Living in NJ (for now), going to Wine LIbrary is always fun. I have to head up there tomorrow to pick up some wine I bought on futures that has arrived.
I thought I would ask the masses since you are all far more experienced than I for some help.
I want to really begin to explore the Champagne world (grower champagnes and the big houses too). While having read up on a bunch, like non sparkling wine I believe in tasting and trying to determine what suits your palate vs. chasing points. I actually read quite a bit on Cellar Tracker too (which I think adds alot of value!)
So here is my dilema/assignment. Since I am not working right now (God I hope that changes VERY soon…keep your fingers crossed) I do not wish to buy super expensive stuff but would like to cut my teeth on some variety.
If you have the time to peruse WL’s site and I asked, "I want to buy up to a case of Champagne (mixed) and spend no more than $550…what would you buy?
Any suggestions (especially if you have time to browse their site) and recommendations are greatly appreciated.
John:
Ian and Brandon are really great at helping you pick out stuff from their inventory.
Call ahead and arrange to meet one of them.
They will help you. When I am in the area, I stop in WL and have been extremely happy with their service.
Also - Ping Roberto and tell him to send you stuff from his inventory. I have gotten awesome grower champagne from him. He is a real pain to deal with but fortunately makes up in selection and knowledge what he lacks in civility
The Riondi Prosecco is stellar and at $9.98, you cannot go wrong. My favorite champagne, is not carried by WL, it is Larmendier Bernier and it is a biodynamic type of champagne
Ian is on vacation this week but I would definitely check in with him when he gets back… Pierre Peters and Henriot Souverain are both good. Avoid the '85 Cliquot Rose. Very variable.
Thanks so much for the rec Ted! Ian and Brandon will be pleased to hear about it (we actually didn’t let Ian go…he’s just locked up in the basement right now )
John, if you have any questions or want to get in touch with any of us, please feel free to speak w/ us via email, telephone, twitter, etc. Let me know when you stop by…definitely love to meet up “offline” (is that what the kids are calling it nowadays?)
Make that a ‘third’. It makes a consistent appearance at our house, especially in the summer combined with fresh seafood. If you go back in the archives, it was tasted and reviewed in one of the WLTV episodes (at a wine bar in NYC if I remember correctly).
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