1990 Veuve Clicquot Rose “Reserve,” Champagne; About $49

The venerable Champagne house Veuve Clicquot has just released its rose reserve from the 1990 vintage, and what a rose! It has a delicate peach color, a fine bead of bubbles, an entrancing scent of strawberries and cream and a finish that stays around for a good long while. It is, without exaggeration, a perfect rose Champagne, one that goes beautifully with food. The good news is that you can find it for under $50 even at the more expensive specialized wine shops around town, and that’s an incredible bargain for a wine--any wine--of this quality.

Available at Flask Liquor, Studio City, (818) 985-3421; and Harvest Ranch Market, Encinitas, (760) 944-6898. If you can’t find this wine, ask your local store to order it from the distributor, Henry Wine Group (800) 669-9428.