Bubbles and Holidays 2023
Including a Champagne Primer, Toasting and Serving Guidelines, 7 Impressive 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. Chilling, Opening, and Serving sparkling wine - instructions are below.
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 below: A Champagne Primer (attached for downloading) which also discusses wine sweetness levels, bottle sizes, style, and production.
See 7 Recommended Impressive Sparklers below for new suggestions. Whatever you decide to spend on bubbles for the holidays, there are many choices from around the world.
A sparkler makes a great hostess gift for holiday parties, especially New Year’s Eve. For other suggests, please read: “Holiday Gifting Guide, Wine-Style 2023,” December 5, 2023 at Wine Wanderings.
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. Food & Wine Magazine call them “the Unsung Hero of French Sparkling Wine.”
Italy Sparklers
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. See a recommendation below.
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.”
The rest of the new world makes impressive sparklers: South Africa, New Zealand Tasmania, Chile, and even sparkling Shiraz from Australia.
Of course, some of the lower end sparkling wines use the carbonation method of production (like a cola). Buyer beware!
“I only drink Champagne on two occasions: when I am in love and when I’m not.” - Coco Chanel
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.
Opening
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.
Serving
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.
“In success you deserve it and in defeat, you need it…Remember gentlemen, it’s not just France we are fighting for, it’s Champagne.”
– Winston Churchill
Sparkler Food Pairing
Food pairing for Champagne spans from appetizers to main courses and desserts. Pair Champagne with Oysters Rockefeller and Smoked Salmon toast 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.
“Come quickly, I’m tasting the stars!”
– Dom Perignon shouts to his fellow monks regarding his Champagne
The Champagne Toast
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
Dom Perignon Vintage with Gift Box 2013, Champagne, France, $300
Decanter Magazine, 98 Points
This is 2013 vintage Dom is the top of the house hedonistic release cuvée. The aging imparts a depth and power to the wine that has complex aromas of dried apricot, honey, and hazelnuts. 51% Pinot Noir, 49% Chardonnay.
Billecart-Salmon Brut Rose, NV Champagne, France, $100
Wine Spectator, 92 Points
I had a wonderful tour here in August. I highly appreciated the quality and hospitality of our hosts. 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. It is my personal top choice for a rosé Champagne.
Val d’Oca ‘Rive di San Pietro di Barbozza’ Brut, DOCG Prosecco Superiore di Valdobbiadene, $45
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.
2018 Bellavista Franciacorta Teatro La Scala Brut, Franciacorta, Italy, $50
James Suckling, 95 Points
Don’t miss visiting the historic opera house, La Scala, when you go to Milan. To take you there virtually, you’ll love this Franciacorta sparkler. The bubbles are super fine and this wine has floral notes and citrus fruit aromas.
Lucien Albrecht Crémant d’Alsace Brut Rose, Alsace, France, $19
James Suckling, 90 Points
This wine has an impressive note of apple, peaches, and apricots, and a creaminess to the long finish.
2014 Schramsberg J Schram Blancs, North Coast, California, $145
Wine Spectator, 94 Points
Elegant, lovely wine, great value, with aromas of golden apple, lemon, and poached pear combined with the nuances of Belgian waffle and vanilla cake. The fruitful acidity and bright, long finish make this my premier Napa Valley sparkler recommendation.
The tour of Schramsberg winery is a “must-see” in Napa Valley. See below. We had an exceptional tour this October of the winery and caves in Napa Valley. Thank you, Matt Levy, for the thorough tour and tasting which included some vintage surprises. Don’t forget to visit the Schramsberg still winery, Davies Vineyards, while you are in the Valley, as they make some of my favorite Cabernet Sauvignon.
Jansz Premium Rosé, NV, Tasmania, Australia, $26
Wine Spectator, 91 Points
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 2024. What to Expect?
I have a 2024 planning session happening this week. Articles coming up will include the best of 2023 detailing which article had the most views and comments.
“Thank you for your support in this, the third year of Wine Wanderings. I am overwhelmed by the comments and interest by you, the subscriber. It has been my pleasure to write for you. Happy New Year!”
- Tricia Conover, DipWSET, CSS, Editor