TIP OF THE DAY: Autographed Champagne Bottles

With a gold felt-tipped pen, you can turn a Champagne or wine bottle into a memento of friendship and good times. It’s the concept of a guest book ported to a bottle. With the gold ink, date an unopened bottle of Champagne and record the occasion (e.g., Christmas Party, 12.9.12). Next, have party guests or…
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ST. PATRICK’S DAY: Oysters & Champagne

Oysters and bubbly are not just for New Year’s Eve. Oysters on the half shell are a favorite in Ireland. While they’re popular bar food with a beer, you can create a real celebration with sparkling wine. Whether with Champagne or the lighter and more affordable Cava and Prosecco sparklers, invite friends over to toast…
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VALENTINE’S DAY: Toast With Taittinger Champagne

If you’re headed to the wine shop to buy Champagne, there are a lot of choices. Where should you start? Take a look at Taittinger. It’s a universal favorite, described by one prominent wine reviewer as “the essence of Champagne.” One of our friends, a wine writer who could have chosen anything, served it at…
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VIDEO: How To Open A Bottle Of Champagne

  If you don’t know how to open a bottle of Champagne, it can seem daunting. But it’s really quite simple: Remove the foil and the metal cage that cover the cork. Hold the cork with one hand. With your other hand, gently turn the bottle. You’ll hear a gentle pop. And that’s it!  …
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TIP OF THE DAY: A Cocktail Or Dessert Of Champagne & Sorbet

Add the right fruit sorbet to the right sparkling wine: delicious! (photo © Domaine Chandon).   September is California Wine Month. The first sustained California vineyard was planted in 1779 by Franciscan missionaries, at Mission San Juan Capistrano (in southern California, halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego). The first documented imported vines (from Europe)…
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