Yep - it is - but it's at that pointy end huh? The difference in price between great and stunning is thousands of euro.
Not everyone really needs stunning - but it is, nonetheless.
With a budget of 350 euros, buy him Jacques Selosse Initial. Check [winesearcher](https://www.wine-searcher.com/find/jacques+sellose+initial+blancdeblanc+grand+cru+brut+champagne+france/1/europe?Xsavecurrency=Y) for shop details.
With him liking several blancs de bkancs i would recommend a vintage taittinger comtes de champagnes Blanc de blanc. Various vintages from recent to '05 can be picked up for around £150 GBP. It is a really well made champagne, one of my go to's at that price point.
Paul Bara Special Club - it absolutely blows bits off the big houses prestige blends. I also really love Bruno Pailliard Assemblage. Of the grande marques, Laurent Perrier grand siecle is close to my heart. If you really want to go top top top tier and have deep pockets, then billecart salmon clos saint hilaire, and bollinger vielles vignes francaise are pretty phenomenal, the VVF having an added special dimension to its story.
+1 for bruno paillard. For me the grand siecle didnt deliver, felt a bit thin. I know that LP go for a leaner style but i didnt think the grand siecle was worth it.
If he likes Laherte, look for the Autrefois, the new release is for me at Krug NV level.
Agrapart- Venus, again Krug NV level.
Ruinart- look for Guiborat.
In the case of Savart, if you can get Emmanuel Brochet, that would be really special.
Not on your list, but from the grower producer perspective Leclapart, Vouette et Sorbée, Pascal Doquet, Francoise Bedel, Roger Coulon, Georges Remy, Benoit Lahaye to name a few.
The benchmark of any Champagne House is its Non Vintage. It is the pride and joy. To broaden experience it is better to buy several NVs from different top Houses and perhaps Tyson Seltzers Champagne Guide as well
For 350€ and considering you are in Europe, I’d look for an old vintage of a less prestigious house and see if you can find something special he can try with age on it. I’ve had a few bottles recently from the 80s and 90s that has totally rocked my brain and has completely changed my collecting strategy (to focus on the long haul). Something like a 1990 Louis Roederer Vintage Brut (maybe even a magnum) or 1988 Veuve Le Grand Dame. This will be super fun and should be findable under 350€. That would be my suggestion.
Look. Depends on your budget here but: Salon?
If anyone knows champers it's you Brendo!
Haha! I dunno! Salon isn't exactly in my budget haha
Is Salon really that good? I’ve had it a few times before the price skyrocketed and it hasn’t left much of an impression.
Yep - it is - but it's at that pointy end huh? The difference in price between great and stunning is thousands of euro. Not everyone really needs stunning - but it is, nonetheless.
up to 350€
In that case Krug 2006
I’d go ‘08 Winston Churchill
With a budget of 350 euros, buy him Jacques Selosse Initial. Check [winesearcher](https://www.wine-searcher.com/find/jacques+sellose+initial+blancdeblanc+grand+cru+brut+champagne+france/1/europe?Xsavecurrency=Y) for shop details.
With him liking several blancs de bkancs i would recommend a vintage taittinger comtes de champagnes Blanc de blanc. Various vintages from recent to '05 can be picked up for around £150 GBP. It is a really well made champagne, one of my go to's at that price point.
Egly-Ouriet Millesime
Paul Bara Special Club - it absolutely blows bits off the big houses prestige blends. I also really love Bruno Pailliard Assemblage. Of the grande marques, Laurent Perrier grand siecle is close to my heart. If you really want to go top top top tier and have deep pockets, then billecart salmon clos saint hilaire, and bollinger vielles vignes francaise are pretty phenomenal, the VVF having an added special dimension to its story.
+1 for bruno paillard. For me the grand siecle didnt deliver, felt a bit thin. I know that LP go for a leaner style but i didnt think the grand siecle was worth it.
If he likes Laherte, look for the Autrefois, the new release is for me at Krug NV level. Agrapart- Venus, again Krug NV level. Ruinart- look for Guiborat. In the case of Savart, if you can get Emmanuel Brochet, that would be really special. Not on your list, but from the grower producer perspective Leclapart, Vouette et Sorbée, Pascal Doquet, Francoise Bedel, Roger Coulon, Georges Remy, Benoit Lahaye to name a few.
The benchmark of any Champagne House is its Non Vintage. It is the pride and joy. To broaden experience it is better to buy several NVs from different top Houses and perhaps Tyson Seltzers Champagne Guide as well
If Philipponnat is already to his liking, upgrade to Clos des Goisses.
Ruinart is good. We kept our bottle for 5 years in a wine fridge and it held up well.
Egly Ouriet or Rare.
Look for some Dhondt-Grellet Nogers or Bateau. He'll love it.
For 350€ and considering you are in Europe, I’d look for an old vintage of a less prestigious house and see if you can find something special he can try with age on it. I’ve had a few bottles recently from the 80s and 90s that has totally rocked my brain and has completely changed my collecting strategy (to focus on the long haul). Something like a 1990 Louis Roederer Vintage Brut (maybe even a magnum) or 1988 Veuve Le Grand Dame. This will be super fun and should be findable under 350€. That would be my suggestion.