Archived Article By Tom Fitzmorris Originally published December 27, 2007 Includes Grand Siecle, One Of The Big Bubblies Free Laurent-Perrier Champagne Tasting Today, Cork & Bottle The name Laurent-Perrier is not on everybody's lips, but that maker's Champagne certainly should be. It's one of the long-time players with a great reputation among oenophiles, but it seems to me that it's much underrated by mainstream Champagne lovers and by composers of restaurant wine lists. Their tete de cuvee--Grand Siecle--is one of my favorite Champagnes, made as it is with a predominance of Pinot Noir, big and yeasty and full-bodied. Cork and Bottle, which routines offers a free wine tasting every Thursday afternoon from five till seven, is apparently celebrating the impending New Year with a four-cuvee tasting of Laurent-Perrier today. The Grand Siecle is, amazingly, part of the offering, along with the brut rose, the demi-sec (that's the rare sweet one, great with creme brulee or fruit tarts), and the non-vintage brut. The latter two sell for about $44 a bottle; the rose is $85, and the Grand Siecle $120. So this is a pretty alluring bevy of bubbly for a free, open tasting. (And I'd consider any of the bruts an excellent cork to pop at midnight Monday night.) The store is on Orleans Avenue at Bayou St. John, on the ground floor of the American Can Company apartment building. I'd go early; this will certainly draw the grape nut regulars, of which the store claims many. © 2007 Tom Fitzmorris. All rights reserved. news@nomenu.com