Sunday, December 29, 2013

Gastronomista New Year's Guide: Champagne

As we finish up 2013, and get ready for 2014 I am craving champagne (and I'm sure you are too).  There's no better libation for celebration than champagne, and let's admit it, there's no better reason to celebrate than the New Year.  So break out the ice bucket, it's almost time to pop some bottles!



1.  Keep your champers chilly in a Vintage Pineapple Brass Ice Bucket - looks festive on your bar even when not in use.  $4,700

2.  Pop open a bottle of 2004 Perrier-Jouët Belle-Epoque Brut - and elegant champagne with flavors of candied lemon, white peach, juicy pear, light acidity, and a toasty finish.  $150  If you're not interested in a vintage, a wonderful selection is Perrier-Jouët Champagne Grand Brut, a dry champagne with flavors of honey, candied citrus, fresh pear, and a minerally finish.  $50 

3.  Another fantastic selection is Krug Brut Champagne Grande Cuvée - a blend of different vintages to capture the timeless style of the House of Krug.  Grand Cuvée is a complex champagne with flavors of baking sweet breads, coconut, candied citrus, with undertones of roasted coffee and toasted nuts.  $150

4.  Ring in the New Year with a pair of festive Kate Spade Pop Fizz Earrings $32

5.  Keep your treasures in style with the Kate Spade Champagne Coin Purse $68

6.  Double down on the bubbles with a pair of Effervescent Wanderluster Earrings $95

7.  Yes, you need a sword just for sabering champagne - Laguiole Champagne Saber $300

8.  In the rare occasion that there are bubbles left over, keep them in the bottle with a Gold Champagne Stopper $6

9.  Spoil yourself with Charbonnel et Walker Marc de Champagne Pink Chocolate Truffles $18

10.  Grown Up Gummies infused with Brut and Rosé Champagne $20

11.  If you're out and about this year, and looking for a extra special bottle to ring in the new year, spring for the Limited Edition Moet & Chandon Nectar Rosé Leopard Luxury Edition Methuselah (6L) bottle coated in 22-carat gold leaf etched with leopard spots.  Made in a limited edition of 60 bottles worldwide, this gorgeous bottle is sure to turn heads.  $6,200

12.  For those not interested in a gilded Methuselah, there's a 750 ml of Moet & Chandon Nectar Imperial Rosé NV with the same flavors of sweet rose, bright cherry, ginger, and honey.  $65

13.  Forget the flutes, serve champagne in sophisticated LSA Champagne Saucers - an elevated version of the classic coupe.  $99 for 4

14.  Hang festive Vintage Champagne Posters over one's bar $70 and up

15.  Save Water Drink Champagne Totes $22

16.  2004 Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame, a tête de cuvée made from a highly selected blend of 69% Pinot Noir and 31% Chardonnay that pays homage to Madame Cliquot.  The Grande Dame is a rich and creamy champagne with flavors of crisp grapefruit, brioche, nougat, vanilla and sweet apricot balanced with light chalkiness found in extraordinary champagnes.  $170

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