Mike, you indicated that Champagne is more like brands.
My local wine shop is slowly going to introduce me to some Boutique small producers. Wineries with under 10000 case production. He says he has 10-12 of them coming in this Fall...
I bought one bottle to try to get started---Champagne Brut Diebolt-Vallois a' Cremant....
Are you two Mikes familiar with this...I will try this in a Bordeaux glass in the next month.
My kitchen is getting remodeled over next 4 weeks so I think I will not be cooking much while floor, counters and cabinets are being replaced.