A New Year's Toast

It seems like everyone celebrates with bubbly on New Year's Eve. And maybe it seems that way to us because so many people find their way to our sparkling wine aisles this week. So to help you make the best choice for your needs, we have a quick guide to sparkling wine, and recommendations as well.

Definitions

Champagne is a type of sparkling wine, made in a particular place (the towns in Champagne, France), in a specific way (Methode Champenoise), from certain grapes (usually some combination of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier). Another distinguishing feature of Champagne is that it undergoes secondary fermentation in the bottle. Some domestic producers of sparkling wine call their products "California champagne".

Cremant is sparkling wine from other regions of France.

Prosecco is sparkling wine from the Veneto region of Italy. Made from the Glera grape, it is produced as a still wine, then that wine is moved to a pressurized steel tank with specific amounts of sugar and yeast. The sugar and yeast react to create the carbon dioxide, and the stainless steel tank yields a more fruit-driven sparkling wine.

Cava is typically produced in the Catalonia region of Spain. It has a protected DO status, and any number of local grapes can be used in Cava. A Cava is produced in the Methode Champenoise.

Dry vs. Sweet. There's no right or wrong when choosing a dry (Brut) or sweet (Sec) sparkling wine; let you palate be your guide. From drier to sweeter, the choices typically go from Brut Natural to Brut to Extra Dry to Blanc de Noir to Sec/Sweet. 

Recommendations

We recommend Aubry Brut Champagne. This NV Champagne rated 92 points from Wine Advocate. From the review: "This contains just one-quarter each Chardonnay and Pinot; 45% Meunier; and a mixture of Arbanne, Petit Meslier and Fromenteau (a.k.a. Pinot Gris). Nearly half of it is reserve wine, and more than half of that from a solera going back to 1998. If that sounds like a recipe for delivering complexity, you’re right and won’t be disappointed! Bittersweet perfume suggestive of gentian and iris mingles with intimations of fresh lime and sea breeze that in turn manifest themselves on a seductively silken palate in both juicy, vivacious exuberance and mouthwatering saliva-inducement. A scallop-like sweetly saline and mineral amalgam takes hold in a vibrant finish that leaves me caught between the urge to linger and the urge to take the next sip."

Our staff loved it as well: "A brilliant “value” among Champagne!  Citrus and mineral notes take the lead with green apple and pear flavors in the background.  A slight ginger note takes hold on the finish.  A dry, clean style that has a very attractive green apple juiciness that keeps you coming back for more.  This puts some of the big house Champagnes to shame!" Available at $35.99 in the Bottle Club®.

If you prefer a domestic sparkler, one that is made like Champagne, it's hard to beat Gruet. This is available as a Brut or Blanc de Noir. It's produced in New Mexico by the family of Gilbert Gruet, a Frenchman who produced Champagne in Bethon, France. They began their great American experiment with an experimental vineyard in 1984, and their first bottlings available in 1989.

The Gruet Blanc de Noir rates 90 points from Wine Spectator. The rich and toasty character of the Blanc de Noirs is balanced and superb. Aged for two-year minimum, the palate is developed and shows rich complex flavors. The amazing berry aromas and the creamy texture play a leading role and create a great finesse. Winemaker's Note: A fine salmon color, aggressive mousse and a lovely fruity wine with plenty of immediate charm and toasty aromas. There is also an explosive juicy flavor of raspberry. $13.99 in the Bottle Club®.

The Gruet Brut offers a crisp, and full-bodied sparkling wine, which has developed rich complexity and fine mousse. The allure of toasty finish from twenty-four months on tirage, is a complement to the sophisticated apple and citrus flavor.Winemaker's Note: Brilliant with ultra fine bubbles. A wonderful fine bouquet dominated by green apple and grapefruit flavors. A truly classic house style! A Wine Spectator Best Buy, at only $12.99 in the Bottle Club®.

Scharffenberger Brut is from Mendocino, CA, and rated 90 points from Wine Spectator. Their review: "A delightfully racy sparkler, with tart apple and floral anise aromas leading to zesty lime and lemon flavors, presenting accents of cinnamon and spicy ginger. Drink now." This was also popular with our staff, earning these remarks: "This is good, really good! A vibrant sparkler offering flavors of apple, citrus and spice with a slightly honeyed fruit note. Creamy and full-bodied! Great value!" Only $16.99 in the Bottle Club®.

Juve y Camps Reserva de la Familia is made mainly from the "free-run juice" of Macabeu, Xarel-lo and parellada grapes harvested from our Expiells, Can Massana and La Cuscona estates.

It is an attractive, bright, pale gold cava. Its tiny, abundant bubbles rise up, forming a large number of streams and a stable crown. Deep, intense and elegant, it initially evokes notes of ripe white fruit. Its complexity gradually increases and the aromas typical of long aging then appear. Hints of toast and a certain citrus background complete its distinguished aroma.

Its creamy mousse is perfectly integrated on the palate, making its mouthfeel simultaneously fresh, rounded and evocative. All the aromas found in the glass are displayed in the long finish.

The Reserva de la Familia is a Brut Nature cava. It is a Gran Reserva that has aged for 36 months on average in the bottle. Only $13.99 in the Bottle Club®.

Nicolas Feuillatte Blue Label Brut rated 92 points from Wine Spectator. "Rich and creamy, showing the dried fruit, nut and spice notes of fruitcake, with lemon meringue, quince and honey flavors. Clean citrusy acidity integrates beautifully and provides an elegance to this refined Champagne. Drink now through 2020."

From our staff: "Interesting aromas of lemon and nuts with great visual pearlage. It has a creamy, full and foamy mouthfeel and is classically dry with ginger and orange peel flavors." Only $31.99 in the Bottle Club®.

Zonin Prosecco is produced in Veneto, Italy. Our staff notes: "Fantastic value sparkling wine! This is a clean, easy-going bubbly offering apple and pear flavors with a touch of almond on the soft finish. It's a bright, fun sparkler to enjoy before or during any meal! A great New Year's Eve alternative to Champagne!" Only $9.98 in the Bottle Club®.

Merum Prosecco, also from Italy, is a Vino Spumante, meaning it has a touch of sweetness. This has excellent bubbles that stay around longer than most Proseccos. It has a creamy flavor with soft fruit and nuttiness. Enjoy on its own as an aperitif or in a Bellini or Mimosa. Only $9.96 in the Bottle Club®.