A Whole Lotta Champagne

Not to put too fine a point on it, but I love champagne. The stories of the French families making this utterly unique wine, the effervescent moment of opening a new bottle, the romance associated with it make it something that I couldn't imagine living without. Even now!

No, now I'm just becoming a smarter champagne shopper, seeking out finely crafted wines made by small family grape growers and winemakers in the Champagne region. Discovering if you like a particular champagne house's style can be a bit of a challenge. But Le Grande Champagne tasting this Saturday Nov. 22 at The WineSellar & Brasserie offers a deliciously efficient way to sample a whole lotta champagne and sparkling wine in just one afternoon.

They'll be poppin' open some exclusive bottles including Bollinger La Grande Annee 1999 ; Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame 1999; and Nicolas Feuillatte Palmes d'Or 1998 that comes in an unusual black bottle rippled with round grooves. It so happens that Msr. Feuillatte was in love with an operatic diva who adored black pearls. He created the bottle as an homage to his love.

A few of the more boutiquey bubblies include the Henriot Brut Souverain
and Billecart Salmon Brut Rose, which is at the moment my favorite rose champagne on earth. It's a lusty and rich rose abundant with plum and earthy notes and quite up to the task of being paired with a juicy rib-eye or New York steak.
The $75 tasting, which includes bubbly-friendly snacks, runs from 2 to 4 p.m. or 4 to 6 p.m. at the WineSellar, 9550 Waples St. Suite 115 in Mira Mesa. For more information, call 858.450.9557.

For more updates from food and drink expert Maria Hunt on the latest and best when it comes to cocktails, wine and cuisine, visit thebubblygirl.com and sign up for her free quarterly newsletter The Bubbly Girl Chronicles.