Next wine myth dispelled CHAMPAGNE
Ohh bubbles I love you so... Why do you torment me?Doesn't matter if you call it Champagne (from the same region in France), Prosseco (Italy), Cava (Spain) or just a sparkeling white (everywhere else, U.S., Austrailia et al...) I love it. Love it love it. Can't get enough.
This myth to be dispelled right here right now is that Champagne wait lets make that Sparkelers. (get everyone involved...we're inclusive wine geeks not exclusive wine snobs)
Myth:
Sparklers are just for celebrating something.
What? Who the hell decided that? Why didn't they ask me for some input? Or any of us for that matter? Hell, I'll drink a Sparkler because it's Thursday.
For some reason and no one can say who or when, but somebody decided that you should only drink the bubbles when you have something to celebrate. And apparently the universe nodded its assent because every last one of us jumped on board with this thing.
It is kind of weird when you think about it. Why not a Sauvignon blanc? Or a funky Rhone blend? Why it gotta be bubbles? Maybe I'm not in the mood for bubbles? (lol ok bullshit I'm always in the mood for bubbles. It's like sex. In the mood? You betcha!)
Well STOP IT!!!!! When next you go to buy a bottle of wine make it bubbles.
I know I know "It's too expensive!!!" No it isn't.
I'm not telling you to go and drink a Magnum of 1990 Charles Heidsick (my personal favorite wine of all time bar none.)
There are Sparklers that range from 8.99-a mortgage.
NO NO NO NO I'm not talking about Andre brut. or Frexinet.
Things Like
Gloria Ferrier Brut or the Rose
Wilm
Louis Prederier
Cuvee Carneros
or if you are feelling a little frisky
Demoselle rose
Bollinger
Vueuve Clicqout
Granted those are little more expensive but worth the dough.
Anything get out there and look!!!!
Rule of thumb food paring for Sparklers. If it works with beer, it will probably work with Sparklers.
And when wondering if Champagne would go well for the occasion consider what Madame Lilly Bollinger said about it.
"I drink champagne when I'm happy and when I'm sad. Sometimes I drink it when I'm alone. When I have company I consider it obligatory. I trifle with it if I'm not hungry and drink it when I am. Otherwise I never touch it - unless I'm thirsty. ~"
posted by Chef @ 5/04/2006 05:45:00 PM
7 Comments:
The chefly one forgot to mention that he successfully wooed me one evening, making me say yes to him against my better judgement, with a bottle of Nicholas Feuillete Rose.
I'm not saying that champagne is always that great of a female marinade, but hey, it worked on me. ;)
I LOVE Frexinet. Always have. It's my dinner wine of choice, and i always worried that i was odd for liking the sparkly, and possibly slightly declasse?
You have validated me, Chefly One.
I am not worthy.
Minxy
LOOOOOVE the Veuve.
Champagne (and sparklings for that matter) are also surprisingly good with sushi.
Julie: More than likely it is a nonvintage P-J that you have and yes it is fine, if probably a bit chilly. The colder you keep a wine the slower it is to age. Pull it outta your fridge leave it on the counter 20 minutes and drink that sucker!
Minxy: It is never declassee to enjoy the sparkles. :)
Courtney: I agree with both of what you said.
Had nasty champage at a frat party (I was 18) and decided I hated it.
I have a friend that brings champagne to every party we have. Or movie night, or barbecue. That, and the many trips to New Orleans changed my attitude about champagne.
Chef: Great article. I used to follow that Sparklers are for special occasions myth until I saw a story on 60 Minutes or the Food Network with someone that pretty much reiterrated what you said "Why only on special occasions?"
So we do pop a bottle of sparklers more often now.
Went and bought one the day you wrote this.
Will report back, maybe Mother's Day?
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