Of course, Champagne is perfect the way it is. Two red grapes (Pinot noir and Pinot Meunier) and the white Chardonnay make up just about all of the grapes grown in the Champagne region of Northeastern France. These grapes are then transformed through two fermentations (one for alcohol content and one to tickle your nose) and a lengthy stint resting upside down at an angle to get all the floaties to settle out. One may think "Hey, why would you add anything to this already amazing liquid after all it has been through?!" Well, if we didn't modify already tasty liquids, we would be without cocktails in general and a world like that is not one I prefer to live in.
In order to understand the Champagne cocktail, you must drink one. It's simple. Potent. Perfect. Be the guy drinking bubbles at a holiday party and you won't regret it. Just watch your intake. The bubbles cause it to be absorbed into your bloodstream faster than say a still cocktail and you will feel it about halfway through your second one. So make good use of that bottle of Champagne you keep chilled in your fridge for special occasions. You can use sparkling wine in a pinch but you should reward yourself with the good stuff.
