New Years Eve Libations

[Mannequin]

What do you toast with at midnight on New Years Eve? I have already purchased some Tosti Asti, my favorite standby, but I was interested in some other suggestions of good champagnes or sparkling wines to sample. Please, no Dom. We''re talking middle school teacher budget here.

 

[Kay]

I love Champagne! This New Year''s Eve we are toasting with Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve. Wine Enthusiast gave it 94 points and it is so yummy. It sells for $43 normally, but Bevmo frequently has it on sale for $30. http://www.bevmo.com/productinfo.asp?sku=00000002932&N=168+39+4294956428+17&Ne=309&Nr=Store%3A99%2C+Store%3A99%2C+Store%3A99%2C+Store%3A99%2C+Store%3A99%2C+Store%3A99%2C+Store%3A99%2C+Store%3A99%2C+Store%3A99%2C+Store%3A99%2C+Store%3A99%2C+Store%3A99%2C+Store%3A99&Nr=Store%3A99&area=wine&Ns=HighestRating%7C1

Another favorite is Nicolas Feuillatte Brut $27-36 It''s great with appetizers or dessert. http://www.bevmo.com/productinfo.asp?sku=00000031336&N=168+39+4294956428+17&Ne=309&Nr=Store%3A99%2C+Store%3A99%2C+Store%3A99%2C+Store%3A99%2C+Store%3A99%2C+Store%3A99%2C+Store%3A99%2C+Store%3A99%2C+Store%3A99%2C+Store%3A99%2C+Store%3A99%2C+Store%3A99%2C+Store%3A99&Nr=Store%3A99&area=wine&Ns=HighestRating%7C1

Here are a few others I really like at a lower price point:

Domaine Chandon Blanc de Noirs $12-17 It''s pink because it is made with Pinot Noir grapes, it tastes great with chocolate, and is usually a hit at parties. http://www.bevmo.com/productinfo.asp?sku=00000003616&N=168+39+4294956428+14&Ne=309&Nr=Store%3A99%2C+Store%3A99&Nr=Store%3A99&area=wine

Dom Ste Michelle Blanc de Blanc or Blanc de Noir $7-9 http://www.bevmo.com/productinfo.asp?sku=00000023820&No=20&N=168+39+4294956428+13&Nr=Store%3A99%2C+Store%3A99%2C+Store%3A99%2C+Store%3A99%2C+Store%3A99%2C+Store%3A99%2C+Store%3A99&Nr=Store%3A99&area=wine&Ns=Name%7C0

Il Conte D''Alba Moscato D''Asti $6-7 This is a lightly carbonated Moscato. It is sweet, but refreshing. It is our favorite hot tub wine.

 

[partgypsy]

Caveat, I am not a champagne snob. We usually get Roederer estate, or more recently prosceccos, which are not a champagne but a yummy sparkling wine (good in summer too). We got someone as a gift nicholas feulliante (sp?) and she enjoyed it. It''s fun to get chambord to flavor it!

If it''s not for toasting actually during this time of the year my favorite drinks ales with higher alcohol content and good stouts. Some brewers even put out special celebration ales during this time (though I don''t like the spice or pumpkin, etc flavored beers).

 

[CrookedRock]

Kay nailed my suggestions!

 

[Mannequin]

Thank you for the suggestions, everyone! I''ll be looking into them this weekend!

 

[ladypirate]

Oooh! Schramsberg Blanc de Blanc is my standby. So good! They carry it at BevMo, so you should be able to find it. It runs around $25. This year, though, I think we''ll be toasting with Goat Bubbles from Flying Goat Winery (around $30). Whatever you drink at midnight, have fun!

 

[ChargerGrrl]

All excellent bubbly suggestions!

Now, to add to that.... how about dropping a little extra something into your bubbly of choice?

I like adding creme de cassis for a kir royale, or a shot of raspberry vodka. Both are very yummy!

 

[Giada]

My favorite champagne is Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label. So wonderful and you can pick up a bottle around $40.

ETA: I recently had the pleasure of tasting Krug, which was phenomenal. A goodr friend of mine owns a wine bar here in Austin, so I get to try out some of the nicer wines and bubbly on a regular basis.

 

[Kay]

Date: 12/29/2007 5:30:52 PM
Author: ChargerGrrl
All excellent bubbly suggestions!

Now, to add to that.... how about dropping a little extra something into your bubbly of choice?

I like adding creme de cassis for a kir royale, or a shot of raspberry vodka. Both are very yummy!

I love kir royales! (I also really like non-sparkling kirs, but can''t find Aligote in San Diego.) I learned the hard way that you have to pay for the good imported Creme de Cassis or the kir royales will suck. When we were in Burgundy, we bought a bottle at a grocery store for 4 euros and made our own tasty kirs, so I was under the impression that even the cheap stuff was good enough for kirs. When we got home I went to BevMo and was shocked at the prices, so I bought the cheapest bottle ($10 for Potters bottled in CA) figuring it would be as good as the grocery store bottle in France. I was so wrong -- that stuff was nasty (the French cheap stuff is so much better than our cheap stuff). Now I pay $20-25 for Creme de Cassis imported from Burgundy (Dijon, Nuit St. George, Beaune). The bottle lasts for a while, and I economize by mixing it with the $7 Chateau Ste Michelle Blanc de Blanc -- yummy.

 

[diamondfan]

I love kir royale, I think it is my favorite festive drink. I like red wine typically, or champagne, but for some reason kir royale is a bit more special. I drink the occasional cosmo or mojito but not in the winter really. I also love apple cider for a non alcoholic drink.

 

[diamondfan]

PS we toast with our kids and they get sparkling cider which is also nice, but now I do find it a bit sugary.

Bellinis and mimosas are also nice, a bit brunch like but nice.

 

[ChargerGrrl]

Date: 12/30/2007 3:34:27 AM
Author: Kay

Date: 12/29/2007 5:30:52 PM
Author: ChargerGrrl
All excellent bubbly suggestions!

Now, to add to that.... how about dropping a little extra something into your bubbly of choice?

I like adding creme de cassis for a kir royale, or a shot of raspberry vodka. Both are very yummy!

I love kir royales! (I also really like non-sparkling kirs, but can''t find Aligote in San Diego.) I learned the hard way that you have to pay for the good imported Creme de Cassis or the kir royales will suck. When we were in Burgundy, we bought a bottle at a grocery store for 4 euros and made our own tasty kirs, so I was under the impression that even the cheap stuff was good enough for kirs. When we got home I went to BevMo and was shocked at the prices, so I bought the cheapest bottle ($10 for Potters bottled in CA) figuring it would be as good as the grocery store bottle in France. I was so wrong -- that stuff was nasty (the French cheap stuff is so much better than our cheap stuff). Now I pay $20-25 for Creme de Cassis imported from Burgundy (Dijon, Nuit St. George, Beaune). The bottle lasts for a while, and I economize by mixing it with the $7 Chateau Ste Michelle Blanc de Blanc -- yummy.

Kay- DH and I visited Burgundy this September, and were introduced to Kirs! I''d had Kir Royales before, so I really dug the Kirs.

Unfortunately, we didn''t have the hindsight to buy an "authentic" bottle of Creme de Cassis while there. I too went to BevMo and wasn''t thrilled with their selection. Thank goodness that I was able to find the real deal AND a bottle of Aligote at K&L here in L.A. They were so helpful with pointing me in the right direction of a good Creme de Cassis (Pierre-Marie Chermette, Domaine du Vissoux). I think they ship- check it out: http://www.klwines.com/

sorry for the threadjack, Equ!

 

[Kay]

Date: 12/30/2007 1:10:39 PM
Author: ChargerGrrl

Date: 12/30/2007 3:34:27 AM
Author: Kay

Date: 12/29/2007 5:30:52 PM
Author: ChargerGrrl
All excellent bubbly suggestions!

Now, to add to that.... how about dropping a little extra something into your bubbly of choice?

I like adding creme de cassis for a kir royale, or a shot of raspberry vodka. Both are very yummy!

I love kir royales! (I also really like non-sparkling kirs, but can''t find Aligote in San Diego.) I learned the hard way that you have to pay for the good imported Creme de Cassis or the kir royales will suck. When we were in Burgundy, we bought a bottle at a grocery store for 4 euros and made our own tasty kirs, so I was under the impression that even the cheap stuff was good enough for kirs. When we got home I went to BevMo and was shocked at the prices, so I bought the cheapest bottle ($10 for Potters bottled in CA) figuring it would be as good as the grocery store bottle in France. I was so wrong -- that stuff was nasty (the French cheap stuff is so much better than our cheap stuff). Now I pay $20-25 for Creme de Cassis imported from Burgundy (Dijon, Nuit St. George, Beaune). The bottle lasts for a while, and I economize by mixing it with the $7 Chateau Ste Michelle Blanc de Blanc -- yummy.

Kay- DH and I visited Burgundy this September, and were introduced to Kirs! I''d had Kir Royales before, so I really dug the Kirs.

Unfortunately, we didn''t have the hindsight to buy an ''authentic'' bottle of Creme de Cassis while there. I too went to BevMo and wasn''t thrilled with their selection. Thank goodness that I was able to find the real deal AND a bottle of Aligote at K&L here in L.A. They were so helpful with pointing me in the right direction of a good Creme de Cassis (Pierre-Marie Chermette, Domaine du Vissoux). I think they ship- check it out: http://www.klwines.com/

sorry for the threadjack, Equ!

ChargerGrrl -- We spent 8 days in Burgundy in May -- it is such a beautiful area and the food and wine were amazing (DH and I still speak with longing of the Poulet aux Epices at Ma Cuisine in Beaune). One of my friends here had recommended I try K&L in LA, so I have been perusing their website. They have Aligotes that range from $10-20. Which Aligote did you choose and how do you like it? I''m think of driving up to LA in January (either with DH or maybe for the GTG), so I will have to find my way over to Hollywood to stock up on some Aligote and Creme de Cassis (thank for the brand rec) at K&L. I am longing for a good Kir.

Sorry for continuing the threadjack, Equ. I hope you find a great bubbly for NYE.

 

[BigDiamonds]

This is super-lowbrow, but we love Cristalino Brut. It''s like a knock-off of Cristal that sells for under $10. We used to buy it for mimosas, and then we got desperate one night and cracked into one for casual sipping, and darn if it wasn''t pretty good!