Hello, all. I'm new to Fodor's, and would like some advice. My husband and my anniversary is coming up soon and we wanted to make it extra special by having some champagne to celebrate. This will be my first time for alcoholic anything and would like some suggestions for what to buy for our special night. The only champagne I am somewhat familiar with (I use the word familiar loosely!) is Vueve Cliquot yellow label. Any suggestions?

Some major marques to consider besides Veuve-Cliquot (which I love!): Laurent-Perrier, Moët et Chandon Brut Impérial, and Perrier-Jouet. If you're new to Champagnes, be aware that these Champagnes are quite dry--and also relatively expensive.

You might want, as an alternative to "real" Champagne, to try a California sparkling wine. Good ones are Domaine Chandon, Domaine Carneros, Korbel, and Mumm Napa Valley.

hi
you have more responses on your other postings of this question

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34640169

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34640163

My favourite Champagne is Krug, although it is VERY expensive. An affordable Champagne that is FANTASTIC--if you can find it--is Bollinger Grande Annee 1990. It usually runs about $100 a bottle.

Another good California producer is Roederer, Anderson Valley.

One that still has a "WOW" factor is
Dom Perignon...

Another, with a very pretty bottle is Perrier Jouet

and Spanish sparkling wines are Cava's and well - I like their taste A LOT!
(and they are awfully really inexpensive). And they bubble and fizz and tickle your nose like a champagne

Good champagne does not taste like it looks (sweet, romantic, sparkly). I think you are in for a big surprise.

Will this also be your husband's first experience with champagne? If so, just pick something that fits comfortably within your budget. Since you've never tasted before, you won't have any idea whether it's good or bad. If your husband has had champagne before, maybe he should be doing the choosing.

I'm curious; why is your first question on a travel board about champagne, and posted on the europe forum?

Enough already! You have posted the SAME question in four threads on 2 forums. You are new so maybe a little slack is in order - but four identical posts is at least 2 too many.

ok, janis. at least two other people have already told me this and I have sweetly thanked them for their advice and apologized. You on the other hand have set out to purposely make me feel bad -and you KNOW that i'm new. tsk

you do have to stay on your toes on this forum, but please...rex..

taylor- if you want your thread to 'sink' to the bottom, that happens when you and all of us quit writing replies.

taylor, if you want to stick around this board for a while (and it's worth it in both information and entertainment!) you will have to develop a thicker skin.

janis is not trying to purposely make you feel bad any more than you were purposely trying to irritate folks by starting 4 posts in one day on the same topic.

Methinks you've gotten the message and won't be doing that again

So, which kind of champagne (or sparkling wine to be technically correct for the majority of choices on the market) are you planning to celebrate with?

starrsville, I know you're right about the thicker skin, I've always had a problem with that! I'm still not sure whether I should go with some sparkling wine or actual champagne yet. In fact, it doesn't have to be either. I just wanted something that would highten the romanticizm. hmmm...

You have never tasted alcoholic anything? Why wait until a particular night? Try some wine or great beer or even a lesser sparkling wine, and see what you prefer. Then on the big day, you can order/buy what you like, and not get sick or have a headache, or decide you'd rather have a milkshake after all.

If you have *never* had alcohol, I really don't understand why you want to start now.

Heighten romanticism by drinking? I guess it is an age-old tradition.

These threads have driven me to drink - Fuzzy Navels to be exact.

Is it Saturday somewhere?

not soon enough!

If you have never had alcohol before, I doubt you will like Champagne. Stick to something sweet like Asti Spumante. In my opinion, Champagne requires an educated palate. People who have never been swimming shouldn't jump into the deep end of the pool first.

I've got an idea, let's turn to travel.
Who has visited any of the champagne caves near Reims or Epernay, and which offered good tour or tasting experiences?