Apparently, Moet & Chandon has created the first-ever Champagne served on ice. It's been out for a couple of a years but has been somewhat under the radar. We got our hands on some to decide if this idea was genius or silly.
The Champagne was extremely drinkable, maybe even too drinkable, when poured over ice. The ice diluted the carbonation and made it basically taste like an alcoholic soda. The Champagne is on the sweeter side and goes down smoothly. Before you know it, you've drunk more than you planned. The sweetness, coupled with the fact that the Ice Imperial is less densely bubbled, does it make it a prime candidate to serve with ice. This isn't necessarily a Champagne created for its taste nuances. Instead, it's meant for easy summertime drinking.
But does the Champagne actually benefit from the ice? Not really. When sampled sans ice cubes, the Champagne just tasted like a slightly-sweet sparkling wine. It was pleasant and just as smooth than when on ice, but less diluted. If you hate carbonation, ice may be a solution, but if you like the experience and texture of bubbles on your tongue, don't bother.
Also, if price is a concern, Moet Ice Imperial runs pretty steep. We guessed that it had a price tag -- based on taste -- at around $20. It's about three times that at least.
We don't want to knock down this Champagne too hard, as it is tasty. But don't worry if you're bringing it along to your next picnic and you forget the ice. As long as it's chilled, you're still golden.
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