Champagne has more than 15,000 wine-growers, of which around 2,000 make their own cuvées, ie more than 10,000 different champagne to which around 2,000 cuvées sold by the wine merchant can be added. Around 12,000 cuvées are therefore offered to lovers of bubbles and effervescence. How to choose your champagne and who to trust in this abundance of choice which complicates the task for curious minds quick to embark on the discovery of new vintages and new oenological horizons. Hence the importance of the wine guides who taste and sort through thousands of wines and allow wine lovers to get to the point and not get lost in the paths of disappointment. Except that in this game not all guides are created equal. When some come close to poverty and sell their charms (a little) and their good grace (especially) to those who agree to buy a little advertising in their sad work, others do honor to the profession and show themselves to 'a rigor that commands admiration. Small selection of Guides to whom you can entrust your cellar and who you can count on to choose your champagne :
Robert Parker
He is certainly the most famous critic in the world. Each edition of Robert Parker's guide sells millions of copies and gives market trends. Robert Parker pays special attention to champagnes.
Robert Parker's website : http://www.erobertparker.com/
Wine Spectator
It is the most important magazine devoted to wine in the world. Wine Spectator tastings are particularly eagerly awaited by amateurs who have blind faith in this bible of drinking well.
The Wine Spectator website : http://www.winespectator.com
Guide to the Revue du Vin de France
It is undeniably the monthly reference in France on the world of wine. Its journalists travel through vineyards around the world to taste the greatest vintages and unearth rare gems. The annual guide compiles everything you need to know about the wines that matter.
The website of the Revue du Vin de France : http://www.larvf.com
Guide Hachette des Vins
It is the most sold in France, therefore the most listened to. Yet his word is contested by a part of the profession which accuses him of hasty tastings and a certain inertia. We cannot however blame the Guide Hachette des Vins for a certain freshness, especially in the field of champagne and for daring to leave the hackneyed paths of criticism.
The website of the Guide Hachette des Vins : http://www.hachette-vins.com/
Guide Bettane et Desseauve
Two very big names in tasting whose words are listened to beyond our hexagonal borders, something rare. Lots of wines and champagnes tasted, but also a certain philosophy of fine wine and a welcome practicality.
The Bettane et Desseauve Guide website : http://www.bettanedesseauve.fr/
Guide Du Point byJacques Dupont
Another great name in tasting and an incorruptible soul. Jacques Dupont has been traveling the vineyards of France for many years and the special Champagne du Point issue published every first week of December is a bible of its kind. Austere and cold, the long list of vintages and domains not to be missed unrolled by the journalist is of surgical precision.
The Point site : http://www.lepoint.fr/