<table border="0" align="right" width="190"><tr><td><img src="http://www.wineloverspage.com/graphics1/geof1228.jpg" border="1" align="right"></td></tr></table>Champagne René Geoffroy "Expression" Brut Coumières Premier Cru ($29.99)
Clear pale gold, with a foamy mousse followed by a very persistent bubble fountain. Apples and a delicate whiff of rising bread dough; just a touch of cocoa. Tart and crisp, flavors follow the nose. Creamy and fresh, nicely balanced. Another "farmer fizz" from an individual grower (Récoltant-Manipulant), it's an unusual blend of 50% Pinot Meunier, 40% Pinot Noir and 10% Chardonnay. U.S. importer: Michael Skurnik Wines, Manhasset, N.Y.; a Terry Theise Estate Selection. (Dec. 28, 2007)
<B>FOOD MATCH:</b> Good with a diverse range of fare on a pre-New Year's buffet: French bread and Brie, avocado and grapefruit salad, spinach quiche and a vegetarian kale-and-garbanzo soup.
<B>VALUE:</B> More than competitive in the pricey realm of "real" Champagne at this price point, which appears to be a few dollars under the market.
<B>WHEN TO DRINK:</B> Made to drink up and requires no cellaring, but it should keep well for a year or two under good storage conditions, perhaps longer if you like the oxidized quality of older Champagne.
<B>WEB LINK:</B>
The importer's Website features this English-language fact sheet on Champagne René Geoffroy, with links to detailed reports on this and other specific wines:
[url=http://www.skurnikwines.com/prospects.cgi?rm=view_prospect_detail&prospect_id=423]http://www.skurnikwines.com/
prospects.cgi?rm=view_prospect_detail&prospect_id=423[/url]
<B>FIND THIS WINE ONLINE:</B>
Compare prices and locate vendors for Geoffroy "Expression" on Wine-Searcher.com:
[url=http://www.wine-searcher.com/find/Geoffroy%2bExpression/-/-/USD/A?referring_site=WLP]http://www.wine-searcher.com/
find/Geoffroy%2bExpression/-/-/USD/A?referring_site=WLP[/url]