My final visit of the Champagne trip was also one of the grandest, a visit to Champagne Salon. They make one wine and one wine only, a vintage Brut Blanc de Blancs made entirely of Le Mesnil Chardonnay. For a Champagne house of such stature, it was a bit startling to see how little wine there is in the cellar. MORE >>

Champagne Lunch at the Wine Media Guild. Curious about some favorite Champagnes? Speaking at the event - an annual event - was Ed McCarthy, author of Champagne for Dummies. It is 100% Grand Cru Chardonnay. If you like delicate wines the ones listed below may not be your cup of, er, tea. Many people in the U.S. MORE >>

I want to tell you about what I think is one of the best wine values in Champagne, a wine made by René Geoffroy. For simplicity’s sake, Geoffroy usually says that the Empreinte is a blend of 75 percent pinot noir and 25 percent chardonnay, all fermented in large oak foudres, but in fact this changes considerably from one year to the next. MORE >>

To me, a truly great Champagne. NV Jacques Selosse Champagne VO , about $165, Imported by the Rare Wine Company. 1999, 2000) Ta rlant Champagne La Vigne d'Antan Extra Brut Non-Grefée Chardonnay, $65, $60, 1999 imported by JD Headrick Selections, 2000 Imported by Jandell Selections. loved this rosé. Well, yes and no. MORE >>

Cédric Bouchard is one of the leaders of the new wave in Champagne. He comes from a Champagne family - his father is an old school grower, but Cédric does things differently. He wants to make wine, and he happens to be doing this in Champagne. Let me first say that it is not a joke, what they say about Champagne out of magnum. MORE >>