Help Pick me a Champagne
Discussion
Taittinger Comtes des Comtes - available in a few places around that mark- however taste is so subjective, why don't you call a specialist and talk to them about what to get? They will match it to other wines you may like?
Certain styles of champagne are not to everyone's taste.
Give BBR a ring. They've got some relatively unknown (estate wise) champagnes that are not household brands but taste superb.
Certain styles of champagne are not to everyone's taste.
Give BBR a ring. They've got some relatively unknown (estate wise) champagnes that are not household brands but taste superb.
P.Griffin said:
Up the budget (£120 or so) and grab some Cristal (Louis Roederer)....comfortably the best Champagne I have ever drunk. Bollinger La Grande Annee is a close second and is right in your budget. Get one as old as you can afford for some bottle age.
Oh...and good luck mate.
Both of those suggestions are very dry and a bit of an acquired taste IMO. I think they are fantastic, but my girlfriend isn't a fan. Oh...and good luck mate.
Way under budget (but perhaps harder to get hold of in the U.K.), but offering excellent quality vs big names and a more approachable flavour, would be for me De Sousa (rose in particular is excellent) or Pol Roger.
Edited by eyebeebe on Monday 6th February 12:40
P.Griffin said:
grab some Cristal
As above, taste is subjective (and I mean both the tastebuds and the aesthetics 
). I'm a fairly frequent and partial consumer of champagne, and for me the NV Roederer at about £40 a bottle is significantly nicer than Cristal, which also has a tendency to smell odd, not to mention the image issue, if that sort of thing bothers you.Agree with some of the other posters...Champagnes vary wildly in their styles. Might be an idea to tell an expert what you like, light/full bodied, dryness etc, and let them guide you. Berry Brothers would be a good place to start but if you can't get there or the delivery on one bottle is to costly then Majestic are pretty good with their Champagne selection.
Ref the Nyetimber suggestion above, if you are actually in Kent, and not sufficiently set on one particular brand (given that you're asking here), then I'd nip down to Chapel Down at Tenterden and grab something from there. They will probably let you taste first. It's decent stuff (multi-award winning I believe) and for what you want it for, there's just that little bit more meaning in that it's local. We had actually planned to have Chapel Down at our (Kent) wedding, but the venue fell out with them beforehand!
I quite like a Ruinart, very smooth. https://thechampagnecompany.com/products/dom-ruina...
GT03ROB said:
Remember that unless she has some level of familiarity with the stuff, most people in a unmarked tasting wouldn't know or recognize the difference between a 15quid bottle of supermarket own label & expensive vintage!
Missing the point slightly...I'm sure OP would like to celebrate with something "special" not the cheapest alternative. I'm assuming you wouldn't be seen dead in a cooking 996 with a GT3 kit? 
CAPP0 said:
As above, taste is subjective (and I mean both the tastebuds and the aesthetics ). I'm a fairly frequent and partial consumer of champagne, and for me the NV Roederer at about £40 a bottle is significantly nicer than Cristal, which also has a tendency to smell odd, not to mention the image issue, if that sort of thing bothers you.
Everyone will have their own opinion, but to label its aroma as odd is a bit harsh. I though it was a reasonable suggestion given the event.). I'm a fairly frequent and partial consumer of champagne, and for me the NV Roederer at about £40 a bottle is significantly nicer than Cristal, which also has a tendency to smell odd, not to mention the image issue, if that sort of thing bothers you."There are some occasions in life that nothing else will do, but Cristal needs time and so you need to plan ahead. 5 years ago I opened a bottle of 1996 that I had held since it was released, it really made the occasion. It was a bottle of Champagne that I will never forget, being rich and yeasty, yet poised at the same time, perfectly pitched and more than worth the wait!"
I can't claim the credit for that one...no that was Matt Tipping from BBR Fine Wine dept.
Edited by P.Griffin on Monday 6th February 14:25
P.Griffin said:
GT03ROB said:
Remember that unless she has some level of familiarity with the stuff, most people in a unmarked tasting wouldn't know or recognize the difference between a 15quid bottle of supermarket own label & expensive vintage!
Missing the point slightly...I'm sure OP would like to celebrate with something "special" not the cheapest alternative. I'm assuming you wouldn't be seen dead in a cooking 996 with a GT3 kit? Anyhow back on track, so to speak, how about Laurent Perier Grand Siecle? Nice bottle too!
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