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?

Hi Taylorlane. Your options will depend on your budget. However - in my opinion - Champagne is overpriced and overrated. Obviously for such a special occasion you wont want to go for the bargain basement option but anything more expensive than Moet Non-Vintage or Veuve Clicquot Non-Vintage is probably not worth the money. You may even prefer to go for Sparkling Wine which offers much better value than Champagne and still gives the pop and fizz that makes drinking it such fun. Have a look for Jacobs Creek Sparkling or even Domaine Chandon.

Hi
In the future, you don't need to post the same question several times, just reply to your own message to bring it once again temporarily to the top of the topic queue on the left.

For a California sparkling wine, I am especially fond of Schramsberg Blanc de Noirs. For a true French champagne, the Veuve Cliquot you mention is excellent. I am personally fond of Nicholas Feuillatte (white or rose champagne. and they are easy to like imo), Pol Roger, and Mumm.
Not all liquor stores will carry all brands, depending on where you live.

I think Elaine has given some excellent advice. Since you are obviously not "into" alcohol, the last thing you want to do is become some sort of "wine snob" so my advice is whatever you drink will automatically be "the BEST" if you continue to focus on the occasion itself rather than the beverage.

Hi T,

You might find an Italian Prosecco or an Asti Spumanti (sweet) more to your liking and lower in cost.

Since you're new to Fodors I'll pass on the usual advice....

Click on your own name up after 'Author' and it will bring up all the threads you started on any of the boards.

You've got 4 threads going right now with the very same question and are getting responses on each one.

suze & elain,
thanks for the advice! I'm sure I look silly with my same question everywhere. :0)

I don't agree entirely with some of the previous posts.

If I'm having a few friend round or a barbie or something, or if I'm in France or Italy or Spain, then sure, I'd rather drink Seaview, Prosecco, cava, or blanc de blancs (but not Asti Spumante- not since I was 17!), but champagne is plain special, and don't let anyone tell you different. If you don't know about alcohol, it's hard to gauge what you would like, but there's nothing wrong with "the Widow".

Great years are 71, 82, 85, 88, 89, 90, 95, 96 and 98. Nothing wrong with '03, '02, '00, 99, 97 and 93.

You can purchase many excellent Champagnes for about $30 per bottle; one that comes to mind is Pommery non-vintage but there are many others whose names are even less familiar to most people. These will be the products of smaller producers in the region that do not advertise and whose products will be equal to or better than many of the more famous marks. Ask a trusted wine merchant or proprietor to recommend one for you..tell him or her what your budget is and if you would prefer somewhat sweet wine or very dry (not sweet) wine. Or try the web site for a large shop such as Sherry Lehmann to get an idea of what is out there.