Valentine’s Day is here and for those that will be toasting with champagne, we asked DMB’s esteemed wine sommelier James Kane to recommend some bottles for the perfect Valentine’s Day champagne celebration.
Whether you want to splurge on something extravagant or celebrate with a reasonable bottle, here’s our list of 5 Champagnes to try on Valentine’s day that should satisfy your taste. Pop a bottle and let the bubbles flow! Cheers! Happy Valentine’s Day from the Victory team.
Roederer Cristal 2002 (Approximately $200)
This is an exceptional wine, as is the vintage. The fruits, grapefruit, crisp red apple – balanced with a fine yeasty character. This exquisite selection presents itself with subtle hints of citrus, berry and coffee, lots of brioche, honeysuckle and nectarine notes.
Rated at 92 points by Wine Spectator (Find this wine)
Laurent-Perrier Brut Rose NV (Approximately $80)
This salmon pink rose champagne has a luxurious and vibrant tanginess balanced with flavors of black currant, strawberry, licorice & candied ginger with a lasting smoky mineral finish.
Rated at 92 points by Wine Spectator (Find this wine)
Veuve Cliquot Yellow Label Brut NV (Approximately $50)
Theorized to have been the first truly “modern” champagne, it has a very racy acidity, with flavors of white peach, anise, bisquitt & kumquat, with a long creamy finish.
Rated at 92 points by Wine Spectator (Find this wine)
Iron Horse Brut Rose 2006 (Approximately $40)
The wildest of the Iron Horse sparklings and surprisingly dry. Bold and vibrant in both color and taste, it is pure exuberance, with fresh strawberry and watermelon aromas and distinct flavors of ripe raspberry, vanilla and citrus.
Rated at 92 points by Wine Enthusiast (Find this wine)
Gloria Ferrer Royal Cuvee 2004 (Approximately $25)
A refreshing and elegant sparkling wine, with floral aromas of apple and brioche, the flavors are light and yeasty, with lemon-tinged acidity.
Rated at 90 points by Wine & Spirits (Find this wine)
About the Sommelier
James Kane, CSW: A New England native, James was educated at Fordham University in New York and while attending college began working in the beverage industry as a singing waiter/bartender. He migrated to Aspen, Colorado in 1970 and spent the next 20 years bartending in some of the finest venues in the ski resort including the Little Nell and the infamous Hotel Jerome “J” Bar. After a three year stint managing a club in West Palm Beach, Florida, James returned to the west and spent 12 years as Head Bartender at The Boulders Resort in Carefree where he began to focus his interest on wine. He had the good fortune to be on the opening team when the Silverleaf Club opened in 2004 and shifted his interest in wine to more focused training, achieving the Certified Specialist of Wine title through study with the Society of Wine Educators. Now in his 10th year at Silverleaf, he oversees the Wine Program, schedules the Wine Maker Dinner Series and conducts educational events for members and employees.