My wife and I will be hosting a brunch party next month for our newly born son for what they call a “sip and see”. Since this is going to take place during brunch time, I figured champagne and rose will be the main drinks throughout the party.
Party will be about 50-60 people so I need some recommendations on a good champagne for around $40-$60 where I can buy a case of 2-3 different types of champagne to supply the party. I’m located in Miami, and since it’s ridiculously hot this will have to be purchased locally or somewhere inside the state of FL.
Was thinking possibly if a magnum of Champagne Laherte Freres - NV - Grand Brut Ultradition but have never tried this cuvée before. Only tried the millesime. Any recommendations will be very appreciated.
Thanks
Bollinger. Can find it online sub 60 bucks and probably locally if you have a smaller retailer you have a good relationship with. Can’t think of a better crowd pleasing (and not in the derogatory sense) Champers.
Someone has a thread on good sub $50 bottles recently, might be worth hunting down and reading the notes.
Im a fan of Aubry and Ployez Jacquemart.
According to WS-Pro, Hollywood Discount Liquor has magnums of Champagne Louis Roederer Brut Premier for $59.99. For 50 people, I’d probably get at least a case of 750’s or 6+ magnums.
Mr. D in Miami lists some good wines under $50. Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut and Duval-Leroy Champagne Brut Réserve for a little over $45, and Aubry Premier Cru Brut is also under $50.
If you can find Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve, I’d get that. Other good options are Bollinger, Billecart Salmon Brut Reserve, Diebolt Vallois.
I’m no Florida or US wine retailer expert but I found those in Miami:
I’ll let others comment on pricing.
The description for the Le Mesnil BdB surely must be incorrect!?! The wine is a Blanc de Blances, not a Blanc de Noirs.
A. Margaine NV Le Brut
Gonet NV Grand Cru le Mesnil su Oger Blanc de Blanc
Agree with others about Charles Heidsieck and Ployez.
Not champagne, but the Raventos i Blanc entry-level Cavas are outstanding:
Both the 1497 “Blanc de Blanc” and the “de Nit” rose are excellent and a steal at ~$22/btl. Toss a bottle of each in your shopping cart with all your champagnes, and thank me later.
In that price range our preferences are for Taittinger and Pol Roger’s entry level NV bottlings. Depending on availability, you might be able to find a few Andre Clouet bottlings in that range and I like his 1911 a lot and have a few other bottlings in the basement that I haven’t tried yet. Have fun, enjoy!
I like Steve’s call on the A. Margaine NV Le Brut. I had one recently and was impressed for the price. I also agree with the recs for Charles Heidsieck and Pol Roger. They’re consistently good and in the right price point, last I looked.
If you can can find it on sale (or stretch to ~65), Pierre Peters cuvée de reserve is a bland de blanc and favorite of mine.
Diebolt-Vallois is great and has a few options in your price point.
If you want a big name, Roederer (242,243) is doing interesting things for their nv but numbered bottling.
I haven’t tasted the Ultradition but Laherte Freres produces one of my favorite blanc de blancs in your price range. Brut Nature. Big fan of Aubry as well.
I would not serve Brut Nature to a bunch of guests at brunch for a sip and see. It might jam for some wine geeks, but that’s a wine with enamel stripping acidity.
Warren and Phil’s suggestions are good. Roederer, Charles Heidsieck are good easy choices. Laherte Ultradition is a good fun choice and, dare I say, a scintillating label for such a party. Diebolt Valois BdB would be the jams.
NV Diebolt Valois is the answer here.
Lilbert perhaps?
If you have the Aubry 1er Brut available to you, then that one.
Jose Michel’s rose is pretty darned good for the price (should be $30 - $40)
Marc Hebrart - Brut or Extra Brut
That’s fair. I’m a sucker for high-acid bubbles.
Pol Roger Brut isn’t a bad option at this price point.
I recently had Le Brun Servenay Melodie en C Grand Cru Extra-Brut and thought it absolutely stunning for the price ($43)
50 people. I’d assume at least 1/3 bottle per person. Need minimum of 18 b of 750 ml, best to have 24. Some great options listed.
Agree on the Aubry brut. Search for the Pol Roger brut bdn and you will find agreeable pricing.