NV Kirkland Signature Brut Champagne

NV Kirkland Signature Brut Champagne

Vintage: NV

Region: Champagne, France
Winery: Janisson & Sons Champagne House (Manuel Janisson)

Varietal: Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay (Champagne Blend)

Price: $19.99 at Costco

Expert Rating: N/A

My Rating: 88+

The Review: Costco- undeniably the greatest gift to mankind. What can't they do? Excessively large quantities of cereal, a lovely selection of butchered meats, free samples, and... really solid private label wine? Yes, believe it or not, Kirkland Signature wines are usually really good and always well below the market price.

So how do they make good wines? Like all Kirkland labeled products, they pay another company to make the wines for them. It just so happens that they source from some of the best wineries/regions in the world. This means that several of their wines are competitive in quality with some very good wines.

Today's example, the Kirkland Signature Brut Champagne, is a perfect example of how Costco can put out excellent wines for dirt cheap. It's an authentic Champagne made by Manuel Janisson of Janisson & Sons Champagne House, a reputable house that produces some phenomenal wines, and retails for $19.99 (about $15 dollars less than the cheapest available Champagnes). Although I've never had the famed Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label, many writers say that it was almost impossible to pick out the supposedly superior Veuve when they were compared side by side.

The tasting also really checked all of the boxes for me. It presented a nose of citrus (lemon zest, specifically) that was complemented by some strawberry jam and fresh-baked bread. This bread note is something that is always looked for in Champagne (and all traditional method sparklers) because Champagne is aged "sur lie" (on the lees). This means that while it's aging, it rests on the dead yeast cells which impart a yeasty, bready flavor. It's particularly pronounced in Champagnes because there is a legal requirement for it to be aged at least 12 months on the lees. So, so far so good. In the nose alone, we've hit 3 classic Champagne aromas. The taste continues the trend and offers really crisp notes of lemon, lime, and even green apple. The finish gives way to a creamy texture and notes of fresh strawberries and a light breadiness. The bubbles were firm and the wine was both refreshing and interesting. (Pro tip for you if you like the toast flavor- aging the wine in bottle usually draws out more of that note)

If I rated the wines of this page based on flavor and price instead of flavor alone, my rating for this would easily be up in the mid-90's. I cannot stress enough that you will not find a better bargain in wine, especially if you like Champagne (disclaimer: Trader Joe's and Sam's Club also have a $20 Champagne, so I'll re-ponder this statement when I try them... but I don't think I'll need to).

So next time you're perusing around Costco for fun like my family does, consider a bottle of this stuff. And if you have an occasion that calls for authentic Champagne besides just existing, serve this next time. If you're worried about people judging that Kirkland label, serve it blind and scold their snobbery when they rave about how good it is. You'll be so hip. Probably don't actually scold them though unless they deserve it.

drink what you like,

db