@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Welcome to #SommChat everyone! Tell your friends to join us to learn from #Champagne writer @peterliem #SommChat

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): We’d like to introduce you to Peter Liem, founder of ChampagneGuide.net, @peterliem #SommChat

@peterliem (Peter Liem): .@keepercoll Thanks! Glad to be here. #SommChat

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): We’re about ready to dive in w/ questions, so shout out to @peterliem to say hello & so Peter knows you’re here! #SommChat

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): As we ask @peterliem our Qs, you can ask Peter ur Qs as well! He’ll do his best to answer all Qs in the order they come #SommChat

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Let’s start talking #Champagne with @peterliem! #SommChat

@MDSmitty2488 (Davis Smith): Hey @peterliem excited to hang out for some #SommChat

@WineFoodTX (Wine & Food Fndn TX): Tune in to #SommChat now! bit.ly/pUZPuA

@demilove (Douglas Trapasso): Good morning all at #SommChat, happy thanksgiving!

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Q. @peterliem What made #champagne stand out for you among all other drinks (wine, beer, spirits, etc)? #WineWednesday #SommChat

@peterliem (Peter Liem): A. @keepercoll Finesse, elegance, complexity. Champagne is also highly terroir-expressive, more so than most give it credit for. #SommChat

@corkhoarder (Bryan Garcia): @keepercoll @peterliem What is the 1 staple Champagne that you can’t get enough of? #SommChat

@peterliem (Peter Liem): .@corkhoarder @keepercoll There are many! Right now I’m really into the Bérèche NV, though. And anything by Marie-Noelle Ledru. #SommChat

@corkhoarder (Bryan Garcia): @peterliem @keepercoll Ledru is incredible. I can’t wait to have her Rose when it arrives in NYC. #SommChat

@WineFoodTX (Wine & Food Fndn TX): @peterliem What do you think about Cremant Rose with a traditional thanksgiving dinner? #SommChat

@peterliem (Peter Liem): .@WineFoodTX @keepercoll Cremant Rosé will be fine, but really, you ought to drink champagne! #SommChat

@MDSmitty2488 (Davis Smith): @peterliem Do you think that some producers end up masking their wines terroir with extra extended lees contact? #SommChat

@peterliem (Peter Liem): .@MDSmitty2488 @keepercoll Yes, that’s likely true. It’s definitely possible to have TOO much lees aging. #SommChat

@sanfab44 (Sandra Fab): What #Champagne has the lowest alcohol for our older guests? @peterliem #SommChat @keepercoll

@peterliem (Peter Liem): .@sanfab44 @keepercoll Nearly all champagne is 12%, or sometimes 12.5%. It’s already low compared to other wines. #SommChat

@corkhoarder (Bryan Garcia): @peterliem @keepercoll Do you vary the serving temperatures of your fav Champagnes according to their stylistic profiles? #SommChat

@peterliem (Peter Liem): .@corkhoarder @keepercoll Yes, definitely. The more complex & vinous the wine is, the less chilled it needs to be. #SommChat

@its_corked (Howard Routman): @peterleim recently had some british bubbles when over in the UK. care to comment on the state of their production? #SommChat

@peterliem (Peter Liem): .@its_corked @keepercoll It seems promising, but honestly, I don’t have enough experience to comment. #SommChat

@mattreiser (Matt Reiser): @peterliem most underrated village? #SommChat

@peterliem (Peter Liem): .@mattreiser @keepercoll Anything in the Aube! And Merfy, north of Reims. Lots of things in the Vallée de la Marne. #SommChat

@corkhoarder (Bryan Garcia): @peterliem @keepercoll How, if at all, do you think “zero dosage” affects how Champagne ages? (10-15+ years from disgorge) #SommChat

@peterliem (Peter Liem): .@corkhoarder @keepercoll The best need time, and can develop very well for 10 years. But for 20? Probably not. #SommChat

@ShitMySommSays (ShitMySommelierSays): @peterliem Have you ever sabered a Thanksgiving turkey? I’m asking for a friend. #SommChat

@peterliem (Peter Liem): .@ShitMySommSays @keepercoll No, but I’m certainly willing to try. Tell me when and where… #SommChat

@mattreiser (Matt Reiser): @peterliem been told 2 decant old bdb but not old bdn…thghts? #SommChat cc:@keepercoll

@peterliem (Peter Liem): .@mattreiser @keepercoll Sometimes it works, but I’m not a big fan of decanting. Better to let it aerate slowly, over a few hours. #SommChat

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Q. @peterliem via @wolfeswines: Quest-grower champs or RM what is deal with french inheritance law that pushes most to be NM’s? #SommChat

@peterliem (Peter Liem): .@keepercoll @wolfeswines Sometimes family members fight and split up, but sometimes land is just too expensive to buy. Difficult. #SommChat

@wolfeswines (Jeffrey Wolfe): @peterliem Thx! Happy #WW Gobble Gobble #SommChat

@MDSmitty2488 (Davis Smith): @peterliem @keepercoll How often to do you see Grand Cru Champagne in the American market? #SommChat

@peterliem (Peter Liem): .@MDSmitty2488 @keepercoll There are many. Not so many grands marques label their wines grand cru, but many growers do. #SommChat

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Q. @peterliem How does the #champagne winemaking process differ from making still #wine? #WineWednesday #SommChat

@peterliem (Peter Liem): A. @keepercoll Initially you make a still white wine like any other. The key is ripe fruit, but low alcohol and high acidity. #SommChat

@peterliem (Peter Liem): A. @keepercoll Then the 2nd ferm. happens in bottle, which transforms the wine into something completely different. And better. #SommChat

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Q. @peterliem In your opinion, what are the key elements that make a “good” #champagne? #WineWednesday #SommChat

@peterliem (Peter Liem): A. @keepercoll Balance & harmony, above all. Terroir-expression, whether macro or micro. Complexity, finesse, length. Personality. #SommChat

@corkhoarder (Bryan Garcia): @keepercoll @peterliem How did you get into champagne? #SommChat

@peterliem (Peter Liem): .@corkhoarder @keepercoll By drinking it! But I’ve been spending a lot of time in the region over the last 13 years. #SommChat

@BeauCharles (Weston): @peterliem Whats your take on Champagne Bottle Pressure, know some of the growers use less pressure? good/bad? #SommChat

@peterliem (Peter Liem): .@BeauCharles @keepercoll It’s fashionable now to say that champagne has too much pressure. Could be true. #SommChat

@peterliem (Peter Liem): .@BeauCharles @keepercoll In the old days, aging on cork decreased the pressure. Today’s capsules hold more in. #SommChat

@peterliem (Peter Liem): .@BeauCharles @keepercoll Lower pressure sometimes brings out more vinosity, & gives a creamier texture that’s pleasing. #SommChat

@DomaineSelect (DSWE): @peterliem Heaven forbid, what would be your “deathbed” bottle of Champagne? #SommChat cc: @keepercoll

@peterliem (Peter Liem): .@domaineselect @keepercoll I wouldn’t mind tasting the ’73 Pierre Péters again, from my birth year (are you listening, Rodolphe?) #SommChat

@tmarshalljones (Marshall Jones): @DomaineSelect Mine would be Laurent Perrier Brut Rose. #SommChat

@ShitMySommSays (ShitMySommelierSays): @peterliem Regarding Ace of Spades, I heard it was “Sewer” lie aged. Is that what I smell? #SommChat

@peterliem (Peter Liem): .@ShitMySommSays @keepercoll You know it. Disgorged into your mouth. #SommChat

@corkhoarder (Bryan Garcia): @peterliem @keepercoll Is Cedric Bouchard as charming as his wines? #SommChat

@peterliem (Peter Liem): .@corkhoarder @keepercoll He’s a fantastic guy. Extremely passionate about wine, and about his vineyards, too. #SommChat

@snottysomm (Laura DePasquale): What other Methode Traditionelle areas of the world are you bubbly over #SommChat

@peterliem (Peter Liem): .@snottysomm @keepercoll Some great ones from Austria. Germany is improving. South Africa is not bad at all. #SommChat

@its_corked (Howard Routman): @snottysomm I really dig the Tazmanian bubbles “Methode Tazmanoise”#SommChat

@demilove (Douglas Trapasso): @keepercoll – should more Champagne and Sparkling wines be vintage dated? #SommChat

@peterliem (Peter Liem): .@demilove @keepercoll Not necessarily. With climate change, vintage champagnes are possible more often, but… #SommChat

@peterliem (Peter Liem): .@demilove @keepercoll …vintage champagnes should be a little special, meaning that producers should choose carefully. #SommChat

@dumolvineyard (andy smith): @peterliem a top grower recently described to me certain pres cuvee-DP, CdC,etc as ‘too perfect, no soul’ yr thoughts? @keepercoll #SommChat

@peterliem (Peter Liem): .@dumolvineyard @keepercoll It’s an aesthetic judgment. As an art student, I disliked Kenneth Noland, but others think he’s great. #SommChat

@Sassodoro (Sassodoro): @peterliem @keepercoll What are your thoughts on Franciacorta from Italy? #SommChat

@peterliem (Peter Liem): .@Sassodoro @keepercoll Some excellent wines. Great terroir and soils, and lots of promise. #SommChat

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Q. @peterliem What are the rules or steps to follow when tasting a #champagne? #WineWednesday #SommChat

@peterliem (Peter Liem): A. @keepercoll Drink a lot of it! It’s like still wine, but often more subtle in flavor & delicate in balance. Just pay attention. #SommChat

@dearwinebuyer (Wine Rep): thoroughly enjoying #SommChat w/ @peterliem today. Desperate for a glass of Lallement right about now.

@peterliem (Peter Liem): @dearwinebuyer Me too!

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Q. @peterliem Why do you think roses are so popular among #champagnes right now? #WineWednesday #SommChat

@peterliem (Peter Liem): A. @keepercoll The color is dramatic, and fruit flavors are often pronounced. And quality is higher now than ever. #SommChat

@CaravelleChamp (Rita Jammet): Great question! RT @keepercoll: Q. @peterliem Why do U think rosés R so popular among #champagnes right now? #WineWednesday #SommChat

@BeauCharles (Weston): @CaravelleChamp @keepercoll @peterliem I know my Fav Rose Champ is Pierre Paillard NV thats tasty! #SommChat [ @BeWinedBC ]

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Q. @peterliem Do you have any favorite food pairings with #champagne? #WineWednesday #SommChat

@peterliem (Peter Liem): A. @keepercoll Sushi & sashimi. Japanese food of all sorts. Fried things. Fish & chips. Mushrooms, esp. with old wines. #SommChat

@CaravelleChamp (Rita Jammet): @peterliem Bonjour Peter, what are your thoughts on NV / MV? @keepercoll #SommChat

@ronga (Lindsay Ronga): @CaravelleChamp great question! cc @peterliem @keepercoll #SommChat

@peterliem (Peter Liem): .@CaravelleChamp @keepercoll Seems like insecurity. But I understand how NV could be seen as pejorative. #SommChat

@CaravelleChamp (Rita Jammet): @peterliem merci! Maybe NV should be renamed NOV Not One Vintage or something along those lines? @keepercoll #SommChat

@peterliem (Peter Liem): .@CaravelleChamp @keepercoll Perhaps. Anyway, I think that producers are more concerned about it than consumers are. #SommChat

@amberdemure (amber demure): .@peterliem I’m a huge wine drinker but know nothing about sherry- what’s the sign of a quality one? @keepercoll #SommChat

@peterliem (Peter Liem): .@amberdemure @keepercoll Tough question! Much like any other wine: is it balanced? Complex? Interesting? Does it taste good? #SommChat

@MDSmitty2488 (Davis Smith): @peterliem What major benefits does the chalky Champagne plateau provide for the vines? #SommChat

@peterliem (Peter Liem): .@MDSmitty2488 @keepercoll Everything. Acidity, structure, freshness. It holds water over the summer, and drains it in the winter. #SommChat

@ronga (Lindsay Ronga): @peterliem @keepercoll perhaps even a turkey pairing with bubbles? #SommChat

@peterliem (Peter Liem): .@ronga @keepercoll Depends on what’s accompanying it. I would think a bl. de noirs or something rich in style. #SommChat

@CaravelleChamp (Rita Jammet): @peterliem Twirling the glass when tasting #champagne? @keepercoll #SommChat

@peterliem (Peter Liem): .@CaravelleChamp @keepercoll I always do. Sometimes people make fun of me for it. But then I swirl my water, too. #SommChat

@CaravelleChamp (Rita Jammet): Ha!RT @peterliem: @CaravelleChamp @keepercoll I always do. Sometimes people make fun of me for it. But then I swirl my water, too. #SommChat

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Q. @peterliem Do you have any recommendations on how to pair an entire meal with #champagne? #WineWednesday #SommChat

@peterliem (Peter Liem): A. @keepercoll The acidity, bubbles & low alc. make it versatile w/ food. Start light, w/ bl. de bl., and move to richer styles. #SommChat

@theleftoverchef (Loren Root): @peterliem Q:if a wine industry vet has never visited #Champagne, what do you rec is the best approach:#days, who to contact, etc. #SommChat

@peterliem (Peter Liem): .@theleftoverchef @keepercoll Weekdays are best: always make an appointment with the producer, and don’t be late! #SommChat

@tricerapops (Jesse): @peterliem : looking to get more into Sherry, but unfamiliar w/ producers/Bodega’s outside of EN and Lustau, recs off top of mind? #SommChat

@MDSmitty2488 (Davis Smith): Good Q! RT @tricerapops: @peterliem : want to get into Sherry, but unfamiliar w/ producers outside of EN/Lustau. recs? #SommChat

@peterliem (Peter Liem): .@tricerapops @keepercoll Lots in the States now. Gutierrez Colosia, El Maestro Sierra, Valdespino, Barbadillo, Emilio Hidalgo… #SommChat

@demilove (Douglas Trapasso): @keepercoll – Is it “illegal” or against AOC to make still wines in Champagne? #SommChat

@peterliem (Peter Liem): .@demilove @keepercoll Not at all. The Coteaux Champenois designation covers all still wines in the region. Some delicious ones! #SommChat

@snottysomm (Laura DePasquale): @demilove @keepercoll No AOC is Coteaux de Champenoise…Had a great still 100% Pinot Meunier from Gosset in Ay Rare & Interesting #SommChat

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Q. @peterliem What is the difference btwn a flute & a glass when it comes to your #champagne tasting experience? #WineWednesday #SommChat

@peterliem (Peter Liem): A. @keepercoll A glass can show more aroma and depth, but can sometimes decrease elegance & balance. Every wine is different. #SommChat

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Q. @peterliem Why do you feel that Americans still tend to reserve champagne for special occasions? #WineWednesday #SommChat

@peterliem (Peter Liem): A. @keepercoll It costs more than other wines at the entry-level. And we haven’t learned to drink it with food. That’s changing. #SommChat

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Q. @peterliem Can you give us any insight into upcoming trends to be discussed on ChampagneGuide.net? #WineWednesday #SommChat

@peterliem (Peter Liem): A. @keepercoll I talk about Champagne terroir a lot. Writing an article right now about the idea of “minerality”. #SommChat

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Q. @peterliem Is there a particular #champagne you are currently drinking? #WineWednesday #SommChat

@peterliem (Peter Liem): A. @keepercoll Some favs right now include Chartogne, Philipponnat, Dosnon & Lepage, Vouette & Sorbée. But there are many. #SommChat

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Q. @peterliem What are the main regions in #champagne, and are there stylistic differences that hold true for each region? #SommChat

@peterliem (Peter Liem): A. @keepercoll Côte des Blancs: Crisp, lively wines from chardonnay. Can be rich or delicate, but always chalky. #SommChat

@peterliem (Peter Liem): A. @keepercoll Montagne de Reims: depends on place. South is full & ripe, N is firm & structured, W is more variable & diverse. #SommChat

@peterliem (Peter Liem): A. @keepercoll Vallée de la Marne: depends on place. More clay soils as you go west, more meunier, variety of expositions. #SommChat

@peterliem (Peter Liem): A. @keepercoll Aube: Round, ripe pinot noir. Luscious chard, esp. in Montgueux. Bold wines, lots of depth. Soil like Chablis. #SommChat

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Q. @peterliem Negociant-manipulant or Recoltant-manipulant? What’s the difference & do you have a preference? #WineWednesday #SommChat

@peterliem (Peter Liem): .@keepercoll There are both good and bad NMs and RMs. In terms of quality, it indicates nothing. Buy good producers. #SommChat

@ericawinetrips (Erica Landin): @peterliem Have any examples of too much lees ageing? What does it taste like? @MDSmitty2488 @keepercoll

@peterliem (Peter Liem): .@ericawinetrips @MDSmitty2488 @keepercoll I always prefer Bollinger Grande Année to R.D., for example. #SommChat

@peterliem (Peter Liem): .@ericawinetrips @MDSmitty2488 @keepercoll Too much lees aging can feel thick, yeasty, heavy, obscuring other elements. #SommChat

@ericawinetrips (Erica Landin): @peterliem @MDSmitty2488 @keepercoll true, more freshness, and a good point, but I enjoy heavy yeastyness as well. #SommChat

@peterliem (Peter Liem): .@ericawinetrips There’s heavy yeastiness, which is good, and too much yeastiness, which is tiring. #SommChat

@MDSmitty2488 (Davis Smith): @ericawinetrips @peterliem @keepercoll I agree, but sometimes I want something that reflects terroir too! #wine #SommChat

@ericawinetrips (Erica Landin): @peterliem absolutely, you are quite right. Looking forward to all kinds of yeast in the following three weeks in Ay #SommChat

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Q. @peterliem What can we as buyers look for on the bottle to help guide us towards style preferences? #WineWednesday #SommChat

@peterliem (Peter Liem): A. @keepercoll Lots of gold on the label = tastes expensive. (Just kidding.) #SommChat

@peterliem (Peter Liem): A. @keepercoll Difficult. Bl. de Bl. or Bl. de Noirs can indicate variety, but won’t tell you about style. RM/NM mean nothing. #SommChat

@peterliem (Peter Liem): A. @keepercoll The best thing is to familiarize yourself with producers. Remember the names of the ones you like. #SommChat

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Time to wrap up! Hope you enjoyed this hour of #champagne chat w/ @peterliem! #SommChat

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): It was great to have Peter join us today for #SommChat. Keep chatting #champagne by subscribing to Peter’s ChampagneGuide.net!

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): It was great to have Peter join us today for #SommChat. Keep chatting #champagne by subscribing to Peter’s ChampagneGuide.net!

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Please join me in thanking @peterliem for his time today! #SommChat

@peterliem (Peter Liem): .@keepercoll Thanks so much! And thanks to all of you for joining in. #SommChat

@Sassodoro (Sassodoro): Big thanks to both of you! Happy #WineWednesday! RT @keepercoll: Please join me in thanking @peterliem for his time today! #SommChat

@CaravelleChamp (Rita Jammet): Oui! Thank you Peter, Happy Thanksgiving RT @keepercoll: Please join me in thanking @peterliem for his time today! #SommChat

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): If any1 missed some of the chat today, remember we’ll post an archive soon to http://t.co/USHowBAw for you to review later #SommChat

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Join us next Wed 11/30 11 AM CST for #SommChat with #sommelier @vintagevuong, #wine director at Ame Restaurant!

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Keep in the loop for upcoming guests & archives & sign up for our email list at http://t.co/UpM2UPqt #SommChat

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): If u want 2 B 100% sure ur #SommChat Q for @vintagevuong gets answered, post it to FB & we’ll be sure it gets asked!http://t.co/Njd5opH4