Welcome to Sparkling Wine Week

Not as dramatic as Shark Week, but we think that Champagne Sparkling Wine Week is much more delicious. With New Year's Eve just a few days away, we thought we'd offer some thoughts on the bubbly. How about some basic definitions to start?

Champagne is a specific type of sparkling wine, made a certain way, from specific grapes, in the Champagne region of France. There are still a few products that use the name "California Champagne" (like Korbel), to prevent any possible confusion.

Cremant is the name associated with sparkling wines from other regions of France, such as Alsace or the Loire. We have a nice selection of these sparkling wines, which are typically at a very affordable price.

Prosecco is Italian sparkling wine. Principally made from the Glera grape, from northeastern Italy.

Asti/Asti Spumante/Spumante are essentially interchangeable categories of sweet sparkling wines from Italy. Verdi and Martini & Rossi fit here.

Cava is Spanish sparkling wine, from Catalonia. Cava can be rose or white, and is made from indigenous grapes like the macabeu.

Domestic Sparkling Wine. Many of our domestic producers (Gruet, Mumm Napa, Schramsburg and others) do make their sparkling wine in "Methode Traditionelle," which mimics the way Champagne is made (secondary fermentation in bottle, etc.). There are a number of Champagne producers, such as Mumm, Roederer and Tattinger, who product Methode Traditionelle sparkling wines in California, in the $20 range.

With that brief outline, here are some sparkling wines that we think will rule this New Year's Eve. Or any time you want some bubbly.

Vollereaux Brut Champagne. "Rich and refined, with layers of pear pastry, black cherry, hazelnut, lemon cream, honey and floral notes. A spicy thread of minerality winds through this wine, as does the precise and seamlessly integrated acidity." - Wine Spectator, 92 points.

This is a very recent addition, and we have a limited supply. Only $28.99 in the Bottle Club®.

Isabelle Brut Classique. Lawrenceville Senior Wine Manager Brandon Bartfalvi's review: "A deliciously tempting sparkling wine from New Mexico. This full-bodied sparkler offer flavors green apple and pear with a bit of toastiness on the finish. Dry, crisp and refreshing!"

Isabelle is made in the traditional Champagne style. One of our Preferred Selection wines, Isabelle is available for only $16.97 in the  Bottle Club®.

Fioretti Prosecco. A classic prosecco showing a light and refreshing palate filled with apple and pear flavors and a hint of floral notes. The persistent bubbles are refreshing and delicate ending in a clean finish.

Please check our Bottle Club® email this week, as we'll have special offers on other sparkling wines in this lead-up to New Year's Eve.