Bubbles and Holidays 2022
Including a Champagne Primer, Toasting and Serving Guidelines, and 7 Sparklers Recommended
Holiday parties and bubbles gifting is upon us this week. Nothing sets the stage for a party more perfectly than being offered a glass of bubbles from an ornate silver tray. All special occasions call for sparkling wine, but winter holiday parties demand an impressive sparkler. I receive more emails requesting sparkler and Champagne suggestions in December than at any other time of the year. But people are confused about how to select a type or style of sparkling wine. I hope to clear up your confusion.
Questions abound. Many people ask, for example, “Should my choice be domestic or international?” Great bubbles are found all over the world--in France’s traditional Champagne region, in the new worlds of the USA, Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand, and in the special other regions of France (think Loire Valley, Burgundy, Bordeaux), Northern Italy, Great Britain, and Spain’s well-regarded Cava’s. Take your pick.
How should wine be chilled and served? What food pairs with sparkling wines? Another question I frequently hear is, “What is the proper etiquette for giving a Champagne toast?” For answers to these questions, see A Champagne Primer (attached for downloading) which also discusses wine sweetness levels, bottle sizes, and style and production. Serving, Opening, and Chilling instructions are below. The Champagne Toast guidelines are reviewed.
See 7 Recommended Impressive Sparklers below for some imbibing and gifting ideas. Whatever you decide to spend on bubbles for the holidays, there are many choices from around the world.
“I only drink Champagne on two occasions: when I am in love and when I’m not.”
– Coco Chanel
Is there a Champagne Shortage?
There are always rumors about the world’s most famous sparkling region. See my 2021 article, “15 Champagne Facts and Rumors.” During inflationary and post-pandemic times it is rumored that there is a Champagne shortage. World-renown wine expert, Jancis Robinson, addressed this subject, November 17, 2022, in her Purple Pages newsletter:
“There has been much wringing of hands in the wine trade about champagne shortages – a true First World problem surely. And it seems as though it is the famous names that are most difficult for smaller retailers to get their hands on.
Covid-19 probably made producers extra-cautious – too cautious? – about over-production but then I suppose it was difficult to predict when the world would emerge from lockdown and the effect of it all on drinkers’ thirst for champagne. All of this means that prices have been rocketing upwards.”
– Jancis Robinson, MW.
Crémant from France
Eight non-Champagne regions in France boast terrific sparkling wine called crémant…Crémant de Loire, Crémant de Bourgogne (Burgundy), Crémant de Bordeaux, and Crémant d’Alsace, to name a few. They use grapes synonymous to the region and use the same production process as the Champagne called “methode traditionelle.” As an example, Crémant d’Alsace is made from six different grape varieties including Pinot Noir Pinot Gris, Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Auxerrois, and Chardonnay. Champagne on the other hand is made only from three grapes: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. A Crémant can be lovely and a great value.
Italy
Italy offers a breadth of sparkling choices from the “method traditionelle” Franciacorta wines to the myriad of choices from the Prosecco region. Below is a chart pyramid “pecking order” of the Prosecco choices with the top sparklers from Valdobbiadene Superiore di Cartizze DOCG and Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Rive DOCG. Spumante is a classification of Italian sparkling wine that can be produced in any area of Italy with any grape variety made in many methods.
USA and New World Sparklers
The higher-end USA sparklers are produced in the “methode traditionelle,” second bottle fermentation method. They are lovely wines. It’s always fun to visit these sparkling wine producers like Domaine Carneros or Schramsberg in Napa Valley. See recommendations below. When you see the production firsthand, you really appreciate the work and time that goes into producing a really great sparkler. American sparklers come from many states including California, Oregon, Virginia, Washington, New Mexico, Texas, or New York. See “Gruet Winery: A Premium Sparkling Producer in New Mexico.”
Come quickly, I’m tasting the stars!”
– Dom Perignon shouts to his fellow monks regarding his Champagne
Chilling, Opening, and Serving Sparkling Wine
Chilling
Before serving, chill the wine well by placing the bottle in a bucket filled with ice and just enough water to make a slurry for 30 minutes.
The pressure in a bottle of Champagne is equivalent to that of a large tire so be aware of flying cork consequences. Turn the wire 5 ½ twists. Slant the bottle at a 45-degree angle away from guests and untwist the bottle instead of the cork leaving the wire muzzle loosely coupled for safety and leverage.
Grasp the cork firmly, twist the bottle slowly, and let the pressure help ease out the cork while maintaining greater pressure on it. A maiden’s sigh is the sound to aim for, not a loud pop.
Serve in tall flute, tulip glasses, or coupes (modeled supposedly after Marie Antoinette’s breast) at a temperature of 42-47 degrees. Pour a small amount into the glass, allow the bubbles to settle, then top up to about 2/3 full. Let the sparkler be consumed fully and do not top it up so that it again can be enjoyed chilled.
“Champagne: in success you deserve it and in defeat, you need it”
– Winston Churchill
Food Pairing with Sparkling Wine
Food pairing for Champagne spans from appetizers to main courses and desserts. Pair Champagne with Oysters Rockefeller and Smoked Salmon toasts points with cream cheese. Salty choices always work with dry sparkling wines. Popcorn tossed with Parmesan cheese and olive oil is a simple example. Follow the wine and dessert pairing guideline: make sure the Champagne is sweeter (demi-sec through Doux) than the dessert or the wine will fall flat.
The Champagne Toast Guidelines
Special occasions often require you to give a Champagne toast for the gathering. A few guidelines follow. Spontaneous toasts only look that casual. Select the right words and practice them. A touch of humor is rarely out of place. Understand that you may be recorded and tweeted later, so be appropriate. When ready, make sure that everyone has been poured a glass of wine. Say, “May I have your attention” vs. beating on the glassware with utensils. Stand up. Look and speak directly to the Toastee, first and last, while in between address the rest of the audience. Don’t gesture with your glass or you may slosh the wine. A toast of 90 seconds or less in length is always appreciated. Finally say, “Let’s welcome, Max,” “Let’s celebrate Max, a great friend,” “To Max,” or another appropriate ending. Tip your glass and take a sip of wine at the end of the toast. All special occasions call for Champagne, but winter holiday parties demand a festive sparkler. Cheers!
7 Recommended Impressive Sparklers
Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame Yayoi Kusama Limited Edition in Gift Box 2012, Champagne, France, $240
This is the vintage Veuve Clicquot in a limited edition, top of the house cuvée. The tour at Veuve Clicquot winery remains my favorite of my Champagne visit. “La Grande Dame de Champagne” is named in honor of Madame Clicquot. The aging imparts a depth and power to the wine that has complex aromas of dried apricot, honey, and hazelnuts. Be sure to visit the headquarters in Reims, France on your next trip. The caves are historic and amazing.
Billecart-Salmon Brut Rose, NV Champagne, France, $95
Wine Spectator, 92 Points
I had a wonderful tour here several years ago at their headquarters in Champagne, France. Their rosé Champagne is magnificent, and this one is one of their most affordable choices. It has an expressive berry flavor with a citrus zest and creaminess at the finish.
Val d’Oca ‘Rive di San Pietro di Barbozza’ Brut, DOCG Prosecco Superiore di Valdobbiadene, $38
This wine features the aromas and flavors of white blossom, tropical fruit, and ripe pear…..from the Prosecco Superiore di Valdobbiadene, Italy region, a top Prosecco area.
Lucien Albrecht Crémant d’Alsace Brut, Alsace, France, $20
James Suckling, 90 Points
This wine has an impressive note of apple, peaches, and apricots, and a creaminess to the finish
2018 Domaine Carneros by Tattinger, Carneros, California, $36
Wine Spectator, 93 Points
Elegant, lovely wine, great value, with aromas of white flowers, toast, brioche, and vanilla. This wine comes from the cooling area of Carneros, abutting San Pablo Bay.
Schramsberg Cremant Demi-Sec 2018, North Coast, California, $43
The tour of Schramsberg winery is a “must-see” in Napa Valley. This demi-sec sparkler is one of my recommendations to serve with dessert or a chocolate treat. It features aromas of peach, pineapple, and pear blossom with notes of ginger, marzipan, and brioche.
Jansz Premium Rosé, NV, Tasmania, Australia, $27
91 Points, Wine Spectator
Fresh strawberry, pomegranate, and mandarin orange flavors abound in this refreshing rosé from one of the best producers in Tasmania.
A Champagne and Sparkling Wine Primer
This primer includes terms of Champagne bottle size (Magnum, Balthazar, etc.) and sweetness levels (Brut, demi-sec, etc.). It also includes Champagne and Sparkling terms (NV, Prestige Cuvée, etc.) and types of Champagne producers (NM, Négociant, etc.)
Wine Wanderings Editorial Calendar for 2022. What to Expect?
I have a 2023 planning session happening this week. Articles coming up will include the best of 2022 detailing which article had the most “views.” I have upcoming trips planned to wine countries in Europe: France, Austria, Germany, and Italy, pandemic notwithstanding. Domestic trips might include Oregon, California, Texas, and yes, even North Carolina. Expect some additional cocktail mixology and spirits stories too.
Again, thank you for your support in the second year of Wine Wanderings. It has been my pleasure to write for you. Happy 2023!
Hi Rebecca, In most cases I do find more residual sugar left in the Proseccos than the Cava's. Some of the higher end ones seem dryer to me. Great Questions and Merry Christmas!
Brian, Wonderful other choices. Merry Christmas!