OH OH OH!
Festive bubbly that won’t break the bank
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PENINSULA VILLAGE 240, 15355 - 24TH AVENUE 604.531.6777 www.bernardcallebaut.com
36 NOVEMBER 2011 INDULGE
here is a charming bit of anonymous verse that comes to mind whenever I consider the price of Champagne: Here’s to champagne the drink divine That makes us forget our troubles; It’s made of a dollar’s worth of wine And three dollars’ worth of bubbles. That came to mind when I spied that the Liquor Distribution Branch is selling a bottle of Champagne for $4,205.80: Krug Clos d’Ambonnay 1995. This is a new Champagne, released in 2008 by Krug and made with Pinot Noir grown in a tiny vineyard twothirds of a hectare in size. Only 250 cases were produced in that first vintage. There are only four bottles currently in the LDB – three in its signature store at 39th and Cambie JOHN and one in, Schreiner where else? The Park Royal Store in West Vancouver. Now before you fire up your Ferrari to go and pick up a bottle, let’s consider the alternatives if this is a touch pricey for you. Krug is my favourite house even if I can’t afford the Champagne anymore. The entry level wine from this house is Grand Cuvee and it costs $255. What do we drink on festive occasions until we win the lottery? The budget Champagne in this market is Baron Fuenté Cuvée Tradition Brut at $41.84 a bottle. There are 75 bottles of this in the LDB. One could move up to Taittinger Brut Reserve ($64.99) or Pol Roger Cuvée Brut Reserve ($62.99). I will take a flier on Baron Fuenté, which I intend to taste during these holidays, because the quality standards of winemaking in Champagne are reliable. I think this wine is priced where it is because the house is not as well known as its competitors. The brand was launched in 1967 after