It’s that perfect time of the year to break out the bubbly again. Sparkling wine and champagne are must-haves to properly ring in the New Year. Before we give you a list of good sparkling wine and champagne recommendations, the difference between the two: according to the French, only sparkling wine made in the Champagne region of France may be called champagne. The rest is simply sparkling wine. Now that that’s out of the way…here are a few choice picks at different price points from local connoisseurs:
Kathi Hays of Western Reserve Wines in Solon recommends G rard Bertrand Cremant de Limoux 2009 Brut ($14.99), from southern France. As she describes it, “It’s a great sparkling wine — real floral, with nice citrus and some toast.” For champagne she recommends Duval Leroy Brut ($39.99). “It’s a nice, full-bodied wine, with citrus flavors and some nice toast. It’s a really great value in champagne,” she says.
For sparkling wine, Bret Schwarzman of Pat O’Brien’s of Landerwood, Pepper Pike recommends Lucien Albrecht Cremant d’Alsace Brut Ros ($19.99), from France’s Alsace region. He says, “It has beautiful strawberry notes on the nose, nice little acidity and backbone. It has a real creamy mousse, with small bubbles. The wine has a wonderful flavor profile, and it’s a terrific bargain.” For champagne, his pick is Mumm de Cramant ($69.99). “It’s rich and full-bodied, with nice hints of tasty yeastiness. It’s not as heavy as Bollinger, but not at light as Perrier Jou t. It’s an elegant, beautiful champagne.”
Corey Rozi of Rozi’s Wine House, Lakewood says Sofia Blanc de Blancs ($15.99), from California’s Sonoma County is “real fruit-forward, with a round body and kind of soft, subtle finish.” As for champagne, Veuve Clicquot Brut Yellow Label ($53.99) “is excellent. It has the same kind of soft draw to it [as the Sofia], but it’s not overwhelmingly dry. It has a rounder body that leads to a nice, crisp finish.”
These are just a few of the delicious sparkling wine and champagne picks available to complete your New Year’s Eve party. Remember, everything in moderation, and don’t drink and drive!
