Chi-Chi Comes to Gigi's Wine Shelf

First, thanks for grabbing your wine glass by the stem and joining me. I have been on the road, as it were, but rest assured I sampled a long list of varietals along the way. Unfortunately, nothing so tastebud- tempting to cause me to add it to my modest little shelf.

However, my white-and-red sippers, I am considering getting a new wine that takes things up a cork or two. Oh, if you are wondering, it has nothing to do with champagne, which is my favorite. No, it's a white, but more on that later.

Now, I did grab a beautiful silver bottle of Veuve Clicquot Rich at Total Wine last week. The young guy at the register gave us his approval and marveled at our wisdom in scoring this beautiful champagne for under $100. These words were immediately followed by the fact he had no knowledge of chamapage, but wanted to learn. Loved his honesty. Rich is $70.

Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label has been fluctuating from $55 to $75, depending on the wine shop or grocery store. Is it tariff related? Hmm.

​In my quest to stay abreast of on-going tariff changes, especially with champagne pricing, I have been keeping tabs while roaming the the aisles of Costco and Total Wine. While Costco was holding steady at $49. for Clicquot, Total kept bubbling up, but they are now back to $49. But, that was last week.

Champagne pricing has become my new hobby, apparently. Better than firing ceramics like I did in my own kiln a few years ago.

Now, about kicking wine things up a notch. I am becoming a little bit obsessed with Montrechet. Let's get Chi-Chi, shall we?

White wine suits me, but can my little wine shelf support the weight of such a la-de-da wine? Not in actual pounds, just reputation.

This wine traces back to the 13th century, originating in the Grand Cru vineyard of Burgundy, France. Apparently it was all the rage in Benedictine abbeys. Naturally. By the 17th century it was revered. Well, as much as wine is ever revered.

The word is, this white has a sweetness and delicacy which still holds today. Still revered, uh-huh.

Thomas Jefferson was a fan, so that must carry some weight, right?

Montrachet is highly regarded and is a very collectible wine, so I may need to add a shelf. Perhaps not.

Now, it gets complicated for me. The Montrachet vineyard is almost equally divided between Puligny-Montrachet and Chassagne-Montrachet. As a rule the Chassagne side is known as Le Montrachet, while the Puligny side is simply called Montrachet. Good to know.

The price is equally perplexing, as a bargain-basement tippler, I'm in a world of trouble trying to dissect it. Seriously, these wines are insanely priced, $150-$43,668.88. Yes, you read that correctly. Seems $150 is the typical starting price. Should I assume the press of $150 bottles come from grapes after all the good juice has been squeezed out and just the skin is crushed? Kidding, kind of.

Alas, I did find a bottle I am eyeing, Chassagne Montrachet, Blanc 2023 for $75. Were they down to the stems at this point for this varietal? If I do find it at Total as their site says they do have it, I will let you know more about Montrechet. But, if you already know, jump in and spill your thoughts.

Oh, one other thing, but an important one...it is pronounced Monrashay. As I scan the $10. bins, and the wine attendant appears, I must know how to ask for Montrachet.
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