best buy champagne 2017

The Best Champagnes to Buy in 2017

If you are looking for a sparkling wine to celebrate a special occasion, or just to enjoy with your friends and family, you might be overwhelmed by the variety of champagnes available on the market. How do you choose the best one for your taste and budget? Here are some tips and recommendations based on the rankings of FINE Champagne magazine and tastingbook.com, which blind tasted 1000 samples of current champagnes in 2017.
What is champagne?
Champagne is a type of sparkling wine that is produced in the Champagne region of France, following strict rules and regulations. It is made from three main grape varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. The bubbles are created by a second fermentation in the bottle, which traps carbon dioxide inside. Champagne can be classified by its sweetness level, from brut (dry) to doux (sweet), and by its vintage (the year of harvest) or non-vintage (a blend of different years).
How to choose champagne?

There are many factors that can influence your choice of champagne, such as your personal preference, the occasion, the food pairing, the price and the availability. Here are some general guidelines to help you narrow down your options:
- If you like light and fresh champagnes, look for blanc de blancs (made from 100% Chardonnay) or brut nature (with no added sugar).
- If you like rich and complex champagnes, look for blanc de noirs (made from 100% Pinot Noir or Pinot Meunier) or vintage (from a single year).
- If you like fruity and floral champagnes, look for rosé (with some red wine added) or demi-sec (with some residual sugar).
- If you are celebrating a milestone or a special event, look for prestige cuvées (the top range of a champagne house) or rare vintages (from exceptional years).
- If you are on a budget, look for best buys (champagnes that offer excellent quality-to-price ratios) or non-vintage (usually cheaper than vintage).
- If you are looking for something different, look for grower champagnes (made by small producers who own their own vineyards) or organic/biodynamic champagnes (made with minimal intervention and respect for nature).
What are the best champagnes to buy in 2017?

According to FINE Champagne magazine and tastingbook.com, these are the top 10 champagnes that are showing best this very moment:
- Moët & Chandon MCIII NV: A unique cuvée that blends wines from different vintages, ages and vessels, creating a multi-layered and harmonious champagne.
- Dom Ruinart Rosé 2004: A delicate and elegant rosé that combines Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from grand cru vineyards, expressing finesse and minerality.
- Piper-Heidsieck Rare 2002: A complex and powerful champagne that showcases the exceptional vintage of 2002, with notes of honey, spice and exotic fruits.
- Louis Roederer Cristal 2009: A legendary champagne that is only produced in the best years, with a silky texture and a vibrant freshness.
- Dom Pérignon 2009: A classic champagne that reflects the warm and sunny vintage of 2009, with aromas of ripe fruit, toast and brioche.
- Deutz Cuvée William Deutz 2006: A balanced and refined champagne that blends Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier from grand and premier cru vineyards.
- Taittinger Comtes de Champagne 2006: A pure and elegant blanc de blancs that comes from the finest Chardonnay vineyards in the Côte des Blancs.
- Armand de Brignac Blanc de Blancs NV: A luxurious and opulent champagne that is presented in a gold-plated bottle, with notes of citrus, white flowers and vanilla.
- Piper-Heidsieck Essentiel NV: A longer-lees ageing