Taittinger La Française Brut Champagne

Pale straw in color with a fine bead. As always, this is an elegant, distinctive and impeccably crisp Champagne. It is the epitome of stylish; tightly focused, it gently unwraps itself into a graceful, immaculately clean finish that’s lightly toasty and hints at coconut and vanilla wafer.

A rich Champagne, beautifully elegant, toughed by yellow fruits, apples and just the right amount of weight. There are final hints of toast, spice and creamy coconut milk, giving a Champagne that is as much about wine as about bubbles.

Shows elegance and finesse, but also an understated power, as the initial richness gives way to the firm structure, setting the stage for biscuit, honey and ginger notes. Fine length. Drink now through 2010.

The deep savor of this wine is built out of lees to hint at fresh almonds and toasted wheat. Bubbles refresh its lusciousness, giving it drive. The mouthwatering white and green fruit tones would work well with pan-roasted brook trout and slivered almonds.

Balanced, with a rich, toasty character, bright acidity and subtle notes of lemon curd, cream, quince paste and fleur de sel. Ends with a firm, minerally finish. Drink now through 2015.

Pale yellow, with an energetic mousse. High-pitched floral and apple aromas are bright, accented by a refreshing note of mint. Yeasty and toasty in the mouth but ultimately a more delicate style, with fresh, sweet citrus and peach flavors. Finishes on a note of fresh bread, with a bit more weight than recent releases of this cuvée.

The NV Brut La Française is a pretty, mid-weight wine with good definition in its ripe peaches, flowers and sweet spices, and a refined, clean finish. This is an attractive, well-balanced NV Champagne to enjoy now and over the next few years. The blend is 60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay. This is Lot: L7146PK00100, disgorged April 10, 2007. Anticipated maturity: 2008–2010.

What better way to celebrate than to pop a cork from a bottle of fine French Champagne. Full of life, this bubbling sparkler has a fine effervescence with creamy fruit that highlights smooth vanilla, pear, and spice notes and a crisp toasty finish. It’s like “drinking the stars.” So let’s lift our glasses and toast to the good times the holidays bring, we may never pass this way again.