CHAMPAGNE: BRANDS VS GROWERS

Is there anything more glamorous than Champagne? I mean, if there is
anything to celebrate in life, it must Champagne, right? From Hollywood
to Wall Street, from Golf, to Formula 1. And if you’re out partying in the big cities, of course you need bottle service at the clubs. But how much of Champagne is just marketing and how much is quality wine making? In today’s episode of Our Pour Decisions, we’re looking at both big brands and grower champagnes. What makes them different and how does it all affect your purchasing decisions?

Today we’ll be tasting four Champagnes. Two of the bottles are big brand Champagnes: Moet & Chandon’s Dom Perignon and Louis Roederer’s Cristal. These are some of the biggest brands associated with luxury lifestyles. The other two are “Grower Champagnes”. Goutorbe Special
Club Grand Cru and Pierre Moncuit Grand Cru. These are much smaller Champagne houses who grow their own grapes. And whereas the big brands each retail for around $300 each, the Grand Cru grower Champagnes can be had for about $100 or so.

2012 was a big year for Champagne production- we will be tasting the best of the best. And at the end of the video, Stacey will show us how to saber Champagne like a boss.


0:00 Introduction
02:56 Map
04:07 Welcome Stacey!
07:57 2012 Pierre Moncuit
10:40 2012 Dom Perignon
14:04 2012 Louis Roederer Cristal
16:04 2012 Goutorbe Special Club Grand Cru
20:07 Conclusions
23:50 Sabering Tutorial