Champagne

I like Schramsberg too, and have done well with california and even oregon "sparkling wines" done with the champagne method.
I remember drinking Gloria Ferrar, oh and so many others... You are sending me down memory lane to the days when a typical sunday was whiled away with champagne and popovers - the days before kids!

By the way, the poster who said that it is wine to which carbon dioxide has been added is not correct. I believe that is soda. They do some different kind of yeast and fermenting to create the bubbles.

But she is correct that only sparkling wine produced in the Champagne region of France (and generally with champagne grapes) can properly be called champagne. All others are "just" sparkling wine. But unless you are a French marketing rep, you probably don't care, you just want something that tastes good. You live in California, so you should have lots of inexpensive choices that are wonderful.

Go to your local liquor or wine store. Champagne is a type of wine, it's sparking wine. Ask a knowledgeable employee. Tell them what your budget is and ask for a recommendation.

"Vueve du Vernay"

Its a French champagne

It is fruity and light

Not expensive.

I really do not like Korbel.

Cristalino is a really good really inexpensive bottle of "champagne" (sparkling wine). We used it for our wedding. Our wedding reception was at a wine bar and it was highly recommended to us. I love Veuve Clicqout and it's what I buy when I want to splurge a little, but otherwise, Cristalino is really good. It is made in the champenoise method.

Best,
S.

Sommelier time!!!

Champagne and Sparkling Wine is very nearly as varied as 'flat' wine. Incrediable variation in flavors, bubble size, crispness/roundness, etc. I've regularly drunk very expensive champagne and sparkling wines, and while an $11 bottle isn't going to be the same as a $400 bottle, there are some VERY good $11-20 bottles. Surprisingly good. Better than many $50 bottles.

I really hit up our sommelier when I'm shopping, because even though I know my "basics" ; pink (aka pinot noir), creamy (very small bubbles), brut, etc... and can easily grab a bottle for myself, I usually need to jump labels to pick up a non-pink bottle for others. And, as always, some years are better than others. Champagne and sparkling wines are very "young" wines by and large, if it's been longer than 6mo, I check with the sommelier for what's best for my tastes. About half the time I get directed to a label I haven't had before, or am told to steer away from the label that was last year's favorite.

I love anything by Schramsberg. It's a lovely winery in Calistoga (Napa Valley).

Korbel. It's inexpensive and tastes pretty good. This is what I buy whenever DH and I want to celebrate.

Go to a high-end wine shop and ask! Most have a somelier (sp?) on staff who will help you work within your budget and taste! We have a really nice wine shop near our house with bottles ranging from $8 right on up to $500 (need an appointment to see/taste those), but they help everyone, no matter what the budget. When we are giving a bottle or having a dinner party, I go in with my parameters and walk out with exactly what I need!

I'm a huge fan of Proseco (Italian sparkling wine). Really tasty and refreshing.

LOL I was going to say Bollinger (it's my favourite), until I read INexpensive! My standard French champagne is Grandin. Almost as good as Moet, which is almost as good as Bollinger. Grandin isn't very expensive either. I drink champagne most days.

What is your budget and do you like it sweet or dry (Brut)?

Go to a liquor store and ask the clerk. They'll have a pretty good idea of what's what.

I like Frexinet. Korbel and Christian Brothers are good too.

BTW champagne is wine into which carbon dioxide has been added to make it bubbly. It's called champagne because of the area in which the grapes are grown. There are many good wines that bubble that are not labeled champagne. I can't remember the correct terminology. sigh

I think Shari P. is right. It's not carbon dioxide that causes the bubbles.

And it's sparkling wine that I was describing.

Asti? Haha, dont throw rocks at me! I would buy a good bottle. LOVE champagne!