Average Joe's Nose (TM)

Fun and Flavor!

December 2008

Champagne is bubbly, but not smart -- like Mariah Carey! And that's a good thing. It's made to be enjoyed, not studied. Under the French AOC rules, all Champagne is made from Chardonnay, and the red grapes Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir. All champagnes are made by blending various wines, sometimes from different vintages. The first five on the list are what you think of as typical: dry and white. The next two are sweet, and the last is a pink champagne. For more on what it means to be champagne, see Snobgoblet.

Thanks again to Morris Miller Wine & Liquor for providing most of the champagne, and we're sorry about the huge pile of corks in the parking lot.


Average Joe Says:

The Wine Guideline rating system is based on input from Average Janes and Joes. No fancy lingo, no calculus, no walking and touching your nose at the same time ... we just find out how you like it, and report!


Dry Whites


WINERY: Moet and Chandon

WINE NAME: White Star

GRAPE: Unknown

YEAR: No Vintage

REGION: Champagne, France

Average Joe Says: Wow!

Moet and Chandon White Star

Sugar content: extra dry (this is not as dry as Brut - see Snobgoblet for more info).

This is the best-selling champagne in the United States, and now we know why: it made us feel like we weren't wearing any pants. Now THAT'S impressive!

PRICE RANGE: $40-45
LOCATION: Morris Miller Wine & Liquor
ADDRESS: 7804 Alaska Ave. NW, Washington DC

Wine Guideline (TM)


WINERY: Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin

WINE NAME: None

GRAPE: Unknown

YEAR: No Vintage

REGION: Champagne, France

Average Joe Says: It's Very Good.

Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Brut

Sugar content: Brut.

Smooth tastes of vanilla, pear and honey. Perfect.

PRICE RANGE: $40-45
LOCATION: Morris Miller Wine & Liquor
ADDRESS: 7804 Alaska Ave. NW, Washington DC

Wine Guideline (TM)


WINERY: Domaine Chandon

WINE NAME: None

GRAPE: Unknown

YEAR: No Vintage

REGION: Napa, California

Average Joe Says: It's Very Good.

Domaine Chandon Brut Classic

Sugar content: Brut.

Head-to-head against its French big brothers, most people will pick the Moet or Veuve Clicquot. But at a New Year's party, you'll never notice. Great balance between price and quality. Help the economy and buy American!

PRICE RANGE: $15-20
LOCATION: Morris Miller Wine & Liquor
ADDRESS: 7804 Alaska Ave. NW, Washington DC

Wine Guideline (TM)


WINERY: Freixenet

WINE NAME: Cordon Negro

GRAPE: A blend of three white Spanish grape varieties: Macabeo (35%), Xarel-lo (25%) and Parellada (40%)

YEAR: No Vintage

REGION: Spain

Average Joe Says: It's Good.

Freixenet Cava Brut

Sugar content: Brut.

It had us fooled. It fits right in with the big boys, until you make a serious comparison. Then you notice it isn't as complex, balanced or flavorful -- but still a great value, and very drinkable. The smoked black bottle looks cool, too. Note: Spanish sparkling wines are called Cava.

PRICE RANGE: $10-15
LOCATION: Metro K Supermarket
ADDRESS: 1864 Columbia Road NW, Washington DC

Wine Guideline (TM)


WINERY: Cavit

WINE NAME: Lunetta

GRAPE: Prosecco

YEAR: No Vintage

REGION: Trentino, Italy

Average Joe Says: It's OK.

Lunetta Prosecco

Sugar content: Details not available. We rate it somewhere around extra dry.

We put this guy last among the dry whites for a reason. The taste and bubbles faded quickly, leaving us wondering what just happened. But prosecco is like pizza - there's no such thing as a BAD one! (Prosecco is an Italian category of sparkling wine. "Spumante" means sparkling, look for that as well.)

PRICE RANGE: $10-15
LOCATION: Metro K Supermarket
ADDRESS: 1864 Columbia Road NW, Washington DC

Wine Guideline (TM)

Sweet Blends


WINERY: Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin

WINE NAME: None

GRAPE: Mostly Pinot Noir, with Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier

YEAR: No Vintage

REGION: Champagne, France

Average Joe Says: It's Good.

Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Demi-Sec

Sugar content: Demi-sec.

The sweetness makes it more of a dessert wine, but we didn't have any dessert and drank it anyway.

PRICE RANGE: $55-60
LOCATION: Morris Miller Wine & Liquor
ADDRESS: 7804 Alaska Ave. NW, Washington DC

Wine Guideline (TM)


WINERY: Moet and Chandon

WINE NAME: Nectar Imperial

GRAPE: Usually 50-60% Pinot Noir; 20-30% Pinot Meunier; 10% Chardonnay; 10-20% reserve wines

YEAR: No Vintage

REGION: Champagne, France

Average Joe Says: It's Good.

Moet and Chandon nectar Imperial

Sugar content: N/A

Nectar of the Gods. Sweet, very tasty. If you like the sweet ones, you'll love it.

PRICE RANGE: $45-50
LOCATION: Morris Miller Wine & Liquor
ADDRESS: 7804 Alaska Ave. NW, Washington DC

Wine Guideline (TM)

PINKS


WINERY: Domaine Chandon

WINE NAME: Blanc de Noirs ("white of blacks")

GRAPE: Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier

YEAR: No Vintage

REGION: Carneros, Napa, California

Average Joe Says: It's Good.

Domaine Chandon Blanc de Noirs

Sugar content: N/A

The hint of salmon color is from the red grapes used, hence the name: white (wine) from black (grapes).

PRICE RANGE: $15-20
LOCATION: Morris Miller Wine & Liquor
ADDRESS: 7804 Alaska Ave. NW, Washington DC

Wine Guideline (TM)

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