There’s nothing like popping the cork on a bottle of bubbly when the clock strikes midnight. As the big night approaches, it’s worth learning the differences between sparkling wines to figure out which ones you’re going to purchase to ring in 2013.
Champagnes, Crémants, and traditional method sparkling wines—from the grand to the greatly affordable—special enough for holiday parties.
Please help choose the Palate Press Wine of the Week!
Golden with persistent bubbles. A bright, lightly yeasty nose with fruit and a touch of toast in the flavor, which is creamy and even has a bit of anise. Medium-big body holds up well with foods. Lively citric finish, long, with minerality and then toast at the end. This season it also comes in a little yellow fridge case, which keeps a chilled bottle at drinking temperature for a couple hours if you're traveling to a friend's house. For more info see Becky Sue's website.
Medium salmon-pink, fine mousse. Delightful
light yeast, fruit, and toast in aroma which intensifies in the flavor. The finish is moderately long with raspberry and tart blackberry and mineral-citric edges. The fruit becomes more pronounced with food, especially with a great pairing like lobster. This season the rosé is packaged with a pink zippered cover which keeps a chilled bottle cooled to the correct temperature for drinking, for a good two hours. For more info see Becky Sue's blog.
I think wine lovers should take this opportunity to confront a common demon: French wine.