Wines (& some Champagnes) of the Month

Champagne, by far the world’s most celebratory wine, was invented by mistake in the seventeenth century, as legend has it, by a Benedictine monk named Dom Perignon. The wine comes from the region Champagne – about 90 miles northeast of Paris and anything else that resembles Champagne but made anywhere else must be called sparkling wine according to French law. We open a bottle each time we land a new job, when we marry, when a new baby is born and or course, as we ring in the New Year. The methode champenoise, the way in which the wine must be made, is a very complicated and complex process involving many steps over years of time.

I’ll spare readers the agonizing details of methode champenoise and get right to the point. Which one should you buy? Well have I got a few for you. Depending on your budget and the style which you prefer, below are some of mine and my staff’s favorite options.

Mionetto ‘IL’ Prosecco
Most of our customers have tried this fruity Italian sparkler which comes in a bottle shaped like a bowling pin and has a pop top. It’s great for before dinner too at $10.99. Oh, and they also make a sparkling rose that I like even more! $11.99

Gruet Brut Sparkling Wine
A killer sparkling wine made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from New Mexico. This one actually begins to taste like a true French Champagne. Our most popular domestic! $15.99

Montaudon Brut Champagne
A bold, full-bodied Champagne with notes of toast, honey and candied fruit. A great introduction to the world of true Champagne and our most popular. Wine Spectator 90 points! $28.99

Joseph Perrier Cuvee Josephine ‘90
An intense, luxurious and penetrating Champagne for serious sparkling lovers only. A very limited release wine that exudes notes of pear, ginger and bold toast flavors. Joe’s favorite Champagne in the world! $99.99

While we offer many others, these are just a few of our favorites. Come in soon to KAFKA before they’re gone! And don’t forget our First Fridays wine tasting series held the first Friday of every month. January 7, 2005 will feature wines from our ‘toasty’ category. So bring your friends or come make some new ones! Call to reserve now. Space is limited!

By: Joe Kafka
Kafka Wine Co., 3325 N Halsted
(773) 975-9463
www.kafkawine.com