Champagne

Champagne is sparkling wine. Many people use the term Champagne as a generic term for sparkling wine but in some countries, it is illegal to label any product Champagne unless it both comes from the Champagne region and is produced under the rules of the appellation. Primarily, the grapes Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay are used in the production of almost all Champagne, but a tiny amount of pinot blanc, pinot gris, arbane, and petit meslier are vinified as well.

TJ’s $9.99 Fun-Size Legit Champagne Will Have you “Drinking Stars” – or Maybe Just Seeing Them!

Glass and bottle of Ernest Rapeneau Champagne Brut ($9.99@Trader Joe's, California) alongside a 750ml standard bottle of Dom Perignon for perspective.

NV Ernest Rapeneau Champagne Brut, Epernay, France ($9.99@Trader Joe’s, California)   We celebrated the solstice yesterday by popping the cap on this bottle. We are in the home stretch of 2022 people, and this bottle (or bottles!) would be good to have in your fridge for several reasons. If you’re like us, there are holiday … Read moreTJ’s $9.99 Fun-Size Legit Champagne Will Have you “Drinking Stars” – or Maybe Just Seeing Them!

Bargain Champagne?!

Front label of the Kirkland Signature Champagne Brut.

Fast facts: NV Kirkland Signature Champagne Brut ($19.99@Costco, California – Item #942108)   This is our second wine in our December series on sparkling wines. This particular wine also has the distinction of being the very first one reviewed on this site, back in 2018.  A lot has changed in the world since then, but … Read moreBargain Champagne?!

Making Mimosas without Champagne?

A holiday morning Mimosa kit, Mumm sparkling wine, a carafe of OJ and orange for a garnish.

Fast facts: NV Mumm Napa, Brut Rosé , Napa, California ($14.99 @ Costco, California – Item #438577)   Well, here we are.  Down to the final seven days of 2021. What a long, strange trip it’s been. Regardless, ’tis the season for celebration, hence the need to keep lots of bubbly on hand.  Whether it’s … Read moreMaking Mimosas without Champagne?

A TJ’s Prosecco Rosé Find and an Easy Recipe for a Fancy Aperol Spritz

Prosecco+Aperol+Seltzer+tangerine garnish=Aperol Spritz or, summer in a glass!

Fast facts: 2020 Cecilia Beretta Prosecco Rosé ($9.99 @Trader Joe’s, California)   Prosecco is a deliciously dry sparkling wine with crisp acidity, low sugar and plenty of fruit character – all at a fraction of the cost of traditional Champagne.  Traditionally produced in Veneto in North Eastern Italy, it is fermented almost exclusively from the … Read moreA TJ’s Prosecco Rosé Find and an Easy Recipe for a Fancy Aperol Spritz

Your Holiday Mimosa Kit from Trader Joe’s – Everything you Need for Under $10

Front label of M. Chevallier Brut Cava from Trader Joe's

Fast facts: M. Chevallier Brut Cava, Spain ($5.99 @Trader Joe’s,  California) Trader Joe’s Organic Cold Pressed Orange Juice ($1.99, California)   We’ll keep this short, since you’re undoubtedly busy even in the build up to this quieter and smaller Christmas holiday season.  But maybe you have discovered that being forced to shrink your holiday “footprint” brings … Read moreYour Holiday Mimosa Kit from Trader Joe’s – Everything you Need for Under $10

Three Options for High QPR Holiday Bubbly from TJs and Costco

NV Trader Joe's Reserve Brut Rose´ North Coast, California

Fast Facts: Trader Joe’s Reserve Brut Rose´ North Coast, California ($9.99@Trader Joe’s, California) Kirkland Champagne Brut Champagne, France ($19.99 @Costco, California) Kirkland Signature Asolo Prosecco Superiore NV, Veneto, Italy ($6.99 @Costco, California)   We’re publishing early this holiday week, so as to get this “in your hands” before you head out for any last minute … Read moreThree Options for High QPR Holiday Bubbly from TJs and Costco

3 Fast Friday Picks from Costco – just $12.99 each

Three wine bottles.

So much wine, so little time.  We’re getting backed up a bit here on great wine finds so here’s a Fast Friday update for three wines to look for at Costco this weekend. Each one is yours for $12.99 and each is a really, really good value. Fast facts: 2015 Gloria Ferrer Estate Carneros Pinot … Read more3 Fast Friday Picks from Costco – just $12.99 each

Ring in the New Year, Without Breaking the Bank!

NV Kirkland Champagne Brut

Fast facts: NV Trader Joe’s Reserve Brut Rose´ North Coast, California  ($9.99 @Trader Joe’s; California) NV Kirkland Champagne Brut ($19.99 @Costco, California) If you still need some bubbles to toast the passage of 2018 and celebrate the arrival of 2019, we – and Trader Joe’s and Costco – have you covered. Here are two sparkling … Read moreRing in the New Year, Without Breaking the Bank!

Bargain French Champagne – no longer an oxymoron!

NV Kirkland Champagne Brut

Fast facts: NV Kirkland Champagne Brut ($19.99 @Costco, California) Let me start by alerting you to the fact that the $19.99 price tag above is not a typo.  While this blog is devoted – almost exclusively – to wine finds under $10, we couldn’t resist taking this $19.99 French champagne out for a test drive.  … Read moreBargain French Champagne – no longer an oxymoron!