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Opting for cheaper holiday bubbly
By Amanda Cuda
Staff writer
Updated: 12/31/2008 12:21:36 AM EST
As the clock strikes 12 tonight, heralding the start of 2009, many in the region will mark the occasion by downing a glass of champagne.
But, according to staff at local liquor stores, the bubbly being swilled throughout Fairfield and New Haven counties tonight is probably a little less fancy than usual.
William Miller, director of fine wines at Harry's Wine and Liquor in Fairfield, said the store has had a steady stream of customers lately, despite the ongoing financial crisis. He said that's probably because many people are opting to entertain at home, as opposed to paying big bucks at a restaurant.
Miller has also noticed many people have been picking up bottles of champagne so they can toast the New Year with a glass of the fizzy stuff. More customers than usual, though, are leaving the more expensive brands of bubbly on the shelf, opting to celebrate with less extravagant varieties.
"People are still drinking, but they're a little more price-conscious than normal," Miller said.
Though some do spring for pricey
French champagnes, like Dom Perignon (which Harry's sells for roughly $130 a bottle), Miller said many are opting for mid-range beverages, such as Prosecco, the Italian version of champagne, and an array of California sparkling wines. These choices typically range from $10 to $25.
Other stores also report that the region's New Year's revelers plan to be both festive and frugal this holiday season.
Charlie
Letezeio, owner of Pond Point Wine and Spirits in Milford, said, although sales have been "pretty steady" this year, "the higher-end stuff isn't moving out as quickly as it used to."
Like Miller, Letezeio said Prosecco is a popular choice for those wishing to save some
pennies, as are well known (and well priced) bubblies like Asti Spumante and Korbel.
Vipul Gandhi, manager at the Stratford Spirit Shop, said he's also seen many customers opting for champagne with lower price tags. "People are more conservative, due to the economy," he said.
This phenomenon isn't limited to champagne. All the vendors interviewed for this story said customers seem to be selecting more affordable strains of all alcohol products, including wine.
Ed Tammany, manager at Cork & Keg in Shelton, said, at his store at least, this has resulted in an odd phenomenon. "The sales are lower, but the volume of people is up," he said.
Tammany said sales at the store are down roughly 20 percent from last year, despite a regular flow of customers. That's because -- you guessed it -- people are buying cheaper products. Those who used to buy a bottle of wine for $25 now opt for those in the $10 to $15 range, he said.
The good news for consumers, Miller said, is that decent wines are available at all price ranges, making alcohol one of the few areas where you can cut costs without sacrificing a lot of quality.
"You can spend $10 and get a good wine and you can spend $100 and get a good wine," he said.
Raise a glass Looking for a good value on champagne (or Italian Prosecco or California sparkling wine)? Below are some of the best values in the region, recommended by area wine sellers. n Cristalino Brut Cava, from Spain, recommended by Ed Tammany at Cork & Keg in Shelton, which sells it for $8.99. n Tammany and Charlie Letezeio, of Pond Point Wine and Spirits in Milford, both recommended the popular brand name bubbly Korbel, usually available for less than $15. n The California sparkling wine Roederer Estate Brut, about $20, was suggested by Tammany and William Miller at Harry's Wine and Liquor in Fairfield. n Many vendors also recommend at least one variety of Italian Prosecco. Miller likes Varaschin Prosecco Extra Dry, which Harry's sells for $15.
Letezeio, meanwhile, suggests Rotari Prosecco, which Pond Point sells for $12.99, and Villa Jolanda Prosecco, sold for $10.99 at Pond Point.
I'll drink to that Notable quotes on the bubbly: "Champagne! In victory one deserves it; in defeat one needs it." Napoleon Bonaparte "Too much of anything is bad, but too much champagne is just right." Mark Twain "Champagne, if you are seeking the truth, is better than a lie detector..." Graham Greene, British writer "Champagne is the only wine that enhances a woman's beauty." Madame Pompadour, mistress of King Louis XV "My only regret in life is that I did not drink more champagne." John Maynard Keynes, American writer "There comes a time in every woman's life when the only thing that helps is a glass of champagne." Bette Davis, actress, in the film "Old Acquaintance" "Champagne and orange juice is a great drink. The orange improves the champagne, and the champagne definitely improves the orange." Philip, Duke of Edinburgh "Remember, gentlemen, it's not just France we are fighting for, it's champagne!" Winston Churchill, prime minister of Great Britain "Three be the things I shall never attain: envy, content and sufficient champagne." Dorothy Parker American poet Source: www.thechampagneopener.com
FEATURED
CHAMPAGNES
A
Sparkler makes any day special !!!!
Carpene
Malvolti Rose(ITALY)
Fabulous
sparkling Pinot Noir rose with a
bittersweet cherry and strawberry fruit.
Long, rich, crisp and dry. If you have
yet to experience a fine Italian
Prosecco, you have a wonderfully
refreshing surprise in store. Carpene
Malvolti is synonymous with Italy's
finest sparkling Prosecco wines. Gently
fizzy (the Italians call this frizzante)..
It's light and delicate yet flavorsome,
thirst-quenching and uplifting.
"This Conegliano winery has played
a crucial role in perfecting Prosecco-making
techniques and is still a benchmark
estate today" Gambero Rosso 2004.
If you prefer a gently fizzy wine rather
than a full-on sparkler, this frizzante,
is perfect. Italians enjoy Prosecco as
an everyday aperitif - why not join
them. Salut!
Gruet
Rose(NEW MEXICO)
The color is salmon pink and the taste
is soft and creamy. The dominating
aromas are cherries and apple peel. This
Rose is perfectly balanced sparkling
freshness and irresistible aromatic
purity. The taste is brilliant, Complex
with wonderful rich Pinot Noir nose, and
at the same time a buttery, elegant
Chardonnay texture. Packaged in a pink
label - matched perfectly to the wine's color,
makes an awesome presentation.
Francis
Ford Coppola's Sophia (CALIFORNIA)
Poetic
hinting at romance, sparkling with a touch of
glamour, ebullient and bubbly, the youthful
energy of Coppola's Sofia captures the hearts
of all who revel in it. Born out of a
celebration of love, as a gift from Father to
Daughter, Sofia is a tribute to the spirit and
life of a young woman. This Sparkler is a
complex wine that represents the character of
a revolutionary woman coming-of-age. Sofia is
a sophisticated sparkling wine, lower in
alcohol and is perfect for every celebration. Aromas of fresh
summer peaches, tropical fruit & juicy
pineapple. Hints of pear, melon & creamy
lemon unfold on the palate with honeysuckle
emerging on the crisp, dry finish.
CANALS
CANALS BRUT ROSE (SPAIN)
Hints of Strawberry and Cherries, great
semi-dry finish. Perfect for your any day celebration. Not sweet, just an easy
drinking sparkler perfect by itself or with
your favorite dark chocolate.
CODORNÍU Brut Cava Cuvée Raventós NV
85(SPAIN)
A Champagne look-alike, with toast, honey and baking bread notes, albeit done in a more straightforward, lighter style. Nicely done. From Spain. Drink now. 100,000 cases made. -- B.S.
FREIXENET Brut Cava Cordon Negro NV 85(SPAIN)
A hint of pencil shavings highlights this dry-style cava. With its firm structure and cleansing finish, it would work both as an aperitif or with light foods. A value bubbly. From Spain. Drink now. 500,000 cases imported. -- B.S.
DOMAINE STE. MICHELLE Extra Dry Columbia Valley NV 87
(WASHINGTON)
Fresh, aromatic and modestly sweet sparkler, offering pretty quince and pear aromas and flavors, finishing with hints of earth and spice. Pleasing and affordable. From
Washington. Drink now. 51,000 cases made. -- H.S.
ROEDERER ESTATE Brut Anderson Valley NV 88(California)
Intense and concentrated, with rich pear, citrus, hazelnut and vanilla flavors that are focused and lively. Excellent value. From California. Drink now through 2007. 65,000 cases made. -- J.L.
PIPER-HEIDSIECK Brut Champagne NV 91(France)
A well-rounded, balanced sparkler, showing hazelnut, citrus and honey flavors, augmented by toast, well-integrated with the medium-bodied weight and lively structure. From France. Drink now through 2004. 50,000 cases imported. -- B.S.
Pond
Point Wine & Spirits has the Largest
selection, in Milford, of Champagnes
& Sparklers from around the World
Veuve
Clicquot BRUT - $LOW
Veuve
Clicquot Brut Vintage 1999 - $LOW
La Grande Dame
- When only the best Veuve will do -
Come in for a great price on this
GREAT Champagne - Call or stop by for
price $$
Perrier
Jouet NV BRUT -
$LOW
We also have the Perrier
Jouet 2 Glass pack - this makes an unforgettable
gift - hurry in, this is a limited
allocated item - Call or stop by for
price $$
Cristal 1999
-
Call or stop by for price
The jewel of the House of Louis Roederer is Cristal, created in 1876 for Tsar Alexander II. This is champagne at its finest, as inspired today as it has always been, the embodiment of elegance and purity. Cristal is made according to the strictest criteria, based on a drastic process of selection applying to the vintage, the cru, the village, the grapes and finally the wines. Only Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes from the House's 10 most celebrated crus are used in the production of this legendary cuvée. Hazlenuts and cream, walnuts and brioche – this is a precocious, strutting and very fine wine.
1986
Dom
-
Call or stop by for price $$
Gosset
- Call or stop by for price $$
SO
MANY, MANY MORE from France, Spain,
California, Australia and more !!!!!!!!!
We
have Dom Perignon,
Crystal &
La Grande Dame in stock &
chilled- Come in
and check out the largest selection in
Milford !!!!
prices
subject to change without notice
We
also have ALL
the flavors of Godiva Liqueur and
everything else you need to make that
"special" drink
Mail to: info@pondpointwines.com