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GET TOASTED

By Giacomo Maniscalco
The Brooklyn Paper

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A familiar sound following the excited New Year’s countdown is the distinct pop of a champagne bottle; it is the subsequent reaction to the first sip that will vary.

This year, whether you are a wine connoisseur looking to discover a fresh bubbly, or an utterly clueless champagne shopper, the Greene Grape’s "Bubbles That Don’t Blow" free champagne tasting in Fort Greene allows you to ward off disappointment by sampling in advance.

On Thursday, sip some "growers’ champagnes" that are characteristic of the Greene Grape. Growers’ champagnes are made from producers that grow their own grapes and "these people put their name on them and take a lot of pride in what they do," Greene Grape owner Amy Bennett told GO Brooklyn.

Bennett added that - contrary to some big name brands - growers’ champagnes reflect a "less money spent on marketing, more money spent on wine" philosophy.

Bennett invites readers to come and sip five of these sparkling wines, from the more expensive A. Margaine Champagne Special Club 1996 ($62), with its full and rich taste, to the affordable, crisp Gaston Chiquet Premier Cru Carte Verte Brut NV ($35).

Bennett explained that the pricier "Special Club" champagnes are composed of cuvees, or special blends, that are tasted, classified and labeled by other growers.

"It’s a little bit of peer review," said Bennett, describing these sparkling wines as having particularly high quality.

Bennett urges revelers "to try something a little off the beaten path" this New Year’s Eve, but there is no risk involved as all are free to "try before they buy."

"The Bubbles That Don’t Blow" wine tasting takes place at the Greene Grape [765 Fulton St. between South Oxford and South Portland streets in Fort Greene] on Dec. 28, from 5 pm to 7 pm. The event is free. For more information, call (718) 797 9463 or visit www.greenegrape.com

©2006 Community Newspaper Group

→A very Marty Xmas

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