On Champagne: MW Tasting in SF & Besotted Drivel

This post serves two purposes. First, for me to opine on the best of the Champagnes I had at yesterday's Institute of Masters of Wine, North America Annual Champagne Tasting 2008 at the Ferry Bldg., in San Francisco, and second, to send everyone over to Peter Liem's amazing Champagne site, Besotted Ramblings and other Drivel, which right now has some of the best harvest photos of the great Champagne houses during this year's crush. Peter's one of my favorite writers at Wine & Spirits Magazine and this is his personal blog. He's also a self-proclaimed lucky bastard! --private tastings at Krug and poppin' the 2002 Cristal Rose at Roederer’s. To the right is a wordle of his site.

The MW tasting had about 75 different Champagnes and was divided up nicely in tables representing the different styles of wine. Extra Brut, Blanc de blancs, Vintage, etc. Below are my favorites and all should be considered a treat and recommended. Unfortunately, prices were not posted. Some I'm sure were affordable and some were way over $US 100.

Blanc de blancs

1. André Jacquart "Mesnil Experience" blanc de blancs NV- white truffle

2. Tattinger "Comtes de Champagne" blanc de blancs 1998

3. André Jacquart "Brut Experience" blanc de blancs NV

4. Perrier-Jouët "Fleur de Champagne" blanc de blancs 1999 - earthy like camembert bloom

5. Mumm "Mumm de Cramant" blanc de blancs NV - lots of forest floor/mushrooms/

6. Ruinart blanc de blancs NV

Non Vintage

1. Krug "Grand Cuvée" NV - lots of chocolate overtones, excellent (and went very fast!)

2. Bollinger "Special Cuvée" brut NV - very delicious with citrus overtones

3. Vilmart "Grand Cellier" brut NV - huge mousse on this one

4. Pol Roger Brut NV "Extra Cuvée de Reserve" NV

Vintage

1. Dom Ruinart Vintage 1996 - light and lovely

2. Piper-Heidsieck "Rare Vintage" 1999 - incredibly fresh tasting for being 9 years oldj, lots of acid

3. Dom Pérignon 2000 - like an incredibly light lemon moussse, delicious

4. Pol Roger Brut Vintage 1999 - yum!

5. Moët & Chandon "Grand Vintage" 2000 - lots of chocolate like the Krug (about $US 50 cheaper, too)

6. Pol Roger Brut Vintage 1999

7. Veuve Clicquot Vintage 2002

8. Ayala Milliésime 1999

Rosé

1. Dom Ruinart Rosé 1996

2. Pol Roger Brut Rosé 2000

3. Perrier-Jouët "Fleur de Champagne" Rosé 2002

Dosé

1. Moët & Chandon "Nectar Impérial NV - Sweet Champagne like they used to make a hundred years ago