"Champagne is the ultimate festive splurge, but it's so much more nuanced than just a broad category of sparkling wines. Choosing between Blanc de Blancs or Blanc de Noirs, Vintage or Non Vintage, Brut or Extra Brut ... the choice can be a complex one. Plus, if you're spending more than your typical wine budget, you want to be sure you're getting something you'll like! Some people opt for the popular brands found at every shop, sticking with what they know."
"But just like every other type of wine, each Champagne producer has their own style (within the accepted regulations), making it well worth the effort to sample different brands. If you don't have a reliable sales clerk at your local wine shop or the money to spend on a tasting experience and aren't sure where to start, we've got you covered. We asked some sommeliers for their favorite underrated Champagne brands to help guide your bubbly journey."
"Based in New York City, Lee Musho is a sommelier with a Level 3 WSET certificate, as well as a wine (and cheese!) educator. She did not hesitate to name John Charles Ricciuti as one of her favorite underrated Champagne brands. Founded by an Italian-American immigrant in France and now run by the namesake's son, this Champagne house's legacy continues to thrive."
"The winery makes several cuvées, including a Brut Réserve, Brut Franco Américaine, Blanc de Blancs, Rosé, Prestige, and more, as well as bottles from select vintages. Musho's bottle of choice is the 1er Cru Brut Réserve NV, made with equal parts pinot noir and chardonnay and the remainder pinot meunier. It's aged in stainless steel tanks and undergoes malolactic ferme"
Champagne offers many nuanced choices including grape blend, vintage status, and sweetness level, which influence style and price. Many consumers default to familiar popular brands, but individual producers create distinct expressions within regulatory rules. Sampling different cuvées and producers can uncover excellent, underrated options that match personal tastes. Sommeliers recommend exploring lesser-known houses to expand preferences and find value. John Charles Ricciuti exemplifies an underrated house with a legacy rooted in an Italian-American founder, a range of cuvées, and a 1er Cru Brut Réserve NV blend featuring pinot noir, chardonnay, and pinot meunier aged in stainless steel.
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