Senior tasting coordinator MaryAnn Worobiec has been with Wine Spectator since 1997. She tastes New Zealand wines and California Petite Sirah, Sauvignon Blanc and "other" whites.

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An Impromptu Bubbly for Celebration

Perrier-Jouët Brut Champagne Grand Brut NV

MaryAnn Worobiec
Posted: June 15, 2011

While I don’t always have an exact inventory in my head, I know that at any point the contents of my refrigerator include the following: butter, hummus, about four types of mustard, something in the crisper drawer I’ve forgotten about, and a bottle of bubbly.

The bottle of bubbly is most important, because I believe in celebrating whenever the opportunity presents itself. When a recent impromptu after-party celebrating good news found its way to my house, I pulled out the hummus and the forgotten carrots and celery sticks from the crisper, and that bottle of Perrier-Jouët Brut Champagne Grand Brut NV ($45) that was tucked on the refrigerator door.

There really is nothing better than Champagne to make a moment feel special, and this sparkler was really delicious. I loved the toasty apple, citrus peel and lemony notes, and the crispness of the wine. It was refreshing, elegant and aromatic, and a wonderful complement to the impromptu snacks. I rated it 92 points, non-blind. I’ve already replaced that bottle with a replica, for the next time a moment needs celebrating.

WineSpectator.com members: Read the original blind-tasting review for Perrier-Jouët Brut Champagne Grand Brut NV (90, $45).

• Plus, get scores and tasting notes for more recently rated Champagnes, along with our quick list of Top Values among sparkling wines from around the world.