New Year's Eve events typically are accompanied by champagne. Although, a bottle of bubbly usually goes down really quickly and will get the party started, not everyone appreciates cheap fizz or likes the Spanish and Italian champagne variants cava and spumante.
For those who want, and can afford a more exclusive bottle of champagne, there are many options ranging from top of the bill champers such as the rosé champagne 'Cristal' from Roederer, a Blancs de Noir from Bollinger or a Vintage from Krug. Of course the champagne houses also present slightly less prestigious and more affordable drinks. Take a look at the following selection of the best champagnes and raise your champagne glass to make the perfect new year's speech accompanied by the finest sparkling wine.
Cristal from Louis Roederer
Louis Roederer is a Champagne house based in Reims (France). Founded in 1776, the same year as the United States of America, it was inherited and renamed by Louis Roederer in 1833. It is known as the producer of the luxury champagne Cristal.
Cristal originated in 1876 as a requested special champagne for the Imperial Court of Russia. Alexander II feared assassination and wanted the champagne bottles to be clear instead of green to ensure there was no bomb hidden inside it. Cristal has a flat-bottomed clear, 'crystal' bottle, anti-UV cellophane wrapper and a gold label. Cristal is viewed by many as the first prestige cuvée and developed an image of exclusivity.
Try these: Louis Roederer Cristal 2002, Champagne UK £149.00 - Louis Roederer Cristal 1999, Amazon Uk £201.49 - Louis Roederer Blancs de Blancs 2003, Champagne UK £56.00 - Louis Roederer Brut Premier NV Champagne, Waitrose £34.19.
Bollinger
Bollinger is a champagne house, founded in 1889, by Joseph-Jacob Placide Bollinger. It is situated in the Champagne region of France and is one of the last remaining family businesses. When Bollinger modernised its image, the wine producer used, amongst others, the James Bond series as a marketing device. Roger Moore, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig all are heard asking for a bottle of Bollinger in their respective Bond movies. In Britain Bollinger Champagnes are affectionately known as "Bolly".
Try these: Bollinger Vieille Vignes Francaises, Epernay Champagne £374.95 - Bollinger La Grande Annee 2000, Laithwaithes Wine, £60.00 - Bollinger Special Cuvée, Laithwaithes Wine £29.59.
KrugKrug is a true family business which started producing champagne in 1843. All of the champagnes have aged for at least 6 years in cellars deep below the city of Reims, the main city in Champagne (France). The grapes are hand-picked and pressed. Krug is the only premier champagne house that still ferments all of its wines in oak. Their wines are almost all prestige cuvées and priced considerably higher than other top champagnes.
Try these: Krug Vintage 1996, Drinksdirect.co.uk £225.00 - Krug Rose NV Champagne, Waitrose £198.55 - Krug Grande Cuvee NV Champagne, Waitrose £120.65.
Dom Perignon from Moët & Chandon
Moët & Chandon is one of the world's largest champagne producers and a prominent champagne house. The company holds a Royal Warrant to supply champagne to Queen Elizabeth II. Moët et Chandon was established in 1743 by Claude Moët, and today owns more than 1,000 hectares (2,500 acres) of vineyards, and annually produces approximately 26,000,000 bottles of champagne.
In 1973, the company undertook its final merger; with Louis Vuitton. This merger gave birth to the largest luxury group in the world, Moët-Hennessy - Louis Vuitton (LVMH). Moët et Chandon Brut Impérial issued an extremely limited bottling of its champagne named 'Be Fabulous', a special release of its original bottle with decorative Swarovski Crystals, marking the elegance of Moët et Chandon. Also in 2006, Moët et Chandon illuminated the Statue of Liberty on its 120th anniversary. Furthermore, Moët et Chandon has become a symbol of Rap and Hip-Hop culture, and has been referenced in many rap lyrics.
Dom Pérignon, a special vintage champagne now owned by Moët & Chandon who took over the vineyards, was invented originally by the monk Dom Pérignon in 1694 who wanted to make the best wine in the world. This famous champagne was served at several glamorous occassions such as Prince Charles and Lady Diana's Wedding.
Try these: Dom Pérignon Vintage Rose, Amazon uk £299.99 - Dom Pérignon 2002, Champagne UK £115.00 - Moët & Chandon Brut Imperial Rose NV Champagne, Waitrose £37.04.
Piper-Heidsieck is a champagne house from the Champagne region (France). It was founded by Florens-Louis Heidsieck in 1785 (Reims), the Heidsieck name was combined with the Piper name in October 1839 when, after Florens-Louis' death his cousin Henri Piper married the widow of Christian Heidsieck. Since late 1990, Piper-Heidsieck has been part of the Rémy Cointreau wine and spirits group.
Try these: Piper-Heidsieck Rare 1999, Harrods £180 - Piper-Heidsieck Brut 2000, Master of Malt £44.95 - Piper Heidsieck Champagne Brut Rose Sauvage, Tesco, £ 22.79 - Piper-Heidsieck Brut NV Champagne, Waitrose £26.59
On New Year's Eve fill your guests' champagne glasses with the best champagne. Whether you go for the prestige cuvée or opt for slightly more affordable fizz, you can't go wrong with Cristal from Roederer, Bollinger, Krug, Dom Perignon from Moet & Chandon or Piper-Heidsieck. Happy New Year!
For a preview of next year, read the best champagnes for 2011 in FINE Champagne Magazine.
References: Wikipedia
Carlien van de Kreeke - About me Carlien van de Kreeke has a Masters Degree in Germanic languages (English/ Dutch Literature and Linguistics), obtained at the ...
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