Wine Tasting: Champagne

Yes, it's expensive. But is there anything quite like real champagne? I still like the basic Perrier-Jouët best as the basic $30 bottle, I still think Grande Dame is consistently fantastic, and I learned to appreciate extra brut as a great food wine. Favorites in bold. 

1. Perrier-Jouët "Grand Brut" Champagne ($35) - for many years, my "go to" basic champagne, always lovely, always balanced, much better than the Veuve Clicquot yellow label, or the Moet Imperial (and I like it better than the Piper Heidseck too). Just great.
2. 2002 Perrier-Jouët "Fleur de Champagne Belle Epoque" Brut Champagne ($99) - yes, if you buy their vintage "tete du cuvee" bottle, it is better, but it's expensive. I was surprised how dark the flavor profile is of this flower bottle -- some compared the flavors to scotch, with caramel and wood and toast in evidence. Very nice tho. 
3. Domaine Chandon Blanc de Noirs ($15) - ah, California, you're trapped trying to make good sparkling wine for less $$ than champagne. It's impossible. Which is why I prefer prosecco if I'm shopping under $20.
4. Ariston Aspasie "Carte Blanche" Brut Champagne ($25) - this small producer is a favorite at K&L wines, and it's easy to see why. Has much of what champagne is famous for, but at a very sensible price. I'd still spend a few extra dollars on the Perrier-Jouet, but this is very nice.
5. Ariston Aspasie "Brut Prestige" Champagne (1.5L) ($80) - the "prestige" bottle is actually all one year, so could be labeled vintage, and this magnum was all 1998, very tasty, a bargain if you need to fill a lot of glasses for a reasonable price.
6. Philippe Gonet "3210" Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne ($42) - learned to appreciate the special food friendly character of "zero dosage" champagnes (no sugar added at all in this case, the driest of the dry). Not as friendly all by itself, but really great with oysters.
7. 1998 Veuve Clicquot "La Grande Dame" Brut Champagne ($109) - this is always worth the money, and is my second favorite champagne after the NV Krug bottle (which costs more).
8. Bollinger "Special Cuvée" Brut Champagne ($60) - famously a "darker" tasting version,
9. Moet & Chandon "Imperial" Champagne ($35) - the best-selling champagne in the world, and I don't understand why. It's a bit too sweet, and with little charm. Sort of flings herself at you.
10. Louis Roederer "Carte Blanche" Extra Dry Champagne ($40) - also a sweeter bottle, but much more charming than the Moet, nice after dinner bubbly.