Taittinger Brut Champagne 2004, A.C., Champagne, France: Stunning champagne! Green apple, brioche, white peach. Endless finish. One of the finest champagnes I’ve tasted. Drink: 2011-2016. 989905 12.50% XD 750 mL  $74.95 Score: 97/100. August 20, 2011 Top Rated Sparkling Wine. Full Review

Louis Bouillot Perle d'Ivoire Brut Blanc de Blancs Crémant De Bourgogne, Burgundy A.C., France: The Burgundian estate of Louis Bouillot was one of the first wineries in the region to create sparkling wine, called Crémant de Bourgogne, back in 1877. Crisp and clean with toasty warmth and green apple refreshment. Pair with fried chicken. A toasty Crémant de Bourgogne with great texture and mouth-filling weight. Nice crisp finish. Drink: 2020-2022. 21034 12% D 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 90/100. December 16, 2021 Best Value Sparkling Wine. Fantastic Fried Chicken Wine Full Review

Gérard Bertrand Grand Terroir La Clape Syrah Carignan Mourvèdre 2013, Midi A.P., France: The grapes for this French red wine blend are planted closer to the Mediterranean sea and therefore there are more spice accents in the finished wine along with red fruits, lavender and pepper. The vines are planted at an altitude of 200 metres above sea level, which preserves their freshness with cool nights. The soils consist of limestone plateau that's thousands of years old. The finish has moorland accents. Pair with rosemary lamb. Although the Languedoc is the world's largest wine region with 235,000 acres, it is not one homogenous mass or style wine-wise. There are actually 5 sub-climates and more than 50 different grapes used in varying blends. Compare that to the 5 grapes used in Bordeaux. There are also 8 different and distinctive winds that blow through the vines here as compared to one in the Rhone, the Mistral. Drink: 2016-2019. 370262 14% XD 750 mL  $19.95 Score: 93/100. November 26, 2016 Best Value Red Wine. Harmonious Hard Cheese Wine Full Review