It’s our tenth wedding anniversary in two weeks and Mrs GK is expecting to see something decent on ice when she gets home. As you may know I'm not a fan of overpriced fizzy wine but I will succumb to tradition and dig deep for an amazing woman who has managed to put up with me for so long.

Budget £50 max, any recommendations? Needs to be at its best now.

_________________
Yep, Im still here.

GK,

Hi, also not a big fizz drinker but the boss loves the stuff.
I have always found champagne needs at least 2 years cellaring to develop.

Bottles I have bought off the shelve have usually been a let down.

As its a special day I would try and find a vintage bottle via your local merchant or via google.

Francis Boulard`s are rather good.

http://www.winebear.com/BottleDetail.aspx?&id=13755

Regards
Richard

_________________
He who knows all the answers has not been asked all the questions.

congrates for making it 10 years GK (and Mrs GK). I'm celebrating the same in August this year

I dont get the fizz hype myself either but the ladies seem to love it ...or at least the idea of it (perhaps its the lower calorific content that swings it for them)

Like Richard suggests, probably best to have a go at a vintage fizz although I can't recommend any from personal preference I'm afraid.
Sadly 2003 was very cold and then extremely hot so didn't make for producing vintage champers. However Dom P managed to release a 2003 vintage but were one of the few houses to do so.
It's double your budget however but would make for a nice gesture and keepsake for your milestone anniversary...


within your budget there's a vintage Veuve Clicq available at Majestic and some Sainsburys stores ~£40 that I'd imagine should be nice.
Taittinger 2005 is available at Majestic and received a decanter gold and IWC silver
There's also the option to go for the supermarket's own vintage fizz. I think Waitrose, Tesco & Sainsburys all are well reviewed

some NV options I'd look into (not based on experience):
Taittinger Prelude Grand Crus @ Maj
Perrier-Jouet Grand Brut @ Maj/Waitrose (currently £10 off at Maj)
Louis Roederer Brut Premier NV @ WR
Pol Roger

happy hunting

...not a rec exactly, wouldn't want the wrath of Mrs GK...just a link

http://www.thechampagnecompany.com/shop/type/champagne-37

_________________
Four wheels move the body - 2 wheels move the soul.

Hi GK,

Congratulations go to Mrs GK for putting up with you ! And having your wondeful children.

My dear Misses has to suffer, and we've done more that 4 decades. Good listening helps, if you can make bread like Paul Hollywood, ya Misses will be loving you forever

Addressing the matter in hand.

Shezza's on the right track. I do get the fizz buzz - the difference in them is astonishng between the also ran and the very lovely.

Perrier-Jouet will do nothing for you, except reinforce your opinion.

Taittinger 2005 could actually turn your head, a much fuller style, lovely stuff with a baked biscuit note as well. Less dry with a beautiful flavour.

Pol Roger NV is great as well, also fuller and with a toasty biscuit, not so damn brut'ish either. Very good

Veuve Cliquot NV Ponsardin (spelling) was again slightly disappointing last time. It does not seem to be back on form ? But good with Oysters ....apparently. I'd rather have a jolly good Muscadet de sèvre-et-maine sur lie with my freshly sqeezed lemon soaked oysters !

There is one that I TN'd after New Year 2011, I'll try and find it.

_________________
Duncan

This one: Taittinger "Les Folies de la Marquetterie" Dinner champagne, brioche, peach & apricot and other tropical notes; perfect for a dinner for two grown-up love birds. You'll need to get the baby sitters / Mum and Dad in.

I have no idea whether you can find just the one bottle within the budget - About £45. I know at Christmas that you can find it for about £35 where a merchant has bought some volume.

I think we need to know whether Mrs GK wants a Wedding champagne (Taittinger Prelude Grand cru, aged for 5 yars before release) as an appero or a Dinner champagne.

You've set-us a difficult one, I hope Mel comes in on this post with her choice, from a woman's perspective on such an evening.

_________________
Duncan

Thanks for the feedback fellas, all good value. I note Shezzas comments on the '03 vintage, I did a bit of research and came to the conclusion my options were very limited in this area.

I've narrowed my search down to the following.-

Etienne Dumont Brut NV at Sainsbury’s, I like the idea of a fresh, citrus driven wine that develops in the glass, nothing too heavy or yeasty. Bolly and Tattinger are richer, fuller wines and perhaps best left for the lovers of Champs.

The Louis Roederer Brut Premier NV at Waitrose / Maj is highly rated, 'crisp', 'fresh' and 'citrus' keeps popping up in reviews, this appeals to me. (Shezza noted).

I also plan to pop into my local indy and see what they recommend, will update.

_________________
Yep, Im still here.

Do let us know you you decide on.
Personally I prefer a fuller, biscuitier fizz than citrus/granny smith

I've been saving a bottle of 98 Dom P for the big 1-0 that I was lucky enough to be given as a gift a good many years back (hopefully I've stored it well enough to keep it in good enough knick)
Having booked our summer holiday however we'll be away for the date of our anniversary so I'll have to have a pre or post holiday anniversary dinner at home or use another occasion to crack it open

GK, Dont buy a NV off the shelve it will disappoint you having not had chance to develop. I never drink Champs unless its been in my cellar for at least 18 months.

_________________
He who knows all the answers has not been asked all the questions.

Champagne schampagne

Marque Vue her

_________________
Viognier Reviews - my blog that does what it says in the title.
http://viognier.posterous.com

...or you could 'Buy British' and go for a Nyetimber.

_________________
Four wheels move the body - 2 wheels move the soul.

Was about to suggest Nyetimber too
http://www.majestic.co.uk/find/keyword- ... t-is-23260

Had a couple of these - just perfectly aged and on special now.

_________________
Viognier Reviews - my blog that does what it says in the title.
http://viognier.posterous.com

That McWilliams fizz looks stunning, where can I get some of those glasses?

I've found something I like the look of, my local Indy stocks this but doesnt have a great deal on their website about it, link to another site-
http://www.oldbridgewine.co.uk/product.php?shopvarid=14

Le Mesnil also make Berry B&R's own lable Champs.

Producer.

There is an '04 vintage available for only a few quid more.

_________________
Yep, Im still here.

Le Mesnil.
Brilliant example of the crisp, light, lively style. Not for lovers of big, yeasty Champagne, but a perfect aperitif

Yes, that is the style you favour, 100% chardonnay, on excellent terroire for that style. A Wedding champagne that sounds lovely. Choosing the 2004 (4 star Decanter vintage year) This vintage is right for you, and for the more racy style you want. So I would pay the extra few quid to make the difference.

For the fuller styles, Shez and I should pick vintages 2002 and 2005.

That McWilliams fizz looks stunning, No. (I was way out of time with your dry humour)

Pink foil is so disgustingly trendy. A rather inelegant Bubble gum colour - looks completely naff

GK - please, for champagne folks here, TN this Le Mesnil after your celebration - cheers

Enjoy the Bank Holday

_________________
Duncan