By now you are aware that several of the big Champagne Houses of France branched out to California many years ago. One Cava producer from Spain did also. Roederer Estate is from the house that makes Cristal. Chandon is from the good folks at Moet Chandon, makers of Dom Perignon. Gloria Ferrer is made by the same company as Freixenet.
The famous House of G.H. Mumm, makers of Mumm Cordon Rouge, established Mumm Napa. Their astute private buyer’s club manager, Liz Mercer, contacted me the day after my last posting to offer my readers a discount! How cool! They have fantastic methode champenois sparkling wines priced from $20 to $65, all offered on their website, with discounted shipping on gift sets until December 16th.
I like their Blanc de Noirs ($20) and their prestige cuvee is called DVX. They also are getting into the still wine business because they have substantial vineyards of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
So take a visit to www.mummnapa.com and check them out. Go the the Wine Shop page, place your order, then in the box marked “coupon” enter the code MNV15DC to receive a 15% discount on your first order. You can also join their Club Vivant for more offers.
There have been numerous quotes throughout history about Champagne. Purportedly, when Dom Perignon took the first ever sip of sparkling wine, he called out to his fellow monks “Come Brothers, I am drinking stars!”
But my favorite is from Lily Bollinger, when she was asked “When do you drink Champagne?” Her now classic response:
I only drink Champagne when I’m happy, and when I’m sad. Sometimes I drink it when I am alone. When I have company, I consider it obligatory. I trifle with it if I am not hungry and drink it when I am. Otherwise, I never touch it – unless I am thirsty.