(2008-12-29) Cheap Champagne Testing

We tried 3 relatively cheap champagnes/Sparking Wine this week (Eating, Wine Business).

• "Scores", a batch which had been bulk-ordered by the "gentlemen's club" before it went out of business, $8. (Made in France, but I didn't save the bottle, so I don't have the vineyard name.) I thought this wasn't bad - a little fruity for something labelled "brut", but not bad. But Jihi hated it.

• Chandon Brut Classic, $13. Not bad at all, but nothing special.

• Prosecco Brut Mionetto, $11. I really didn't like this, found it a combination of sweet and bitter/chemical.

I prefer Korbel Brut to any of these. Strangely, the last 2 (East Village) places I was wine shopping, they didn't carry it.

• Early-Jan'2009 update: local liquor store had it at $14.99.

• Late-Jan'2009 update: AstorWines has it at $11.99. We have a winner!

  • but to kick off Chinese New Year, bought a Perrier Jouet Grand Brut for $32: it was quite good. Then opening the Korbel for the 2nd night....

• Feb'2009 update: Mumm's Cordon Rouge for $24. In-between the Perrier Jouet and the Korbel.