champagne...incomperable? http://www.chowhound.com/topics/430435 Help - a blind tasting for sparkling wine http://www.chowhound.com/topics/472981 Mixed Case of Champagne http://www.chowhound.com/topics/434080 Wedding Champagne Recommendations http://www.chowhound.com/topics/349059 ------------ Ah, I have just now noticed you're from Toronto. Add this from the LCBO to the list: Duval-Leroy Brut Champagne $25.05 (Prices seem much higher where you are compared to California.) Sun Dec 30 19:20:03 -0800 2007 3248209 18222 maria lorraine 2 3248551 The Duval-Leroy Brut Champagne at $25.05 is 375 ml, not an entire bottle, but enough to break in those glasses! Domaine Chandon Brut Cuvee $24.15 750 ml Mumm Cuvee Napa Brut Prestige $28.45 750 ml --and my vote-- the Roederer Estate 25th Anniversary Brut Sparkling Wine at $27.95, 750 ml. Sun Dec 30 21:29:04 -0800 2007 3248314 18222 maria lorraine 2 3249508 Yes, our government really loves to tax alcohol. So while I've read through some of the other posts on the topic, many of the options referred to in those posts end up being above my $30 limit once the LCBO comes into play. But it sounds like I have some excellent options given here by you and others. Thanks very much to everyone for the input! Mon Dec 31 10:35:10 -0800 2007 3248314 11214 Juniper 2 3251880 Ooh, the Duval-Leroy Brut is a good one. Hunt Tue Jan 01 15:41:29 -0800 2008 3248314 11329 Bill Hunt 1 3248652 To add to Maria's suggestions... The Nino Franco Faive Rose Brut @ $21.95 *might* be very good. I've not had it but I've had their 'Rustico' Prosseco, and that is one of th ebetter Prossecos on the market. The Huet Brut Vouvray 1999 @ $25.95 might also be an excellent choice. This is another example where I am familiar with the winery -- and quite a big fan, actually -- but I've never had this particular bottling. Sun Dec 30 22:56:11 -0800 2007 3248209 50041 whiner 1 3248810 Grongnet, RM, Blanc de Blancs, Brut. I got mine for $28 a bottle, and it is as good or better than a long list of things that cost 2-3 times the amount. This is a grower champagne that was a "real find" recently. It compared favorably to a Billiot we had at the same time (particularly as a value, I mean, the Billiot *was* better, just more expensive), and is probably the best under $50 champagne I've had since the 70s when wines like vintage Schramsburg were under $20. Alas, one of my old favorites, Veuve Cliquot, finished near the back of the pack *again* for me recently. I remember when it was $35 a bottle for the orange label and still great, but sometime in the mid to late 90s it started to slip, and continued the slide in recent years. 1995 Veuve was the last bottle of vintage I bought from them. It is most disappointing to see such a canonical champagne house produce anything less than a high quality product. Mon Dec 31 05:12:21 -0800 2007 3248209 83832 fussycouple 1 3249258 Segura Viudas Reserva Heredad is a really good Spanish cava and comes in a beautiful bottle with a pewter crest and bottom. It makes a nice gift and usually runs about $20, sometimes a little less. I've given this bottle many times just because the bottle is so beautiful, and everyone that has received it has enjoyed the cava inside as well! Mon Dec 31 09:01:09 -0800 2007 3248209 128359 jcoz23 2 3249545 This sounds perfect. And it looks like it JUST sneaks in under my spending limit at $29.95 at the LCBO. Yeesh... alcohol is an expensive habit around here. Mon Dec 31 10:44:20 -0800 2007 3249258 11214 Juniper 3 3249562 Gack! It's US$6.95 a bottle at Trader Joe's. Sounds like the bootleggers need to reverse their routes. Mon Dec 31 10:50:07 -0800 2007 3249545 58743 alanbarnes 4 3249621 Oh how I wish we had Trader Joe's in Canada... Mon Dec 31 11:08:06 -0800 2007 3249562 11214 Juniper 4 3250048 The Reserva Heredad I've never seen under $17 anywhere in the U.S., and I usually find it at Cost Plus or Bevmo... It's probably the "regular" Segura Viudas you see at TJ's for $6.95.... Mon Dec 31 13:48:05 -0800 2007 3249562 128359 jcoz23 5 3250337 No, it's definitely the Reserva Heredad; the bottle has the pewter bottom and seal. I may be mistaken about the price, though, and will double-check that and post again. Mon Dec 31 16:21:03 -0800 2007 3250048 58743 alanbarnes 1 3249544 As far as the "versatile, matches many foods and appeals to many palates..." you're not going to do much better than Moscato d' Asti... Very affordable, and great with a very wide variety of foods from appetizer right on through to dessert. Mon Dec 31 10:44:13 -0800 2007 3248209 42549 Chicago Mike 2 3249593 Moscasto d'Asti can often be cloyingly sweet, 'course I still like Veuve Cliquot. The Siguras is one of those wines I see on shelves when I am not in the market for it. Mon Dec 31 10:59:32 -0800 2007 3249544 26666 FrankJBN 3 3250106 Jump across the boarder where the CDN $ goes further and pick up a bottle of the 2002 Argyle Brut at $24. Excellent quality. Mon Dec 31 14:10:59 -0800 2007 3249593 50082 TonyO 4 3250262 US$ and CDN$ are equal now, as of this date. Certainly our OP, if she has the time and this is not a NYE gift, may be able to make the run for the border. The OP may have a greater selection in Buffalo at Premier Wines and will be able to obtain her bubbly at a lower cost given the Canadian taxes, but will the border tariff upon returning and gas costs make her trip worthwhile? Perhaps only if she buys a case or three? I don't have enough information to answer this. Mon Dec 31 15:33:05 -0800 2007 3250106 18222 maria lorraine 5 3251009 Spend the night at the (avoid the tariff), fill up the tank in the US (save a $1.50 / gallon), and feel good about helping the economy of such a wonderful country. We often return the favor by travelling north and dropping a few loons. Tue Jan 01 08:22:04 -0800 2008 3250262 50082 TonyO 3 3250629 If Moscato is cloyingly sweet, how do you feel about Sauternes ? Mon Dec 31 20:02:06 -0800 2007 3249593 42549 Chicago Mike