Made for Tesco by Union Champagne. Up to 36 months in bottle (longer than average in Champagne). Bottles returned to cellars after disgorging for about 3 months to ensure optimum condition of bottle for shipping. The grapes used for this Champagne come exclusively from premier cru vineyards, based mainly in the Cote des Blancs, to the south of Epernay. The Union have access to 1200 hectares, through 1860 affiliated growers. The total area under vine in all of Champagne is 31,000 hectares, so the Union is the most significant producer of premier cru Champagne within the entire trade.

Darker colour. Full, bready, savoury aroma. I tasted this just 2 nights ago… A full, savoury and delicious flavour which lasts very well. 12%
(733 stores)
27/06/08

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mel

We used this champagne for our wedding anniversary party. When Tesco had 20% off recently, I purchased a dozen, just over £10 per bottle, fantastic value , even at £12.98 , which is the current offer.

Despite tasting many pleasant* Champagne's in the past, I simply refuse to pay the ridiculous, high price asked nowadays for what is little more than fizzy wine.

Cava anyone?




*Pleasant, in a Vina Sol sort of way.

[quote="GK"]Despite tasting many pleasant* Champagne's in the past, I simply refuse to pay the ridiculous, high price asked nowadays for what is little more than fizzy wine. Cava anyone? [/quote]

Sorry GK, can't agree with you and no doubt the millions of champagne lovers all over the world, will support me. I agree there are poor wines calling themselves Champagne, but if you get a glass of the real stuff, it is heaven. Consign Cava to the caves I say!

What's Champagne ?

Is it anything like the lovely NV Lindauer Special Reserve chardonnay/pinot that Thresher sell for a mere £8 and smells of fresh bread and tastes of bread and wild strawberry.

It's also slightly pink.

But that can't be helped.

G

I love a glass of champagne, but in almost all cases I'd prefer the money spent on still wine. There are times when a glass of champagne is just right, and boy some of them are delicious, but £25+ buys an incredibly good bottle of still wine and (generally) champagnes at £10 to £12 are less than lovely.

I'll be tasting new world fizz under a tenner for new year's eve.

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mel

[quote="Goosegogs"]What's Champagne ?

Is it anything like the lovely NV Lindauer Special Reserve chardonnay/pinot that Thresher sell for a mere £8 and smells of fresh bread and tastes of bread and wild strawberry.It's also slightly pink.But that can't be helped.
G[/quote]
Well I have not tasted that particular one, but have tasted several New World sparklers and some have been very good, but others just as bad as poor Spanish sparkling. Still if you like it, that is what it's all about. I will make a point of trying it out soon.

The cost of every bottle of Champagne, worldwide, should be reduced by 50%. (before 'offers')

Only then will champagne reflect its true value and offer good QPR. Even then I would only buy occasionally, not a big fan of the fizzy stuff, but that’s down to personal taste.

I don’t deny that there are many delicious examples out there, I have tasted a few myself over the years. I just won’t pay the premium for having the word 'Champagne' on the label.

Then again, I don’t buy designer clothes, my mobile is a six year old pay-as-you-go (which I rarely switch on) and I don’t have a 42" Plasma nailed to my living room wall.

So maybe it’s just me.

Here's something to try, perhaps on guests over Christmas...

Empty one/two bottles of Asti Spumante* into a punch bowl or jug. Add the juice of one & half (or three if using two bottles) limes, freshly squeezed.

Stir and taste. Offer to guests but don’t tell them what it is. I think you'll be surprised at the response you get.




*You'll find some in the garage.