Fave Bubbly Beyond NYE
With another NYE in the books, Champagne and sparkling wine is front and center. But have you ever thought about making sparklers your ‘go to’ wine of choice all year long? I’m a huge fan of all things sparkling (wine being no exception) and am on a crusade to make it less about special occasions and more about elevated daily living. It also just so happens to pair surprisingly well with a variety of foods and has an ever increasing amount of quality options at accessible price points, so what’s not to love?! It’s in this spirit that I present to you three of my current favorites…
Crémant has the creaminess of Champagne and the brightness of Prosecco making it nothing short of perfection. Which is why The Furst Crémant d’Alsace (made by the OG producers) is my first pick and definitely got my attention at first sip. With notes of apple, pear and lemon zest, it pairs well with just about everything making it the perfect bottle to always have on hand. Crémant btw is made using the same method as Champagne with its own strict set of regulations meaning it’s just as consistently delicious at a fraction of the price (#win-win). If you’re looking for that ‘go to’ bottle, then this should definitely be on your list.
Prosecco is understandably popular with its Sunday brunch associations and dreamy Italian origins, but contrary to popular belief it’s not all created equal. (Sub) region and style (level of sweetness) play a huge role in what you’re pouring from the bottle. Which brings me to my next pick, Il Colle Brut (very dry) Prosecco with its bone-dry bubbles and superior designation (highest quality). Warning #1: this is is not your mimosa Prosecco! Warning #2: after popping this bottle you may never think of Prosecco the same way again (which is a good thing I promise). So save the OJ, drink it straight up, and be prepared to fall in love with Prosecco all over again.
Fun Fact: Prosecco is made from the Glera grape. ‘Prosecco’ is another designated region (vs varietal) meaning that in order to be called Prosecco (vs sparkling wine), it must be produced in one of nine provinces in the Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia regions of Italy. Salute!
And last, but certainly not least (because this honestly just might be my very favorite of the bunch), I want to introduce you to a wine like none I’ve ever tried before: Living Roots Session Sparkling White. It’s incredibly crushable (or sippable if you have restraint) with it’s low ABV (8%), mellow body and effervescent bubbles. It’s silky and smooth and I dare say a little bit romantic with its white peach and floral notes (just try it) and I’m pretty sure it will never fall from my list of favorites. It’s a ‘pét nat’ (pétillant naturel) which is a natural wine that ferments (and turns bubbly) in the bottle, sustainable, and made using an American hybrid grape (Elvira) which, if you ask me, just makes it all the more special. Santé!