All That Glitters: Champagne and Sparkling Wine

“She keeps Moët et Chandon in her pretty cabinet…”

That opening line from Queen’s first big hit, “Killer Queen,” is how I first learned of what eventually became my favorite champagne brand. That said, I wanted to put it to the test, just to see how it stacked up against the other offerings available – there’s always another bubbly out there to try! And then, the perfect opportunity for a taste test arose- why not explore Queen’s lead singer and the “Killer Queen” composer, Freddie Mercury’s, favorite beverage while traveling to see the band’s latest iteration: Queen + Adam Lambert?

I decided to drink nothing but the sparkly stuff while making my way to the concert. The tasting order was low to high, from sparkling wine to champagne (remember that only wines produced in the Champagne wine region of France can legally be called “champagne”), making a few stops in between. As Freddie himself might’ve said, “Fabulous idea, darling!” My journey began the night before departure….

The Bubbles, Underwood, Union Wine Company
My pre-trip send-off was a sparkling wine sold by the can, which is its primary advantage; it saves you the necessity of opening an entire bottle. The Bubbles are pleasant but on the lighter side; consider bumping up the flavor by making a champagne cocktail (adding a sugar cube, bitters, and a twist of lemon) or using it in a wine-based cocktail (you’ll find some recipes for the latter on Union’s website). Note that this is a vegan, gluten-free sparkler.

The Callie, California Rosé Bubbly, Une Femme
One of the nice things about flying first class is being offered a beverage as soon as you sit down. So, as I settled into my seat, I gratefully accepted a glass of sparkling rosé from a company specializing in woman-made wines. You can expect a rosé to be more flavorful, and the Callie has strong berry notes with a nice dry finish. It’s also available by the can, and a percentage of the proceeds are donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Blanc de Pinot Noir, Domaine Chandon
My concert destination was the Chase Center in San Francisco. On the top floor, close to Portal 57, you’ll find Hennessy Bar, which offers an assortment of sparkling wines and champagnes. Some, like Dom Pérignon, were only available by the bottle ($600 in Dom Pérignon’s case). But there are offerings by glass as well, so I started with this with a glass of one of Chandon’s sparkling wines.

Although the winery has ties to Moët et Chandon in France and produces its wines using the traditional Champagne method (Méthode Traditionelle), being based in California precludes calling its wines “champagne.” The Blanc de Pinot Noir uses Pinot Noir grapes, but the pressing is immediately removed from skin contact to produce blanc (white) juice. It has a more robust taste than other sparkling wines in this price range, with red fruit flavors (cherry, strawberry) and a soft finish. This is a great choice if you don’t want to make the pricier leap into the realm of bonafide champagnes. It makes a delicious champagne cocktail, too.

Rosé Impérial; Impérial Brut Reserve, Moët et Chandon
And now, we ascend the mountaintop. I was pleased to have an opportunity to experience two different Moëts at Hennessy’s. The wines were served in a special golden goblet, proclaiming that Moët is the “Official Champagne of the NBA.” Quelle surprise! Who knew? Plus, the goblet attracts quite a bit of attention as you carry it around.

The Rosé is decidedly red fruit-forward, with the bite of cherry and raspberry; a wine that’s as invigorating as it is effervescent (that was the one disappointment about these goblets; you didn’t get the pleasure of watching the rising bubbles). The Brut Reserve has a crisp freshness, the effervescence leaving a nice tang on your tongue. While it’s white fruit (apple, pear) forward, with notes of brioche and nut, there’s also a subtlety to this wine. It’s perfectly balanced, with no flavor overshadowing another; perhaps that’s why its palate is so frequently described as “seductive.” It’s also why it pairs so well with everything. This is a wine to savor, so no champagne cocktails for this vintage, please.

So, Moët’s Impérial Brut Reserve still tops the list for me. But I have a postscript. On my return home the next day, I treated myself to a glass of Gloria Ferrer Sonoma Brut. This has been one of my favorite sparkling wines since it was recommended to me by an attorney over a decade ago – it’s my second choice after Moët et Chandon. Pinot noir and chardonnay grapes produce a delectable wine exhibiting notable white fruit and citrus balance with a creamy palate. A bottle is also about half of what you’d pay for a Moët et Chandon Impérial Brut Reserve – the kind of compromise that will leave you feeling like a winner.

After experiencing such an array of sparkling offerings, what else can I say but — Vive la difference!

Check out this video: The Night They Invented Champagne

PHOTO GALLERY – Images by the author (click to expand):