On Napa’s bubbly path: Chandon

Exactly why Champagne (sparkling wine when it’s made here in the states) is tops for celebrations doesn’t always make sense. Why with all those terrible stories about headachy hangovers and sour stomachs, you’d think we’d just give it up.

But not so, and here’s the secret.  The “good stuff” is produced using a slightly different process that many call méthode traditionelle where the bubbles are created naturally by a 2nd fermentation right in the bottle.  That’s right, the bottle you take home was actually used in the final stage of making the wine!

You may say that only those who can afford the good stuff get to walk away from a celebration without facing the music the next day.  Once again, not so, and one producer Chandon offers several nicely priced 2-stage fermented sparkling wines to bring out for your next salute to whatever.

One of these is their “Brut Classic”.  It is available at Phoenix area Fry’s for $16 and provides a great example of the nice bubbles Chandon expertly produces.  Also, Total Wine has Chandon’s Etoile Grande Cuvee for $24.  Not bad prices for good quality bubbly.

Picking up both of these wines provides an excellent opportunity to set up a side-by-side tasting comparison.  Because of their different formulation and aging, there is a noticeable difference in the bouquet and flavor complexity present in these wines of a similar price range.

It’s best to note that Chandon offers an extensive selection of sparkling wines that vary in cost from under $10 to about $100 per bottle.  If you are interested in some of the more expensive variations, visiting their Napa Valley location provides an excellent opportunity to check them all out.

For Arizona residents, their wine club has shipping restrictions, but you can make arrangements with a bottle shop like The Wine Store to order special favorites this spring.  And of course, depending on what your situation is with filing your tax return, you may really need a good bubbly to pop on the April 15h and still get back to it on the 16th!