Some would say, “James, why on earth are you writing about champagne in February? Isn’t that for New Year’s, weddings and celebrating 15 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Country charts?”
Well, yes, but for far too many Middle Tennessee residents such events are the only time we think of champagne … and that’s a shame. Bubbly has a lot to offer all year, given its versatility. It pairs with almost any food. You can drink it by itself or in cocktails—it makes everyday occasions suddenly special.
Plenty of cocktails out there include champagne—including one actually called a “Champagne Cocktail,” a delicious classic including a sugar cube doused with Angostura bitters topped with champagne and finished with a lemon twist. The sugar sweetens the champagne while the bitters give it flavors of cinnamon, clove and nutmeg. The lemon zest on top makes for a bright citrus nose that entices you to the glass again and again. Other simple-to-make fizzy favorites include the cassis-flavored kir royale, peachy Bellini, the mimosa and the popular St. Germain cocktail. They’re nothing more than a splash of flavor topped with bubbly—easy!
For those ready for something a little more involved, there are cocktails like the French 75, which combines champagne, gin/cognac and lemon. It was named after the French field gun from WWI because of the punch it packed.
Perhaps you’re a fan of rum—in that case try an Old Cuban. This twist on a mojito was developed by Audrey Saunders, the owner of New York’s Pegu Club, and features the mint and lime flavors of a mojito with the delicate flavors of champagne. For the more adventuresome, try a Russian Cocktail featuring champagne, cognac and Gilka Kümmel, a caraway, cumin and fennel flavored liqueur.
If cocktails aren’t your bag, remember that champagne by itself is perfect this time of year. For most people, Valentine’s Day means flowers, candy and dinner, but perhaps it’s time to spice things up. What better way to show your spouse you put a little thought into Valentine’s Day this year than with a nice bottle of bubbles? Or perhaps it’s your first Valentine’s Day with that special someone? A good bottle of bubbly can make you stand out from past suitors and say you’re not like the others. Let’s face it, there’s just something about a glass full of sparkles illuminated by the gentle golden glow of candlelight to set the mood for love.
Some ideas about champagne on Valentine’s Day: If your dinner is going to be at a restaurant, call a couple days in advance and ask what champagnes or sparkling wines the restaurant offers by the bottle, so that you know if there’s something suitably special on the menu you want to select. If the offerings are the usual, or only by the glass, then ask what the corkage fee is if you bring your own bottle. Bringing your own champagne, as long as it isn’t something already on the menu, is perfectly acceptable at most restaurants.
Next, go to your favorite wine and spirits retailer and select your bottle. Remember, you’re trying to make this a special occasion, so don’t be afraid to spend a buck. In Nashville, you can expect to get a good California sparkling wine for between $25 and $40. However, true French Champagne, which I recommend, will start out at about $40. Expect to spend $50 to $70 for a good bottle of French Champagne. True Champagne comes only from a specific region in France where the growing conditions are perfect for the grapes used in champagne. Sparkling wine can come from anywhere. So, while all champagne is a sparkling wine, not all sparkling wine is a Champagne.
Finally, take the bottle to the restaurant earlier in the day and let them know when you want it to be served … before, with or after dinner. Your guest is sure to feel special when she/he sees the thought and effort you put into the evening.
In short, champagne is so versatile that it’s hard to think of a situation it doesn’t go with. It’s what to serve when you don’t know what to serve. It isn’t just for special occasions, but it makes any occasion special. Do yourself a favor and keep a couple of bottles at the house.
Selected Champagnes
G.H. Mumm, Cordon Rouge Brut
Non-Vintage
$39 to $45
This company has been producing this Cuvée for more than 100 years with consistency, and that’s why it’s a perennial favorite for any celebration—including the Formula 1 Racing Championship. The wine is medium-bodied with citrus notes of grapefruit on the nose and has a palate of apple with hints of vanilla.
Veuve Clicquot, Brut Yellow Label
Non-Vintage
$49 to $55
This is a classic mainstay of the French Champagne world. It’s for the person who wants a full, rich Champagne, both bold and elegant at the same time. The bubbles are fine and create a cloudlike mousse that dissipates to show the golden color of the wine itself. The Yellow Label is big enough to hold up to heavy foods.
Taittinger NV Brut La Française
Reims, France
$35 to $42
Taittinger has long been one of the top Champagne producers, with more accolades than anyone would care to count. It has a nose with a light biscuit and berry feel. The acidity is brisk and the bubbles fine and strong. This is a very well-balanced offering and is a safe bet to impress.
