I found out that today is Global Champagne Day. After a bit of reading, I see that this is a pretty serious thing for a lot of "bubble connoisseurs" around the world. I think i'm going to begin to follow in their footsteps.
For a lot of the early part of my life, i tended to focus on things that always led my thoughts into becoming darker. I stampeded around like a lot of other people I see these days, sort of pissed at the situation they were in. Always gloomy, full of anger and only able to see negative things about the people they work with or the people that they interact with on a daily basis. Over the years I subconsciously surrounded myself with people who constantly made me see the err in that type of behavior. These family members, friends & business associates always seemed to see life as fleeting and they take every moment to enjoy exactly where they are. They live buzzing in the moment and are able to see the virtue in every setting. When i'm encompassed by these people, they have the ability to change my behavior immediately just in the same manner as a glass of good bubbles!
For those of you not surrounded by people who can have that kind of positive impact, Sour Grapes recommends these to aid in lifting your mood. These are great Champagnes for Global Champagne Day and for this Holiday Season:
R. Dumont Brut Tradition NV
An excellent blend from the southern part of Champagne (Aube) where this estate produces primarily Pinot Noir dominated Sparkling with Extreme Freshness. 80% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay grown in the Champignol lez Mondeville area where these two brothers practice lutte raisonnée and make phenomenally pure Champagne. The soil is primarily Kimmeridgian soil, adding fruitier notes and Portlandian soil in smaller quantities in higher elevation that adds the mineral vein to this blend. One of the best values in Champagne in the market. This area is focused on farming and here are some other great producers to seek out:
José Michel Brut Pinot Meunier NV
100% Pinot Meunier from Moussy, just south of Épernay where this estate is famous for it's reputation and quality. This fruit is from the 2005 vintage, even though it is labelled NV. The soil in the higher elevations is mostly clay and are planted predominately with this Pinot Meunier. Most Pinot Meunier ends up as non-vintage or "standard champagne" blends. The José Michel family consistently showcases the grape's floral tones, natural fruitiness and does it while employing good acidity & age-ability over the entire range of their wines. It is worth noting that Krug is another estate who uses a higher proportion (some say 15%, others say up to 30%) of Pinot Meunier in their wines and these wines will offer exceptional flavor first, then value and quality.
Thierry Triolet Les Vieilles Vignes Brut 2005
In Béthon, this is a vintage Champagne only produced in the best years. This is in the Cote de Sézanne region, but really this area is an extension of the larger Cotes de Blancs which has always been a great place for larger houses to source the highest quality Chardonnay for their wines. This is a single parcel wine with vine age averaging 45-50 plus years. Triolet's vineyards are mostly planted to Chardonnay and the wines have a high level of acidity. This wine will evolve beautifully in the cellar.