Category Archives: Champagne

Conversations With Terry Theise – Part 1: Terroir

Several weeks ago, I received an email from an old friend, Terry Theise. Wine lovers will recognize his name: Terry Theise introduced my generation and probably a few others to fine wines of Germany, Austria and Champagne. He helped launch … Continue reading

Posted in Austria, Champagne, Germany | Tagged , | 3 Comments

What do wine lovers really want?

When preparing yesterday’s rant about the current existential dread in the wine industry over the indifference of younger consumers to our favorite tipple, I came across this piece I wrote just more than 10 years ago. It still rings true … Continue reading

Posted in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bargain Wines, Books, Bordeaux, Burgundy, California, Champagne, Chile, China, DrinkLocalWine.com, Eastern US, Local Wine, Maryland, Riesling, Sustainable, Weblogs, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Wednesday wine recommendations 12/13/2017

The holiday season is here, the month in which Americans buy the vast majority of sparkling wine sold in the United States. So throughout December, I will recommend a variety of bubblies from around the world, from good inexpensive fizz … Continue reading

Posted in Biodynamic, Champagne, France, Holidays, Italy, Natural Wine, Sparkling Wine, Washington Post | 1 Comment

Champagne Pannier Rosé Brut

Berries and roses, not whiskers on kittens; bubbles up noses, not warm woolen mittens. These are a few of my favorite things — in my glass! Champagne Pannier Brut Rosé NV, 12% abv, $48.

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Wednesday wine recommendations, 12/6/2017

This week’s recommendations include two delicious wines made from Semillon, a grape too often ignored by producers and consumers. Plus, we have an exotic white wine from Italy, an intriguing “natural” wine made of grenache from southern France, and an … Continue reading

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Relieve Some Pressure: Pop a Cork!

Opening a bottle of Champagne relieves pressure — both on the bottle and on the drinker. Those bubbles that mark life’s celebrations are really mood-altering drugs. Continue reading

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##WW More Holiday Bubbly and Some Celebratory Reds

In the spirit of “Wine Wednesday,” here are recommendations for some fine bubbly and two delicious red wines to help celebrate the holidays. These were published December 10 in The Washington Post, with lists of stores in the DMV that carry … Continue reading

Posted in Cava, Champagne, Holidays, Wine | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

#TBT: Not All Festive Fizz Comes from You-Know-Where

To call other sparkling wines “champagne” is unfair, not only to champagne producers, which try to protect the brand, but also to the wide range of bubblies from around the world that have their own character and identity. Continue reading

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#WW Five Champagnes for the Holidays, and Beyond

Champagne is expensive — usually from $30 a bottle on up. The best values tend to kick in around the $40-$50 range. That’s another reason to treat them like fine wine and savor them out of a decent glass. Here … Continue reading

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Champagne: What Glass to Choose?

A new glass promises to help us enjoy Champagne to the utmost.
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Posted in Champagne, France, Sparkling Wine, Wine | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments