cheers to a sparkling new year!
As the holiday season is in full swing and this wild year of 2020 is winding down, I have been thinking about what bottles of sparkling treats to enjoy during these special holidays. Although bubbles get the reputation of being “for special occasions” they also make for really nice, everyday options to complement your weeknight dinner as most are very food friendly. Can we all agree that getting through the average Tuesday this year is cause for celebration? On that note, bubbles also have the reputation for being expensive and unapproachable. This can be true, and trust me many of the high end bottles coming from the Champagne region of France have earned. Let’s explore some of my favorite bottles, all of which are affordable and easy to find, to help you send this year off and welcome in the new and improved 2021!
Villa Sandi Il Fresco Prosecco NV
Northeast Italy is home to Prosecco, a unique and one of a kind sparkling wine. The production style of this wine keeps it light, dry, fresh and crisp which make for a lovely start to any meal this holiday season. Look for apple, melon, honeysuckle and citrus notes, which by the way pair really well with a splash of OJ in case a mimosa is calling your name.
Casa De Valor Brut Nature
Moving onto Spain, Cava is the trojan horse of sparkling wines. It has the ability to sneak into your glass and completely surprise even the most discerning of palates. Cava is the Spanish term for a traditional method of producing sparkling wine. Due to the hotter climate of where these grapes grow, they can take a more natural approach with this varietal and let the natural sugars and acidity shine, skipping the dosage step that is common in the champagne region. This wine boasts a bright nose of floral and citrus notes with a dry finish, balanced by the lees (yeast) that create a creamier mouthfeel.
Victorine de Chastenay Crémant de Bourgogne Brut Rosé
Now we’re off to France, however instead of heading to Champagne we’re going just south to Burgundy. Wait, doesn’t the most expense wine in the world come from there, you ask? Indeed it does, but this is where the Crémant is such a hidden treasure of the region. This bottle is made of 100% pinot grapes from the world famous region but in the same method as Champagne. This rosé boasts a delicate rose gold color with red cherry, strawberry and raspberry fruits and a creamy, smooth finish.
Mumm Napa Brut Prestige
I can’t leave California out of the mix when talking about sparkling wine, and Mumm leads the pack. They are a French champagne house that setup shop in Napa and have been making stellar sparkling wine in the US since the late 1970s. This particular bottle is such a perfect expression of classic style matching with Napa’s unique climate and terroir. This is a favorite in my house on Christmas Eve, it shows a bit of vanilla, baking spices (Gingerbread house anyone?), and perfectly integrated acidity.
Cleto Chiarli Premium Lambrusco di Sorbara Secco Vecchia Modena
Our final stop on our trip around the world tasting my favorite things, lands us back in Italy in the Modena region. If you haven’t had a Lambrusco there is no better time than the holiday season to try one. There is something so special about drinking a sparkling red wine, especially paired with a charcuterie plate. This particular bottle is dry (secco), so you’ll notice pops of cranberry, strawberry and raspberry without a sweetness on the finish. This bottle is the most fruit forward of all the bottles we’ve explored. There are darker and sweeter versions of Lambrusco, all of which pair well with pizza any night of the week.
These bottles can be found at your local bottle shops, my favorite in Denver is Pearl Wine Co. Enjoy your wine adventures this season and cheers to a fresh, healthy and happy new year!