You could whip up a special punch or make yourself crazy taking cocktail orders for a brilliant holiday party, or you could do the easy thing: Pour bubbly and plenty of it. Nothing better to set the festive mood than the sound of corks popping.
While you’ll have to spend $50 or more to buy a champagne that’s worth drinking (and some of the grower Champagnes are terrific values at that price), you can get just as much fun out of some lesser-priced sparkling wines from California, Italy - or France (yes, there is sparkling wine beyond Champagne territory).
We’ve rounded up some worthy bottles that seem to be around right now in shops for the last mad dash before the actual day. But if you can’t find any or all, not to worry. Just ask for something similar (i.e., from the same appellation) from a helpful wine clerk.
You don’t want to run out of bubbly, so it’s a good idea to pick up more bottles than you think you might need. They’ll keep.
NV Sorelle Bronca “Particella 68” Prosecco (Veneto, Italy). About $20.
The country seems to be mad for prosecco, the sparkling wine from Italy’s Veneto. Right now sales are booming, but a lot of it is cheap plonk. Spend a few dollars more for this excellent example of nonvintage prosecco from old-vine glera grapes. This one is extra-dry, the way they drink it in Italy, which means just a tad less dry than brut. Tasting of peaches and citrus, it has a fresh acidity and a mineral intensity.
NV Bele Casel Prosecco (Veneto, Italy). About $15.
Another extra-dry prosecco from a small estate that sources the grapes from some of the appellation’s best vineyards. Beautiful, creamy texture and a delicate scent of pear make this one a natural for the holiday table.
Schramsberg “Mirabelle” California Rose (California). About $20.
A fine nonvintage rose sparkler at a great price from the historic Schramsberg house in Napa Valley. Just over half chardonnay, the rest pinot noir, from several areas in California, this dry rose is lightly scented with strawberries, more complex than you’d expect at this price. A festive bottle to have on hand over the holidays.
2006 Roederer Estate Brut L’Ermitage (Mendocino). About $40.
The top sparkling wine from the French-owned Roederer Estate in Anderson Valley in Mendocino County has a subtle elegance that draws you in. Crisp and fresh, the L’Ermitage brut exhibits a fine mousse and an inviting bouquet of sweet spices and lemon. This is one California sparkler that tastes much more expensive than its price tag.
NV Hubert Meyer Cremant d’Alsace Rose (Alsace, France). About $18.
Alsace may be better known for thrilling riesling, gewürztraminer and Tokay pinot gris, but the region on the border with Germany also produces some fine sparkling wines called Cremant d’Alsace. Hubert Meyer makes one of the best, especially the 100 percent pinot noir rose with a delicate scent of wild strawberries. These undervalued Methode Champenoise wines are worth seeking out as a Champagne alternative.
NV Allimant-Laugner Brut Rose Cremant d’Alsace (Alsace, France). About $20.
The rose from Allimant-Laugner is another Cremant d’Alsace worth stocking up on for the holidays. The color is so pretty, why not serve it as an aperitif with smoked salmon or trout?
NV Louis Bouillot Perle D’Aurore Brut Rose Cremant De Bourgogne (Burgundy, France). About $15.
Burgundy has a tradition of cremant too, and since this is pinot noir territory, of course much of it is rose. This one comes from the negociant Louis Bouillot, whose history in the region goes back to 1877. At this price, you might expect something innocuous, but Bouillot’s cremant rose offers complexity, character and a touch of Burgundian earthiness.
About the Author
