David's view on drinking Champagne and sparkling wines.

As a wine industry veteran, and host of a radio show about wine, food, travel and lifestyle, a wine question comes up quite often from listeners and friends. It's "when should I drink that special bottle of Champagne or sparkling wine?" My response usually begins with "what is the wine and how long have you had it?" In the 15 years of the radio show, the most interesting response was from a radio listener in 1992 who had been saving a bottle of Dom Perignon for 26 years in her refrigerator, and was looking for an appropriate occasion to open it. My first question was, is she married, and for how long? She had celebrated her 30th anniversary earlier that year. With simple math it became clear that 52 birthdays had passed, 26 anniversaries, 26 Valentine's Day, 26 New Years Eve, Christmas every year, many childrens birthdays, and countless dinners had gone by with that bottle in her refrigerator since she acquired it. So I finally said to her "What would be a special occasion"? It became clear that she was asking a serious question, and with a straight face, I suggested that perhaps tomorrow morning, upon awakening, she look in the mirror, and if she sees her reflection, make that the day for celebration, and open the bottle. I never heard from her as to whether or not the Dom was in good shape or not. But my point is that Champagne and sparkling wines need not only be consumed on "special days" but are wines like any other that should be enjoyed as any other. Drink them with dinner, brunch, as apertifs, or as a welcome to guests in your home. Life is too short to over think a wines proper place our lives. enjoy life now, for who knows what tomorrow may bring.