Talk-A-Vino

I like Champagne. I think this is a true statement.  However, I wouldn’t say that I love Champagne. What do I mean? Simply put, for my personal taste, there is not much going in Champagne glass. Wine (which I love), typically has a lot happening in the glass – fruits, tannins and acidity, long lasting finish, all changing in a glass as wine breathes, all changes in the bottle over the few days as it was opened. Champagne, once in the glass, can only lose its bubbles and freshness, but will not challenge your palate after a while.

Well, to be completely honest, there are Champagnes which I love. Until this New Year day, I was under impression that those were only vintage champagnes, which can become alive in the glass. This New Year day, we happened to open a bottle of G.H Mumm Carte Classique, which was laying at the bottom of the wine cabinet for about four years. We opened that bottle and … it was amazing! It had all the traits of the vintage champagne. Deep golden color, extensive aromas of yeast and fresh bread, full body – everything which I like in Champagne was there. The plan was to compare classic Mumm Champagne with Mumm California sparkling version, Mumm Napa Brut Prestige. Mumm Napa is very good… by itself, but it paled next to the aged G.H Mumm. I’m glad to start New Year with such a great discovery – and hope for many more.

Just I’m writing this, I realized – all the good things have their dark side. Now I need more cellar space and more time – to age my Champagnes appropriately…