New Year’s Eve and champagne, 5 common questions

Many of us like to celebrate New Year’s Eve with festivities that include champagne, but very few of us drink enough to know much about it. Although it is a wonderful, food-friendly wine, suitable for any occasion where wine is appropriate, it often remains shrouded in mystery, and as the New Year approaches, people often start asking questions about it. Here are five of the most common questions I hear.

1) What is the difference between French champagne and other champagne?

This is a common question with an easy answer. All the champagne is from France. There are other wonderful sparkling wines from other parts of the world, but they taste different even if they say “Champagne” on the label. However, you can celebrate the New Year or any other event with any type of sparkling wine you like, or even a beer or non-alcoholic drink.

2) Can I open Champagne before midnight?

I’m surprised how often this question is asked, but of course you can. You can open a bottle whenever you want. I usually have a drink with dinner on New Year’s Eve, and another at midnight, but it’s up to you. There are no more rules than drinking responsibly.

3) How much do I have to spend?

If you’re buying the real stuff, you’ll spend around $30 or more. If there is a type you know and like, you can get it or ask for recommendations at the wine shop. You can buy very good non-French sparkling wine for much less. For example, a good bottle of Spanish cava will cost you between $15 and $20 on average, sometimes less.

4) Is the expensive champagne worth it?

If you are an experienced, yes, absolutely. However, if you’ve just come of age, have never had one before, and want to buy a bottle of Dom Perignon, you’re wasting his money. But first some bottles of less expensive but excellent sparkling wines.

5) How cold should it be served?

In general, most are served too cold. Cold ice is too cold. I like to put it in the fridge for a few hours and then take it out for about 30-45 minutes before popping it. As you drink it, it will get even hotter and the flavors will open up as well, and if it gets too hot for your liking, you can ice it briefly.