Needing champagne suggestions for election night

[MidwestMomma]

I don't have the big bucks but would like something decent in the $15.00 to $20.00 range. (Please don't mock me...that's expensive champagne for my budget.)

So when you finish laughing at my wine tastes, please respond if you have any suggestions.

Thanks....

[Scooter24]

1. I'm clueless about champagne...

But my brother was in the same situation. He had $25 to spend so instead of getting champagne, he settled for Vodka...He says it'll have the same effect anyways :)

I hope someone here can answer your Q though :)

[kanrok]

2. Moet White Star

If it's on sale it's about 20 bucks. It's worth the extra dough though. (Hey! I'm a poet! It's Moet!...okay I'll stop now).

[MissB]

4. I agree

It is a good choice for that price range.

[MidwestMomma]

5. Thanks

That's what I'm looking for. Something special to celebrate with.

On the other hand, if things go badly, it will be whiskey shots for me.

[kanrok]

17. Enjoy

I hope you will be breaking open the bottle because we win.

[tcfrogs]

3. There was a story in the Chicago Tribune today

about champagne for World Series celebrations, but here you go:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/chi-0410270127oct27,1,4144551.story

We tested six bottles of bubbly for their post-game celebratory qualities. Keep in mind that we are trained professionals; don't try this at home. (Or if you do, try it in the back yard.)

KORBEL EXTRA DRY

(1 cork)

Origin: California

Price (rounded to nearest dollar): $10

Cork pop (rounded to nearest foot): 39 feet

Spray: 22-foot arc, multiple gushers

Stickiness: Light

Remarks: Good bang for your buck, but what if you have to drink it?

BELE CASEL PROSECCO

(2 corks)

Origin: Italy

Price: $11

Cork pop: 6 feet (cork deflectedoff the hand during launch)

Spray: Fizz doesn't travel farbut has a showy sea foam quality

Stickiness: Moderate

Remarks: Better suited for bowling team winning league trophy

DOMAINE CHANDON BRUT CLASSIC

(4 corks)

Origin: California

Price: $13

Cork pop: 50 feet

Spray: Four strong eruptions marked by a maximum splash of 20 feet

Stickiness: Moderate

Remarks: The Red Sox made the right choice; grand slam of sprayers

BODEGAS 1+1=3 CAVA BRUT

(2 corks)

Origin: Spain

Price: $13

Cork pop: 35 feet

Spray: Strong, forceful foam shoots nearly 22 feet

Stickiness: Strong

Remarks: Excellent spray, but so darn sticky

VEUVE CLICQUOT BRUT

(3 corks)

Origin: France

Price: $30

Cork pop: 52 feet

Spray: One big gusher; nice arc, wide stream

Stickiness: Light

Remarks: Uncorked the longest shot and spray was downright majestic

POMMERY BRUT APANAGE

(2 corks)

Origin: France

Price: $40

Cork pop: 43 feet

Spray: Good spray; high arc

Stickiness: Strong

Remarks: At this price, just drink it

[kanrok]

7. My wife and I had the Domaine Chandon Brut as party favors

at our wedding. It was pretty good, but I still maintain that White Star is a better choice. You won't regret it.

[da_chimperor]

23. I'm more partial to the Domaine Chandon myself . . . but i'm biased

Mom works for the company :D

[kanrok]

26. Good enough reason to quaff

I am confident that no matter what you choose to drink next Tuesday, it will be worth it. We WILL WIN!

[MidwestMomma]

8. I like their thoroughness. That had to be a fun test.

Thanks.

[mitchtv]

6. Hey I'm no snob I like Korbel

about 15/bottle. Also nice is the Sonoma Valley Gloria Ferrer about that much too Or buy 3 or 4 bottles of Fexinet(black Bottle) perfectly palatable for about 7

[MidwestMomma]

11. Yeah I'm no snob either

I'm more of a beer drinker but when I want to really celebrate I love those 'tiny bubbles'.

I've never had Korbel.

Looks like I might have to buy more than one bottle.

Here's hoping 'happy days are here again' come next Tuesday.

Cheers!

[mitchtv]

25. Korbel California

Sorry , I am a bit nationalistic about CA. Gloria Ferrer was my nieghbor in Sonoma valley. I made Cabernet S. I love Sonoma wine, having seen all of them almost. Ferrer is a Catalan family who also makes the black bottle in Spain onder the name Frexinet.

[CottonBear]

9. Ask at your local wine shop about good champagnes.

Bonjour MidwestMomma.

There are some excelllent sparkling wines from California and other wine producing regions (Note: only sparkling wine from the Champagne region of France can be so named.) Also, there are smaller bottles of the "good" stuff that would be in your price range. I will join you in an online toast when Kerry wins!

Au Revoir, Cotton Bear

[MidwestMomma]

18. I will toast you with something sparkling next Tuesday...

See you then. Thanks.

[CottonBear]

21. You're welcome!

I, too, am on a budget. I think that I'll go over to my local wine shop and buy a special bottle of something good. Fortunately, the shop is within walking distance!

We should start a DU toast thread when Kerry wins!

[politicat]

10. Skip the champagne and find Red Electra California Moscato

http://www.quadywinery.com

It sparkles a little, it's light on the alcohol and it's a sweeter red. Very nice, easy please wine.

I get it here in Colorado for about $8 a bottle and even my wine snob friends like it well enough.

Pcat

[MissRegina]

12. Freixenet

Freixenet (sp?) Brut. It's excellent alone or with orange juice for a fantastic mimosa. And it runs about 8/9 bucks a bottle. Half the price you want to pay!

[gumby]

13. On my budget

I like Cooks extra dry, $3.99 on sale.

Hey, whatever.

[MidwestMomma]

20. Hey nothing wrong with Cooks

It's all in the bubbles!

[sleepyhead]

14. Pol Roger brut

We had it at our wedding and that's what's in the fridge now, waiting for 11/2. I think it's about $23-26. Or, Freixenet Cordon Negro which is about $10-12 I think? It's also yummy. But anything will taste good after Kerry is declared the winner!

[MidwestMomma]

19. I agree, when Kerry wins, anything will taste like nectar.

Thanks for your recommendations. I'll check them out.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

15. Veuve Cicquot

[MidwestMomma]

22. Sounds intriguing..I'll check it out

Thanks

[CottonBear]

24. Mmmmmm Veuve Cliquot n/t

[politicat]

16. Duh! Mend it. Use the sparkling wine to make French 75s.

(Mrs. Robert Heinlein's favorite cocktail.) I make mine by the punchbowl for big events.

4 bottles of champagne (Andre - the REALLY cheap stuff $5 a bottle - works well)
1 can condensed lemonade
16 ounces decent brandy or some people use good gin. I think the brandy works better.

(Make sure your punchbowl will hold 8 liters. If it won't, cut the recipe in half.)

Half fill the punchbowl with ice.

Melt the lemonade mix. Pour the lemonade over the ice, then rinse out the can with the brandy. Stir.

Pour the champagne carefully down the side of the punchbowl to preserve the bubbles. Stir gently.

You can also make these by the glass - use 1 tablespoon of sugar syrup, a teaspoon of lemon juice, a half-shot of brandy over ice in a tall glass; fill with champagne. For a non-iced version, use a flute.

Pcat