Cham Pain…
Just in time for the celebration of the new year…
Usually it takes an event, something achieved or some date on the calendar. Celebrations are in order so the champagne is popped. I can still remember the first time I really went to town on a bottle of champagne. I was 19, and there was no special reason, just wanted a little of the bubbly. Though, that night it was just “sparkling white wine.”
Until recently I had only indulged in the effervescent drink on the called for occasions. It all started in France. I suppose I was actually celebrating my being in France at the time. I digress, because I happened to go through two bottles of fantastic champagne that day. Not only were they incredibly enjoyable and delicious, they also had a different inebriation effect. As much as I can remember I was in one of the best moods ever.
Ever since I’ve enjoyed kicking back on random occasions with a bottle of bubbly. Now, there are many kinds of “champagne.”
1. Real champagne… no kidding. Most people are aware that champagne can only be called champagne if it came from the region of Champagne in France. There are also a few different kinds. Brut is the driest meaning it has less sugar and therefore is less sweet (I realize most of you know this) and extra dry is actually medium dry, but whatever. Personally, I love a good brut. The best I have yet to drink was Domaine, pictured on the left.
2. Sparkling wine. Now this pretty much will cover anything not from champagne. My personal favorite is prosecco. This is the Italian version. My reason for liking this above real champagne is probably due to my preference for things Italian and spite for things french. There is also the spanish version called cava. I don’t have a lot of drinking experience with this one yet, but it is produced in basically the same method used in Champagne. Then, you have the American versions. These are usually the cheapest sparkling wines you can find. Don’t get me wrong, they can be just as good as a cheap foreign version, but I just don’t find it interesting to drink something I can obtain easily… at least not until I’m drunk and looking for a cheap drink. I couldn’t even tell you what American brand to go for (Korbel… I don’t know).
In the end if you are drinking some form of champagne you are the winner because eventually that warm feeling will over take you. You’ll feel nice and light and warm. With that in mind, make a note and start to drink champagne more often. I mean, I’ve got friends who get frightfully mean when they drink whiskey, but even the most evil person you know would lighten up with a good glass of champagne.
Cheers!
[written under the influence of Val D'Oca and Ballatore proseccos]
