quote:

Originally posted by Vino Me:
If you are looking for an extraordinary bottle of Champagne for tonight (or for any occasion), I would highly recommend trying a "Special Club". I'm sure some or most of you have heard of Special Club Champagne but for those of you who have not, here is a rundown on what it is (I just posted most of this same info in a thread on a bottle of Launois Special Club that I had last weekend).

The Special Club was started in 1971 and is a currently a group of 26 grower producers in the Champagne region. The purpose of the group is to promote terroir in Champagne production (an idea that is all too neglected by the bigger houses). To become a member a producer must grow their own grapes and be designated as RM's (an explanation of what RM means is here). They all use the same style bottle but have individual labels. These wines represent the top offerings from each producer. The wines must go through a tasting by club members before it can be approved as a Special Club. After initial approval, the wine then undergoes a second fermentation and 3 more years of aging before a final round of tasting by members for approval and bottling. Special Clubs are always vintage wines but are not put out every year (there were no 2003's).

These wines vary in price but are normally in the $50-80 range. They represent a far better value than most Champagne that sell for $100. For example, last weekend the Launois Special club that was opened at an offline was superior to the 1998 Veuve La Grande Dame and 2002 Bollinger Champagne La Grande Année in my opinion (each sells for about double the Launois price).

VM

quote:

Originally posted by eyesintime:
I don't drink a lot of champagne (I know, blasphemy on these boards), but quite a bit of what I drink is Special Club. I've enjoyed most I've had and they fit my budget nicely. In fact, one of the wines I will be bringing to a dinner tonight is a 2000 Gaston Chiquet Special Club.

quote:

Originally posted by Vino Me:
If you are looking for an extraordinary bottle of Champagne for tonight (or for any occasion), I would highly recommend trying a "Special Club". I'm sure some or most of you have heard of Special Club Champagne but for those of you who have not, here is a rundown on what it is (I just posted most of this same info in a thread on a bottle of Launois Special Club that I had last weekend).

The Special Club was started in 1971 and is a currently a group of 26 grower producers in the Champagne region. The purpose of the group is to promote terroir in Champagne production (an idea that is all too neglected by the bigger houses). To become a member a producer must grow their own grapes and be designated as RM's (an explanation of what RM means is here). They all use the same style bottle but have individual labels. These wines represent the top offerings from each producer. The wines must go through a tasting by club members before it can be approved as a Special Club. After initial approval, the wine then undergoes a second fermentation and 3 more years of aging before a final round of tasting by members for approval and bottling. Special Clubs are always vintage wines but are not put out every year (there were no 2003's).

These wines vary in price but are normally in the $50-80 range. They represent a far better value than most Champagne that sell for $100. For example, last weekend the Launois Special club that was opened at an offline was superior to the 1998 Veuve La Grande Dame and 2002 Bollinger Champagne La Grande Année in my opinion (each sells for about double the Launois price).

VM

quote:

Originally posted by winetarelli:
Is this how you did research papers in high school and college?

quote:

Originally posted by Vino Me:

By college, do you mean secretarial school?

VM

quote:

Originally posted by EB Wine:
Picked up from Wine Discount Center today -

'04 Gaston Chique "Special Club"
'04 Henri Goutorbe "Special Club"

Thanks for the tip!