Celebrations and Champagne!

So to be a bit cliche, I love a good champagne with a celebration. But not any champagne - for a while I've been nearly obsessed with finding various Rose Champagnes. One of my favorite that I've had is Chandon's Rose. And its not just because of its light taste and refreshing feeling but also the memories.

The first trip to Napa (while on Honeymoon) was at Chandon's restaurant. While I believe this picture is a Pinot Noir - our first clink of the glasses on our honeymoon was a Rose. It was one of those moments where I had the epiphany of what great wine tastes like. I was also pleasantly surprised at how good a Rose champagne was - I had grown up on the Zinfandel wines in a box. I know it sounds silly but it is the truth!

I just recently had another bottle, this time from a friend as a gift celebrating the birth of our baby. I'll admit that I had been hankering for a rose champagne nearly the entire time I was pregnant, even stating I would have a glass at the hospital right after the baby's delivery. While that wasn't quite the case, I truly enjoyed the bottle as it both recalled my first trip to Napa on Honeymoon and was a promise of things to come. And as an added bonus, the Chandon also sells for about $20 - $25 depending on the retailer, so while it is a bit on the more expensive side, it won't break the bank for those special, romantic occasions.

Also a favorite of ours is Schramsburg sparkling wines. Now while they are more difficult to find outside of California, you can usually find them on the East Coast in a Safeway Market. We often pick up a bottle (they retail for $25-$35 for their Blanc de Blanc) for special occasions for friends. They make a wonderful present for an engagement, a new baby or some other special occasion.  Just look for the little frog guy holding glasses on the label.  :)  

So yes while I would recommend any old brut for a mimosa or other cocktail, these are two wines that really stand on their own!