5 Awesome Champagnes
There is a lot of great Champagne out there. Especially with the current Grower Producer movement, there are more brands of Champagne out there than ever. Grower Producers grow their own grapes and make Champagne from them. Major Champagne Houses in contrast, although they may grow some of their grapes, usually purchase many from farmers often on long term contracts. In any case, there is a hoot load of different bubblies out there with an enormous array of different styles and tastes. Here are 5 of my favorites in no particular order.
Vilmart is a Grower Producer started 1872 but their real story starts in 1991 when Laurent Champs took over. They have a mere 11 hectares of vines that they grow organically, and they ferment and age all wines in oak barrels, not at all common today. The wines are simply breathtaking and it would be fair to say they have a cult like following. All of their wines are awesome, but can be a bit hard to find.
Dom Perignon is made by the massive producer Moet and Chandon, and in contrast to Vilmart is easy to find. They produce a seeming sea of it while maintaining a very high quality. It is the world’s most famous Champagne and an extremely dry one as well. It is not the best – there is no best – but one of the top Champagnes made and often at a reasonable price compared to the quality. I’d gladly drink it every day.
Krug is a very traditional house that makes very big and very dry Champagne with enormous power. There is nothing else like Krug, and being described as remotely Krug-like is a massive complement! This is not a wine for everyone due to its power, dryness, and complexity. It is too intense for many. Although perhaps not as well known as some others like Dom and Cristal, it is at least their equal.
Cristal does need mention in this list, the superb Champagne from Roederer. It is almost an anti-Krug wine as its trademarks are grace and elegance, not at all power (although it's no wimpy wine either). Many of us love both Krug and Cristal!
Taittinger Comtes de Champagne is the last of the five wines I’ll mention. This is a Blanc de blancs, meaning an all Chardonnay wine, and is consistently kick ass in all vintages. It is a big wine, and James Bond, and his creator Ian Fleming, are enormous fans.
It is hard to make a list of only 5 as there are plenty of other deserving wines. If I had to list my favorite Champagnes, the list would probably be 25-30 long!
Vilmart is a Grower Producer started 1872 but their real story starts in 1991 when Laurent Champs took over. They have a mere 11 hectares of vines that they grow organically, and they ferment and age all wines in oak barrels, not at all common today. The wines are simply breathtaking and it would be fair to say they have a cult like following. All of their wines are awesome, but can be a bit hard to find.
Dom Perignon is made by the massive producer Moet and Chandon, and in contrast to Vilmart is easy to find. They produce a seeming sea of it while maintaining a very high quality. It is the world’s most famous Champagne and an extremely dry one as well. It is not the best – there is no best – but one of the top Champagnes made and often at a reasonable price compared to the quality. I’d gladly drink it every day.
Krug is a very traditional house that makes very big and very dry Champagne with enormous power. There is nothing else like Krug, and being described as remotely Krug-like is a massive complement! This is not a wine for everyone due to its power, dryness, and complexity. It is too intense for many. Although perhaps not as well known as some others like Dom and Cristal, it is at least their equal.
Cristal does need mention in this list, the superb Champagne from Roederer. It is almost an anti-Krug wine as its trademarks are grace and elegance, not at all power (although it's no wimpy wine either). Many of us love both Krug and Cristal!
Taittinger Comtes de Champagne is the last of the five wines I’ll mention. This is a Blanc de blancs, meaning an all Chardonnay wine, and is consistently kick ass in all vintages. It is a big wine, and James Bond, and his creator Ian Fleming, are enormous fans.
It is hard to make a list of only 5 as there are plenty of other deserving wines. If I had to list my favorite Champagnes, the list would probably be 25-30 long!