Nothing says celebration like sparkling wine.
Food, wine and merriment – hark, the holidays are here, and all festive gatherings should begin with sparkling wine.
For some, just the thought of sparkling wine brings an instant headache, however, this can be mitigated, and there are many good options that won’t break your bank account.
To begin, we must start with the world’s greatest sparkling wine, Champagne. This most elegant and complex of all sparkling wines comes from Champagne, France. All Champagne is sparkling wine, but not all sparkling wine can be called Champagne. It is a protected name that the French are incredibly proud of, and rightfully so.
Wine professionals are keenly aware of the frequent misuse of the term “Champagne” and often will inquire if it is actual Champagne you desire, or a sparkling wine.
If you have never tasted true Champagne, then perhaps it’s time. Yes, there is a difference. Yes, it is expensive. And yes, it is worth every penny – or dollar, for that matter. These wines offer notes of toasted brioche, green apples, bread dough and, if oaked, butterscotch. The expense of Champagne can be justified by its long, elegant finish.
With prices starting at $40 per bottle, not everyone is able, or willing, to afford the cost of true Champagne. Fortunately, there are several great options available from all over the world for a fraction of the cost, including some delightful sparkling wines from Spain, Italy, California, Washington, Australia and France that are far more friendly to your pocketbook.
Spain is responsible for the great sparkling wine called Cava, which is always affordable (typically under $20) and always “brut” (dry and not sweet). Cava is typically a blend of grape varieties with a bouquet of green apples, pears, subtle yeast and minerals. On the palate, the wine is always light, clean, crisp and dry, with a long mineral finish. Cava is the best option for mimosas because of its lack of sweetness.
For those who prefer a kiss of sweetness, Italy is the home of Prosecco, a light, bright and citrusy wine with just a hint of residual sugar. Softer than Cava, Prosecco is a crowd-pleaser that also costs less than $20 a bottle.
For those who seek more finesse but don’t want to commit to the cost of true Champagne, look no further than California. California sparkling wines offer great elegance for a great price. These sparklers offer notes of tropical fruit, green apples and butterscotch and are typically dry and supple. California sparkling wines are ideally priced from $20 to $40.
If you are hosting a large party on a budget, there are some excellent values to be found from Washington, or for something more obscure, some very unique and delicious bubbles come from Tasmania, Australia.
And perhaps a New Year’s Day hangover is inevitable, but you can mitigate the effects by choosing a sparkling wine that is not sweet. By selecting a wine from any of these regions and staying above the $15 mark, you will be less likely to wake up wishing you had chosen the slightly better quality. With that said, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!
Alan Cuenca is an accredited oenophile and owner of Put a Cork in It, a Durango wine store. Reach him at info@putacorkinit.org.
