Nicolas Feuillatte Champagne

After-Hours Anticipation

It seemed like any other day in the Timba household:

The kids had to be fed, dressed, and sent off to school. Then work, of course, and errands and chores. And the shuttling to and from after-school practices, dinner arranging, and attending parent/teacher conferences at two different schools.

And, oh yes, it was our 15th wedding anniversary.

The Sparkling Wine Details Bottle    Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Grape    40% Pinot Noir; 20% Chardonnay; 40% Pinot Meunier Year       N.V. Region  France Price     ~$30.00 Shop   Snooth Celebrate with More Bubbles Bellini (recipe with peaches or strawberries) French 75 (a THH favorite!)

Champagne Tips To Chill: Place on side on bottom shelf of refrigerator at least 3-4 hours before serving. Or submerge in ice water for 20 minutes. Do not freeze! To Open: Remove wire cage. Place palm over cork and hold bottle at 45 degrees. Twist bottle gently from the bottom. Cork should lightly sigh on opening. To Serve: Use flute glasses rinsed and dried of any soap residue (inhibits bubbles). Slowly pour till 3/4 full.

"Life's a little different now than it was 15 years ago," my husband commented as we briefly passed each other in the kitchen to attend to some pressing need—help with a long division problem, or a cup of spilled milk in the dining room. Our celebration would have to wait until later, when we finally had a few moments to ourselves.

I thought of the beautiful blue and gold bottle of Champagne I had chilling in the refrigerator, and smiled.

"It sure is," I agreed. "It's way better."

Diane Timba is a contributing writer at Thursday Happy Hour. Check out her lifestyle wine column here on Wednesdays. How do you turn an ordinary day extraordinary? Let Diane know in the comments below. Or chat with her on Facebook.

Comments

[Mark Burt]

I was given a bottle of Nicholas Feuillatte Cuvee Palmes d'Or Champagne, vintage 1990, as a gift some years ago. I recently found it again, in a box, after moving. Can we still drink it ?

[Shelly]

Champagne is usually consumed young, but as long as it was well kept and doesn't show any signs of damage or leakage, it should be ok. Taste it to be sure. Of course, you left this comment long ago, so you probably already tried it! Sorry for the delay in response.