By Leslie Sbrocco–
The holidays are here and that means celebrating the love of family and friends in special ways. From small gatherings to extravagant gifts, try these bubbly recommendations for a sparkling season.
Sparkling Wines to Savor and Sip
2020 Adami Vigneto Giardino ‘Rive di Colbertaldo’ Prosecco Valdobbiadene DOCG, Italy $23
https://www.adamispumanti.it/en/
Prosecco is favored as a light and lively sip, but there are versions that rank among top worldwide sparklers such as those hailing from the area of Valdobbiadene in Northern Italy. Adami is a highly respected producer who crafts some of the best bubbly in the Prosecco category. Rive describes steep hillside vineyards and Adami’s Giardino vineyard produces fizz of layered complexity and succulent freshness. It impresses for less.
2015 Graham Beck Brut Rosé, South Africa $22
https://grahambeckusa.com/
This juicy pink sparkling wine is a winner to stock up on. Quality bubbles in South Africa are known as a Cap Classique. Made with the best grapes grown in cool growing regions of the Western Cape, this dry-styled Pinot Noir/Chardonnay blend is a lightly hued bubbly that makes a powerful impression. Crisp and yet creamy, it sports red berry and citrus notes making it an affordable and exotic option for holiday sipping.
Segura Viudas Brut ‘Reserva Heredad’ Cava, Spain $22
https://seguraviudas.com/
One of the most striking bottles you will see in the wine world, this stunning wine is worth twice the price (or more!). Cava is Spanish sparkling wine, and this elegantly earthy fizz is comprised of white grapes Macabeo and Chardonnay. Made with the traditional process (like Champagne), it’s aged for more than two years in the bottle. Of the many things I admire about this heralded producer is its history dating back to the 11th century. Having had the opportunity to visit the winery outside Barcelona, I can attest that it makes drinking the wine even more special.
2013 Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage Champagne, France $65
https://www.moet.com/en-us
For a splurge worthy of every penny, this iconic house creates beautiful Champagnes. As one of the region’s most famed and celebrated wineries—with a more than 270-year history—Moët & Chandon has long been a favorite of mine. This vintage-dated sparkler celebrates the 2013 harvest, which is the winery’s 75th version of their collectable Grand Vintage Champagne. The cuvee of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier spends seven years aging in the ancient cellars, giving it lush richness and stunning depth.
Booze-Free Sparkling Options
If booze isn’t on your holiday menu, there are more and more high-quality, alcohol-free options to choose from these days. Two drinks with a hint of fizz that I discovered and are worth seeking out come from Mingle Mocktails. https://www.minglemocktails.com
Mingle Blackberry Hibiscus Bellini ($14 per bottle)
Just as the name implies, this fizzy beverage is a blend of blackberry juice and hibiscus essence. It’s a dash sweet with a pleasing palate-cleansing freshness.
Blood Orange Elderflower Mimosa ($14 per bottle)
This is a delicious combination of blood orange juice with delicate floral aromas. Fruity but dryish on the finish, this light sparkler will make your holiday sips shine.
Author, speaker, wine consultant, and television host Leslie Sbrocco is known for her entertaining approach to wine and food. She has won multiple Emmy Awards for her work on PBS, which includes hosting the series “Check, Please! Bay Area” and “100 Days, Drinks, Dishes & Destinations.”
Published on December 2, 2021
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