Salon 1997

Holiday Shopping Guide: 13 Great Luxe Champagnes

Filed under: Wine

Festive and bright, who can deny bubblies at this time of year? But for 2010, don't think just New Year's Eve, think Twelve Days of Christmas, and you can toast each of the twelve days with the true Breakfast of Champions: Champagne.

The following Vintage Champagnes cannot be beat; some have pedigree that you'll have heard of before; some will be new to you, and that's part of their appeal, and some will be pink. Each will be a perfect companion for daily holiday breakfast or brunch.

Here, then is a list of favorites in order of price-certainly not in order of quality.

Henriot Cuvée des Enchanteleurs 1996

Some say this is the freshest of Champagnes; that just might be true. Its aromas are fresh fruit, with a touch of caramel and spice ($125).

Billecart-Salmon 1990 Grande Cuvée.

Its tight, slowly rising bubbles brings out this wine's toast and red fruit aromas, followed in the taste by full-bodied power and a lengthy finish ($125).

Tags: champagne, Dom Perignon, Dom Ruinart, G.H. Mumm, krug champagne, Perrier-Jouet Fleur de Champagne, Salon 1997, Taittinger