Grape Expectations

Let the amateurs pick through wilted roses—go classic this Valentine’s Day. Choosing just the right bottle of bubbly will stack the love deck in your favor.
By Meaghan Dorman • Photographs by Nicholas Eveleigh

When it comes to purchasing champagne, there’s much more to consider than the price tag. First off, to make sure Cupid doesn’t shoot you in the foot, go for the official French stuff. While there are just three basic grapes used in champagne production (pinot noir, pinot meunier, and chardonnay), they can be blended in ways that run the gamut from light to intense. Find a bottle to match your plans and you’ll get to see the lingerie she’s been saving for February 14th.

Casual Dating
Planning a date early in a relationship means spending a bit more, but all that romance in the air should yield a sexcapade payoff. To help things along, try Moët & Chandon’s Rosé Impérial ($42). The lively nose of wild strawberries makes this the most popular Brut Rosé; the blend of pinot noir, pinot meunier, chardonnay, and reserve wines results in a palate that is juicy and fruit-forward. Consistency has made Moët & Chandon king, and this bottle is no exception.

Instead of a Ring
To make her forget you didn’t get down on one knee, you’ll have to go big—like special vintage big. Show her you appreciate her with a bottle of Vilmart & Cie Coeur de Cuvée Brut, 2001 ($120). This grower/producer has a cult following for its wines, which are crafted from organically grown grapes and aged in oak. The chardonnay and pinot noir blend into a bubbly with a caramel nose and a bright, silvery palate. It’s the best way to keep the next six months diamond pressure free.

Married
While you’ve already wooed and won her, you’ll still be in the doghouse if you don’t make the day special. Lucky for you, Laurent-Perrier crafts exceptional champagne from its three best vintages for Grand Siècle ($220). The blending of multivintage prestige cuvée produces a wine that is as complex but perfectly balanced as your happy marriage. The grand crupinot noir and chardonnay grapes produce a honeyed nose and a rich, round palate that lingers pleasantly.

Exclusive
A lady who inspires you to turn in your player’s card must be special, so treat her that way with Ruinart Blanc de Blancs ($65). The striking bottle screams elegance, and the golden wine doesn’t disappoint. It’s created from a blend of 100 percent premiers crus chardonnay grapes and has a rich, buttery nose that leads to a subtle flavor of honey and almond. Fine fruits give this unique champagne a round, creamy flavor that will prove to your woman that she’s made the right choice.

Professional Bachelor
Toast the single life with a glass of Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin La Grande Dame 1998 ($140). This top-ofthe-line cuvée is just what a champagne should be—multidimensional and elegant. At a 64 percent pinot noir/36 percent chardonnay blend, it’s both refined and intense. Along with its notes of flowers and sweet almond, La Grande Dame has a deeper level on the palate of tobacco and malt, making it one superb bottle to save for yourself.