*pop* (champagne cork) Bring on which bubbly?

[serfty]

Having done extensive taste tests in the MEL/SYD Flounges over the last six weeks, I found the Verve Cliquot Ponsardin suits my tastes better.

The Devaux Blanc De Noirs is almost as nice, certainly both are better then the Moët & Chandon Brut Imperial.

But, hey, that's my tastes ...

 

[Keith009]

Having done extensive taste tests in the MEL/SYD Flounges over the last six weeks, I found the Verve Cliquot Ponsardin suits my tastes better.

The Devaux Blanc De Noirs is almost as nice, certainly both are better then the Moët & Chandon Brut Imperial.

But, hey, that's my tastes ...

Ooh wasn't aware there's Devaux Blanc De Noirs now, last time I was at MEL Flounge there was only Veuve and Moet. Personally: Devaux BDN> Veuve yellow > Moet NV.

Bolly Grand Annee '99 running out at BA T5 Flounge - i am not confident that it'd last till I get there. Though I also do quite like the Taittinger Grand Prelude. Never tried the new bubbly someone else mentioned that was brought in to replace the Bolly... but it's hard to beat the Bolly GA'99!

 

[Keith009]

Who said I was wasting my Platinum status? Also I did not say that I do not enjoy drinking champagne. I just can't tell the difference between the different labels. No great loss.

I'm sure Bundy Bear was only being tongue in cheek.

 

[sr81]

Ooh wasn't aware there's Devaux Blanc De Noirs now, last time I was at MEL Flounge there was only Veuve and Moet.

Will report back tomorrow from the MEL Flounge after some exhaustive research.

 

[JohnK]

I'm sure Bundy Bear was only being tongue in cheek.

Yes I know that. I will see Bundy Bear in CHC on the weekend and I may have to buy him a couple of champagnes to see if he can tell the difference.

 

[NYCguy]

I luv the bubbles.

Krug's Clos Du Mesnil is an all-chardonnay style that's as dry as a bone and quite simply magnificent. In the same über-dry, blanc de blanc vein is Champagne Salon, a mighty fine drop.

Also in the Krug stable, the Clos D'Ambonnay is the diametric opposite of the Mesnil, being a 100% Pinot Noir brew. It's simply the best champagne in the world.

Dom Perignon is a fantastic cuvée which is consistently excellent year after year after year. The Rosé is a fine brew too, but I would question if it's worth AU$650+ a bottle...

My fave Rosé is Veuve Clicquot Vintage Rosé, it's perfect for a hot Saturday afternoon.

 

[serfty]

... My fave Rosé is Veuve Clicquot Vintage Rosé, it's perfect for a hot Saturday afternoon.

IIRC, the MEL/SYD Flounges had a Verve Clicquot Rosé until the middle of this year - not sweet, not sour with subtle fine flavour. I was sad to see it go ..

 

[Keith009]

I luv the bubbles.

Me too, but alas am also a Poor Student and so the budget only lends itself to mostly <$80 bottles of champers for regular household grog. Spend a little more on the good stuff (max $200 though) as little treats 2 or 3 times a yr tops. Hence will happily indulge in most varieties of the golden nectar when offered gratis.

 

[anat0l]

Me too, but alas am also a Poor Student and so the budget only lends itself to mostly <$80 bottles of champers for regular household grog. Spend a little more on the good stuff (max $200 though) as little treats 2 or 3 times a yr tops. Hence will happily indulge in most varieties of the golden nectar when offered gratis.

[poor PhD student]We still do quite well in the frequent flying (high class flying?) and drinking department as poor students, don't we??!!! :mrgreen:[/poor PhD student]

But agreed on the gratis thing - free alcohol is free alcohol (and as an engineer you need to know that to graduate ). It's even harder to pass up when that bottle of alcohol starts to cost more than your airfare :mrgreen: (when a glass of the stuff seems to cost at least 2 or 3 or n times more than the last serving of glop you got in WHY).


[on topic /]

I kinda admitted it at the start, but I can't tell the difference between each of those champagnes. I certainly have not had the experience often enough. I think I collectively drank any of the above mentioned champagnes only twice in the last two years. Any other sparkling white wine is probably not worth writing home about (some good flavours, but not that crash hot - I'd rather stick to non-sparkling).

 

[thegurio]

Wheres WineTraveller? He'd be the one to answer teh question!

 

[vitaminp]

Hmm..my experiences with *bubbly* can be categorised according to my various levels of edumacation.

Poor High School Student - Passion Pop

Poor Undergrad Student - Yellow/Pink

Poor Postgrad Student - Anything on offer from hanging around with friends who actually work in law firms/investment banks! (Moet and Veuve mostly)

However, after a very rough past 3 weeks in WA I went and got a couple of bottles of Moet Grand Vintage 2000 - wrote a little note on em and plan on drinking in about 4 yrs time! (hopefully earlier).

 

[drron]

I feel a lot like Johnk.It is a waste of money buying vintage french champagne for me.A vintage port-now youre talking.A good Hunter shiraz,an old fashioned big Victorian red,Rutherglen Tokay or Muscat-much more likely to get my vote.

 

[Shano]

Me too, but alas am also a Poor Student and so the budget only lends itself to mostly <$80 bottles of champers for regular household grog. Spend a little more on the good stuff (max $200 though) as little treats 2 or 3 times a yr tops. Hence will happily indulge in most varieties of the golden nectar when offered gratis.

Most of my wine related purchases as an undergrad were $3 bottles of McWilliams Royal Reserve.....

 

[oz_mark]

Most of my wine related purchases as an undergrad were $3 bottles of McWilliams Royal Reserve.....

Orlando Coolabah is so much better......

 

[serfty]

Orlando Coolabah is so much better......

Lets' not forget Bodega - I purchased a case for $23.90 in 1980. It was for my Mum's 50th - it really fired the function up.

 

[Platy]

Poor Postgrad Student - Anything on offer from hanging around with friends who actually work in law firms/investment banks! (Moet and Veuve mostly)

My goodness, that's where I'm going wrong - I've got no friends in law firms/investment banks! :shock:

The only way I can justify drinking the good stuff on meagre scholarship funds is to ensure I retain Platinum every year and get into the Flounge and onto some F class redemptions!

Fortunately, the new "Ms Platy" is content with a Corona with a dash of lime and salt shock and a glass of the cleanskin sparkling shiraz. And one glass is enough for her.

 

[sr81]

I can confirm that Devaux Blanc Des Noirs is indeed served in the MEL FLounge.

It has quite a different taste than Veuve being a little sweeter with a wonderful honey theme at the start and finishing with a suggestion of fruit to bring you back for more. (OK, I now sound like a complete cough).

The important thing is that it goes will with breakfast!

Only discovered good bubbles in the last 5 years. Untill then my uni days were made up of Mercury Sweet. The cheapest and most rubbish cider in the world but only $20 per slab. In fact I drank anything, once I even had a crack at Everclear - grain alcohol from the US - when we spilt it turn brown carpet white!:shock:

EXTRA: The GF got in for a spa treatment with no wait when we got to the lounge about 9am. She is now one happy camper.

 

[Shano]

Lets' not forget Bodega - I purchased a case for $23.90 in 1980. It was for my Mum's 50th - it really fired the function up.

Fruity Lexia anyone....

 

[JohnK]

As promised I tried 3 champagnes in the F lounge yesterday. First was the Veuve Devaux then Moet and finally Veuve Clicquot. Could not tell much difference although the Veuve Devaux was little sweet. Based on yesterdays sample I would say Veuve Clicquot was a better choice.

I did buy some NZ$13-14 bottles of champagne at duty free yesterday and will sample those sometime in the next few days.

My original statement stands. I have no idea which champagne I am drinking unless someone showed me the label....

 

[Keith009]

Posting this from SYD Flounge.
Just had my 3 course meal, as well as copious drops of Devaux BDN, Yering Stn pinot, Veuve, and **1** glass of Moet - all in the name of research of course. Wil post tasting notes in the TR.

*orders another glass of Devaux*