We also do (and did this year) Billecart Salmon. The Blanc de blanc is our favorite but not always easy to find. So this year we did their Rosé which we also enjoy very much.
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We drank two bottles of Piper Heidsieck Sublime, a demi sec non vintage mainstream champagne. I often buy Piper Heidsieck as they are imho one of the good mainstream ones (better than Ruinart I think), but now they were on sale at 20 euro a bottle (!!). The regular brut was already sold out, but I may even like this demi sec better.
https://www.foliowine.com/wine/piper-heidsieck-cuvee-sublime/
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A cheap alternative to Champagne that I enjoy (about $20). Fortunately also available in half-bottles, so no waste.
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Also available in single serve.
Some of the west coast sparklers are reasonably priced alternatives, too. I always thought the Domaine Chandon lineup, especially Blanc de Noir, was awfully good.
LaMarca is a staple in my family too. My SO’s mother and sister buy it by the case.
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Domaine Carneiros is very good too.
I’ve been to the winery a few times. On one visit I tasted an exceptional Pinot Noir that was available at the winery only, and brought back 3 bottles; this was pre-9/11, when doing such things was easy.
It is spectacular. In Austin it is hard to find and has moved up to the forty dollar range. At that price point it is easy for me to opt for a grower Champagne, but Domaine Carneros is a worthy alternative.
We had a this one from Töst.
“TÖST ROSÉ bottles are all-natural, delicious, dry, sparkling, alcohol-free beverages with white tea, Ginger and Elderberry. TÖST creates Meaningful and refreshing drinking experiences that are perfect for every occasion”
I read the original post carefully and it counts!
We enjoyed it!
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I, too, enjoy the La Marca, and it’s a bargain at $20. I’ve bought and served a lot of it.
However… I may like Costco’s Kirkland Prosecco at least as much at half the price.
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I haven’t seen it here (Ontario/Quebec) in years. Their top sparkler is called “Le Rêve” (French for “The Dream”), and in San Antonio 20+ years ago I had a superb meal at a French restaurant of the same name. There was some association between the winery and the restaurant.
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Ok, now I am putting that one on my list. I love dining in San Antonio.
Sigh. In Maryland, Costco can’t sell alcohol. Neither can TJs.
That restaurant closed some years ago, but I believe the chef is now at another restaurant.
Interesting. An increasing number of friends are asking for something sans alcohol, and my usual offering is sparkling cider. Nice to mix it up a bit.
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My college classmate, a Mr. Martinelli, is loving it.
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Be careful what you ask for. Here in Washington, Costco bankrolled referenda to break the state’s monopoly on liquor. It sorely needed breaking, but the fix locked out small businesses and locked in the advantage for Costco and grocery chains. And now the state taxes the shi! out of spirits.
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Here in NY Costco and TJs can sell beer, but not wine or liquor. So Kirkland wines and Two Buck Chuck aren’t part of our lives. I’ve heard good things about the Kirkland prosecco too.
Seltzer mixed with both pomegranate and pineapple juice makes a nice looking and tasty mocktail. Decorate the glass with a slice of lemon or a pineapple wedge. Fancy LOL
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What glasses do you use to drink bubbles? Way back when I bought some Riedel flutes (not their top-of-the-line, but expensive to me all the same. As they broke I looked for cheaper alternatives to replace them. In my googling I found that Champagne houses such as Krug had changed their thinking on the best shape of glasses, and were now recommending white wine glasses instead.
Googling further on best glasses, I came across Lehmann Absolus glasses on Amazon (admittedly may have been sponsored). I liked the shape, so I bought a pack of 6. I like that I don’t have to tip my head so far back to get the last drops. I also use them for white wine. Do I detect a big difference in taste? No.but I needed new glasses.
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