Cheers! Santé Tchin-Tchin! I’ll try any bottle that says Champagne and Product of France, even if it doesn’t have a fancy French well-known label. This find at $19.99 is from Kirkland Signature the Costco brand and it is very popular judging from the lonesome two cases remaining on display that day. I think this little gem has a story behind it and on the label it says it is produced in the Grand Cru village of Verzenay, France in the Champagne region by Manuel Janisson at Maison MJ, imported by DC Flynt MW Domaines & Estates.

It’s still a law that the word Champagne can only be printed on the bottle if it was grown and harvested in the region of Champagne, France following strict rules and protocol. “Champagne is a French sparkling wine. The term Champagne comes from its region where it is produced in “Champagne”. It is illegal to label any product Champagne unless it came from the Champagne wine region of France and is produced under the rules of the appellation.”

The label says it is made from standard Champagne wines: “This Brut Champagne, is made from Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir ,and Chardonnay, it has aromas of lemon and brioche with a rich texture and notes of green apple, apricot, and a citrus character.” I was pleasantly surprised by this Champagne and although not a wine or champagne expert per say, I think I do have good taste and am an informal connoisseur of good things like: coffee, chocolate, and wine & champagne! I’ve tasted a nice array of French Champagne from Dom Pérignon, Moet & Chandon, to Veuve Clicquot to name a few and know which ones I like and are good to my taste and what to look for in a Champagne.

In the case of this bubbly, the bottle is shaped with a long thin neck and I noticed right away that the cork POP! was strong, tight, and explosive. The bubbles as well in the glass were tight, small, and crisp, there was thank goodness no sweetness as in the sparkling wines or Prosecco and no bitter aftertaste as in some Méthode Champenoise sparkling wines or California Champagne. Just like its name says, Champagne Brut tasted crisp and dry yes, like green apples and citrusy with some other earthy element I cannot name and a hint of floral lavender, maybe?