Among Friends

[Starpolisher]

Hello everyone,

Tomorrow my son and ddil are having a "gender party dinner" for dh, myself and ddil parents. After dinner, we will cut a cake which will reveal the sex of our first grandchild! Ds and ddil do not know the sex yet. They had the results put in a sealed envelope and took the envelope to  the bakery where they made a cake with white icing and either blue or pink cake inside.

I would like to bring a bottle of champage to toast the event. Ds might already have gotten some but their 1st anniversary is next Sunday so they can use it then. I'm going to get an alcohol free one for ddil but would like recommendations for a not to expensive, taste good go down easy champage. TIA! Starr

[Caitlinh429]

Well.. a few q's to think of:

• Do you want dry or sweet?
• What is inexpensive to you? Under $50, under $20?

If I'm having a very special occasion I will buy Veuve Clicquot (orange label, under $50).

For a fun occasion, I like to buy Barefoot's champagnes (most commonly known for their wines, however their bubblies are actually really tasty and come in a variety of grapes and flavors. They are great for parties as many people will enjoy them).

If I'm making cocktails I like Korbel (inexpensive and easily mixed with OJ or Chambord).

Stay away from Cook's brand (it's cheap for a reason).

You can always go to your local wine store too and ask a for their wine sales rep too. They'd be able to put you in the right direction and might even be having a sale on a more expensive brand.

[Suziepeach]

on Veuve Clicquot . Our favorite bubbly.  

[momtochloe]

I too am a fan of Veuve Clicquot but if your budget doesn't allow (I know mine doesn't all the time) the Barefoot's are very good.

Congratulations on your grandchild and have fun celebrating such a lovely event.  Cheers!  

[Reba055]

Taittinger makes a good champagne for about $50. I also like Freixenet for a cheaper one. It's about $12.

[Sweetbay magnolia]

Congratulations, and have fun!  I've always enjoyed Cordorniu.  It can't technically be classified as "champagne", because it is produced in Spain (though in the method of "Champagne"), but it's a nice sparking wine that is reasonable in price.

[Hooty]

I am not a connoisseur, but my favorite is Dom Perignom!

[Bridgegal]

I'm a fan of Veuve Clicquot also.  We don't buy champagne very often so I usually splurge on it.  I don't care for Dom Perignon.

The other less expensive one I like is Mumm's Brut Rose.  Very nice and in the $20.00 or so range, at least in PA.

Congrats and have fun.

[mousiegirl]

I have tried many through the years, but have settled on good old Korbel Brut, as I find it does not have a heavy taste, clean, and I squeeze lemon into it, frinlk it plain, also like it mied into ruby red grapefruit juice, but any fruit would be good.

[GingerPeach]

  @Starpolisher

 makes both blanc de blanc and blanc de noirs sparkling wine (cannot legally call it champagne,of course) but these two types were the best-tasting I'd ever had (and I am not a big drinker so they had to be good).  They are $39 and $41 respectively on the Schramsberg site (may be different prices or on sale in your local stores).

Congratulations on your milestone events!