On time arrival of Baby New Year set for midnight. Crowds reach new record highs welcoming in the New Year!
Yes, it’s that time of the year as we bid Adieu to 2014 as it finally crosses the finish line exhausted like some weekend warrior having poorly trained for a marathon. We are all anxiously awaiting the birth of the baby New Year and no one more so than I. It has been a year of accumulated successes hopes and tempered by disappointments here and there. Is there any reason why I should not be at the head of the champagne line? Before I forget or get too carried away, after all there is a bottle of French champagne in my fridge calling me so with that, I wish all of you in the blogosphere and beyond, a very Happy New Year in 2015!!
Now on to some serious bubbly notes. It’s true I must give a nod to the bubbly – a source of endless personal enjoyment. But which Champagne to choose? How to choose? I got twenty bucks can I be some of that French like Champagne??? Ahhh non Monsieur may I suggest a Cava from Spain or perhaps a Cremant from Bourgogne or Alsace as huh, fine substitutes not doubt. Let’s assume my readership need not resort to such measures and the decision to buy good Champagne is a must and not a question. Accordingly, here are some of my favorite champagnes but under the Truth and Advertising Act of 1962 I will admit I have not tasted them all – yet that is!
Les Champagnes:
NV Bollinger – Brut Champagne Special Cuvée ($65.00)
1997 Bollinger – Extra Brut Champagne R.D. ($250.00)
NV Charles Heidsieck – Brut Champagne Réserve ($40.00)
2002 Chartogne-Taillet – Brut Champagne Cuvée Fiacre Taillet ($70.00)
1998 Krug – Brut Champagne Vintage ($300.00)
NV Laurent-Perrier – Brut Champagne ($35.00)
NV Louis Roederer – Champagne Brut Premier ($32.00)
2002 Moët & Chandon – Brut Champagne Cuvée Dom Pérignon ($125.00)
NV Pierre Peters – Brut Blanc de Blancs Cuvée de Réserve ($58.00)
NV Taittinger – Brut Champagne Prélude ($68.00)
Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame 1998 ($115.00)
I will stop here as I believe I’ve made my point that French champagne runs the gamut from a very acceptable price to the slightly extravagant and over the top. Whatever your price range – be it $30 or $300 and up, there is a champagne that has your name on it.
How best to enjoy champagne you ask? Well Marilyn Monroe was said to have taken a bath in champagne…that’s one way and all sorts of questions come to mind of course but for another time. I did want to remind some of you not put your champagne in the freezer to chill it unless you happen to be curious as to how frozen champagne shards look in your freezer. Believe me, it’s not pretty. I leave it at that. Lastly, don’t inspect the cork too closely as you turn bottle (remember hold the cork and turn the bottle gently). A cork popping has the force of a blown bus tire. Don’t point the bottle at your best friend then tell him to turn and catch the cork. The less popping noise you can exact from the cork extraction the more fizz remains in the champagne and the more you can critically observe the little bubbles rising to the surface. Lastly, drop the orange juice glass, the beer mug and the jam jar in favor of a fluted glass or perhaps the “coupe” which is another traditional but shorter champagne glass. Remember boys and girls, hold the glass by the stem not because its the right way, but otherwise you are warming the champagne! Either way, you’re good to go so put on your evening wear and dazzle everyone.
See all of you on the other side of the New Year.
Happy New Year!