'Tis the season to celebrate!
There's nothing like a glass of Champagne. Whether alone, or with a favorite meal or dessert - it always fits the bill. However, paying the bill can be a problem!
So, with New Year's Eve right around the corner, I have scoured local stores and online resources in search of affordable sparkling wines that will give you as much joy as Champagne without breaking the bank.
Outside of the Champagne region, France is an amazing source of delicious, high quality bubbles. Look for Crémant on the label, to identify wines made in the same manner as Champagne.
Spain and Italy produce enormous quantities of sparkling wine, the most common being Cava from Spain and Prosecco from Italy. The trick with either is to avoid the cheapest wine on the shelf; it's almost always awful. Stick to safe, middle price ranges, roughly $12 to $25. US wineries make good sparklers. Roederer Estate, owned by Champagne giant Louis Roederer, sets the standard for American sparkling wine, and gives French Champagne houses a run for their money. Also, New Mexico's Gruet Winery is a new discovery that won't disappoint - surprisingly!
Here are some of my favorites to share with your friends:
France
NV Pierre Boniface Les Rocailles Brut de Savoie ($15-$19) Jacquère, Altesse, Chardonnay. As crisp as a day in the French Alps, and much more affordable!
2007 Domaine Clavelin Brut Comté Chardonnay, Cremant de Jura ($15-$19) Chardonnay. Rich and commanding, with toasty notes of baked apples and lemons.
Spain
2006 Gramona Gran Cuvée, Cava, Penedes ($15-$21) Xarel-lo, Macabeo, Chardonnay. Creamy and full-bodied, with layers of flavors.
Italy
NV San Giovanni Prosecco di Valdobbiadene DOC, Veneto ($18) Prosecco.
Fruity and light-hearted, but flavorful enough to stand up to anything.
United States
NV Gruet Blanc de Noirs, New Mexico ($13.75) Pinot Noir.
Medium bodied and perfectly balanced, with flavors of yellow apples, citrus flowers, and biscuits.
2002 Roederer Estate L'Hermitage, Anderson Valley, California ($45) Chardonnay, Pinot Noir. Powerful and elegant. Full-bodied, with commanding and complex flavors of fruit, flowers, fresh cream, and toast. Can stand up to a steak, but delicate enough not to overpower anything.
Cheers!
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