Champagne's

Champagne/Sparkling Wine Facts

California is the largest consumer of Sparkling Wine in the United States!

Traditionally, the three grape varietals used in sparkling wine are: Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

One grape vine yields 3 to 4 bottles of sparkling wine.

A “Muselet” is the wire cage on top of the sparkling wine cork.

The pressure in a bottle of sparkling wine is 90 pounds per square inch, that’s about three times the pressure in your automobile tire.

When opening a cork can escape a bottle of sparkling wine at almost 70 mph.

A bottle of sparkling wine, when opened should never pop with a big bang, but with a soft sigh.

You should not swirl sparkling wine in your glass like a still wine…it will “bruise the bubbles!”

Information gained from “Mumm Napa”

Some great Champagne's from Overseas

Alfred Gratien Champagne Brut Millesime 1997 - Vintage Champagne henriot One of the very best vintage Champagnes on the market. Famous for its profound freshness.

Champagne Moutardier Cuvée Étoile NV An elegant, Chardonnay-driven Champagne, with great complexity, character and a full body. Champagne Moutardier’s take on a Blanc de Blancs. This Chardonnay-dominated blend is rounded out by Pinot Meunier (20%). It is dramatically different in style than Moutardier’s other offerings with a ripe, mature character because of the higher proportion of reserve wine in the blend.

Champagne Leclerc Briant Rubis de Noirs Brut Rosé 2002 A profound, deep-colored rosé Champagne with very fine bubbles. Aromas of red fruits (raspberry) and spice predominate on the nose. A fresh and full-bodied Champagne; very rich and unctuous with berry, cherry and syrup flavors. Much bigger than a normal pink rosé.

Champagne Leclerc Briant Cuvée Divine 2001 A remarkably full-flavored bouquet of freshly-baked biscuits along with butter and almond aromas. A palate of delicate honeyed- fruit flavors that is racy and lively thanks to the Chardonnay, and full-bodied and rich thanks to the Pinot Noir. An excellent, long finish. Pair with your finest desserts.

Champagne Leclerc Briant Les Crayeres Brut NV A pale yellow Champagne with a fine foam. A fine mineral, vanilla, raspberry and lime nose. On the palate, you find flavors of quince and chalk. A very delicate Champagne that is ideal as an aperitif.

Champagne Moutardier Millésimé 1998 A rich golden-colored wine with great concentration and tiny, fine bubbles. An expressive nose of apples, stewed, ripe pears, and honey, with some biscuit and toast undertones. Excellent mousse with a palate that displays fruit, freshness, and a touch of minerality. A long, smooth, aromatic finish with a hint of nuts. The mature character of this Champagne gives it the richness to be enjoyed with lobster, meat and poultry dishes in addition to more standard Champagne fare. Drink now to 2012.