Ok, I'll be perfectly honest with you - a magnum of Laurent-Perrier Les Réserves Grand Siècle MV Champagne ($1500) is the absolute polar opposite of budget-friendly BUT, ooh la la, what a sip! Elegant, extravagant & exclusive; Laurent-Perrier produced only 1,000 bottles of this cuvée to commemorate their Bicentennial. Aged for over 16 years, it blends spectacular vintages from 1990, 1993, and 1995 to create a beautifully balanced and expressive champagne. I had a chance to sample Grand Siècle at the recent Michelin Guide gala in NYC and the memory has lingered with me - I dream of sipping it again!
My other favorite bubbly from the Laurent-Perrier portfolio is a much more affordable splurge - Ultra Brut NV ($70). No sugar is added in the production of this champagne - the end result is a crisp & dry sip that purely expresses the fruit of the Chardonnay (55%) and Pinot Noir (45%) grapes along with a marvelous minerality. Only 60 calories per glass and about $70 per bottle. Cheers!
