The Holidays are Now! Sip Sparkling Wines, Savor Favorites

The world experienced plenty of “ups and downs” again this year, but one consistent element, in my glass at least, was sparkling wine! Now, I’m ready to celebrate the holidays with another sip of a few favorites. When you’re planning your gatherings or simply want to open a bottle of bubbly for one reason or another (no judging here!) consider the selections (sent as samples) below. Let’s give 2022 a bubbly kick-start!

Pour the Champagne

A particularly special wine this year was Champagne Besserat de Bellefon Bleu Brut, savored as a tribute to my mother who passed from this world in early February. She would have loved each sip paired with her famous recipe for Southern Fried Chicken. The Champagne is of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier cultivated in prime locations of Le Mesnil sur Oger, Chouilly, Cramant, Grauves, Fontaine-Denis, Bisseuil, Bassuet, Boursault, Venteuil, ,Reuil, and Verzenay. The Besserat de Bellefon Bleu Brut offered every. single. element I loved in a glass of Champagne. For my article and fried chicken recipe, click here

Of course, what’s not to love about Rosé Champagne with its holiday hues of all shades of red? Crush On This, the YouTube wine video series of which I’m a member, focused on three sparkling examples that are perfect anytime but even more delicious with friends and family during the holidays.

Sparkling Wines from England

If you’ve never tasted sparkling wine from Chapel Down Winery, you must. My first sip was at the Grand Cru tasting during Chicago Gourmet a couple of years ago and I was impressed. Chapel Down Winery is located in the town of Tenterden, found in the heart of the Kent countryside. They produce English sparkling wines from fruit sourced in the southeast of England and use the traditional method of production, like Champagne, whereby the second fermentation is in the bottle.

Josh Donaghay-Spire, Head Winemaker, stated, “It gives me great pride to be at the forefront of a young and growing industry with Chapel Down. We have a duty to push the boundaries, explore new terroirs, and discover what heights England as a wine producing nation can achieve.” It’s no wonder then that Chapel Down is the United Kingdom’s #1 winery and its wines can be found in numerous countries. Click here for my article then gather the English nibbles for pairing with this elegant wine.

Aromatic Cava from Spain

It’s no secret that Cava is one of the most aromatic and flavorful sparkling wines on the planet. It’s a brilliant choice to pair with any type of foods. Whether you sip Cava with light appetizers, cheeses, hearty or not-so-hearty salads, burgers with all the fixins’, sophisticated holiday entrée, herbed vegetables or desserts, you’ll be truly satisfied. But why? It’s the aromatics! A few years ago, Francois Chartier, an expert in aromas and “Créateur d’Harmonies,” conducted painstaking research and subsequently published what’s now a ground-breaking scientific study. In essence, he uncovered the reasons why “Cava is the best ally of gastronomy and pairs perfectly with an infinity of flavours from around the world.” Click here for four examples you’ll love (especially during a holiday brunch)!

Sparkling Wines from Northern Italy

Asti and Moscato d’Asti from Piemonte, Franciacorta from Lombardy and Prosecco from Veneto are quintessential styles of which most are familiar. But let’s not forget wines from Trentino or Acqui Terme where distinctive wines are produced, too. Click here for a quick guide to sparkling wine from Northern Italy and a few recommendations for you to pour. Cin-cin!

Let’s not forget Lambrusco! You love it, too? There’s a reason it’s a staple in many Italian households. Lambrusco is delightfully refreshing, it pairs beautifully with traditional Italian fare and it’s fun to drink. For decades though, Lambrusco was considered “less than” by many. But now? High quality wines are plentiful (if you know where to look!) and the game has changed. For a few recommendations that will get the holiday party started, click here for my article – delizioso!

Now you’re ready to celebrate the holidays… or any other event you deem sparkling-wine-worthy. For even more suggestions you’ll love, follow the link here for reviews of many sparkling wines sipped and savored through the years.

Cheers! ~ Cindy

For your free infographic, “4 Keys to a Stellar Wine Pick,” click here.