5 Champagnes and Sparkling Wines You Should Know About
There is nothing quite like a glass of your favorite fine wine or champagne. There’s something special and unique about high-quality wines that just cannot be experienced any other way. The key is to know your taste preferences in order to choose products that match your profile.
As a wine lover, how much are you willing to spend on your favorite vintage? This is an interesting question given the fact that wine and champagne are two products for which price and quality often match. The higher the price, the higher the quality. That’s not to say that there are not some exceptionally good wines and champagnes that cost less; there are. But it is to say that the finest products on the market usually cost the most.
With all of that said, here is a list of five champagnes and sparkling wines you need to know about as a wine lover. Each of them is well worth every penny invested.
Bollinger R.D. Brut 2002
This beautiful sparkling wine from Champagne, France carries on the vision of the legendary Madame Bollinger. Her family began making exceptional wines and champagnes in the early 19th century. Bollinger R.D. Brut 2002 is a recently disgorged wine with a golden hue that catches the eye is soon as it is poured. A ripe fruit flavor gives way to a discreet taste of honey followed by subtle notes of nutmeg, anise, and cocoa. It is surprisingly fresh despite the fact that a typical bottle is aged between eight and 20 years.
Dom Perignon Rose 2003
It would be nearly impossible to put together a list of this nature without mentioning something from Dom Perignon. The silky, spicy Rose from 2003 is a well-defined sparkling wine that’s hard to forget. Dom Perignon used a very small and select vintage of nearly perfect grapes to create this masterpiece in a bottle. Rich in texture and flavor, Rose 2003 combines flavors of strawberry, ginger, biscotti and ground anise. You might even taste a bit of iodine and salt in the finish.
Perrier-Jouet Rose Belle Epoque 2005
This incredible 2005 vintage from Perrier-Jouet is not the most expensive wine on the market, but it is certainly in the upper tier. As soon as you pour a glass, the salmon-pink color will immediately inform that you are onto something special. The wine’s flavor is a soft and delicate combination of floral and fruity notes accentuated by pink grapefruit and pomegranate. This is a full-bodied wine with a near-perfect finish that leaves very little acid taste behind.
Champagne Krug Brut Rose
Versatility is one of the best ways to describe Champagne Krug Brut Rose, a flavorful wine disgorged in 2013 that can be enjoyed now or aged through the middle of the next decade. This wine goes very well with fish, salty and savory dishes, and even different kinds of game. Most surprising is its refined flavor combining fruits, honey, and just a hint of cured ham. It offers a unique experience not found in any other wine in its class.
Louis Roederer Cristal Brut 2007
This is easily one of the most expensive sparkling wines on the retail market. It is the preferred champagne for toasting, thanks to a combination of incredible flavor, just the right color, and a signature bottle that takes the combined package to the next level. In terms of flavor, expect a floral bouquet accentuated by hints of almonds and hazelnuts. This is a light and fresh champagne that is not afraid to dazzle your palate with every taste.