Sure, it’s easy to reach for Champagne when there’s something to celebrate. But there is a wide world of sparkling wines out there, from Spanish Cava to Italian Prosecco to a number of domestic U.S. producers crafting interesting bubbles. Here are five of my favorites, just in time to pop a cork for New Years Eve.
Torresella Prosecco ($14.99)
Guests will think you spent a lot more if you offer this traditional sparkler from the Veneto at your next party. Made of Glera grapes using environmentally sustainable practices, it is surprisingly complex and crisp, slightly yeasty and fruity, but bone dry.
Champy ($25)
This classic California blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay is like sunshine in a glass – a great wine for every day celebrations. The brainchild of Boston-based entrepreneur and two-time Emmy Award winner Jenny Johnson and Penny Gadd-Coster, executive director of winemaking at Rack & Riddle in Sonoma County, Champy (pronounced shamp-y, it even sounds like a party) is a blend of 60 percent Chardonnay and 40 percent Pinot Noir sourced from Sonoma, Mendocino and Napa counties. Currently, distribution is limited to Massachusetts, but if you can get it, you’ll find a lush orange blossom nose with red fruit on the palate.
Frank Family Vineyards Blanc de Blancs 2011 ($45)
Small batch production, hand-riddling and two and a half years on lees have produced a classic Champagne-style bubbly – toasty with hits of honeysuckle, strawberries and lime. Made with fruit from Rich Frank’s Lewis Vineyard in the Carneros region of the Napa Valley at a property Forbes reports has a long history of producing sparkling wine. Winemaker Todd Graff has been with Frank Family since 2002 and has a special affinity for sparkling wines – certainly on display here, it’s a good value and a great choice for an elegant evening or a festive affair.
Mumm DVX 2008 ($60)
Luscious, with hints of raspberries, strawberries, grapefruit and a warm toastiness, Mumm’s tête de cuvée honors the late Guy Devaux, founding winemaker of Mumm Napa. The grapes for DVX come from a half-dozen of the winemaker’s best vineyard sources, with some of the wine undergoing malolactic fermentation to add creaminess and a portion barrel aged, to add spicy caramel notes. Aged for six years on the lees before disgorging, it is an elegant choice to share with someone special.
Inman Family Wines 2012 Blanc de Noir ($68)
Meditate on endless tiny bubbles while enjoying an exceptionally long finish in this single vineyard sparkler made from 100% Pinot Noir from Kathleen Inman’s Olivet Grange Estate Vineyard in the Russian River Valley. Disgorged on October 26th, just in time for the holidays, only 266 cases of this elegant tipple were produced. The tart, refreshing palate, with hints of green apple and hibiscus, is delicate, with some minerality and very food friendly. Oh, and it would look lovely with an engagement ring at the bottom of the glass.
