Christmas is come and gone, and the New Year is just a few days away. Like many people, i am looking forward to 2019 being in the rear view – it’s been a rather undesirable year.
that said, the celebration of friends, family, and the holidays doesn’t need to end! What says celebrate more than a glass of sparkling wine?
Sparkling wine is made all over the world, in a number of styles from any number of varietals. From sweet to bone dry, from ancient methods of secondary fermentation to modern methods that are like a giant soda infusion device, these tongue ticklers can fit all budgets.
Here are just a few to get your celebrations off to a bang!
Altemasi Brut, Trento DOC – I’ve written about my love of the Ferrari Trento DOC before, and this region is exploding with methode classico (also known as méthode traditionalle) sparkling wine, which are among the best in Italy, and quite possibly the world. This corner of northwest Italy is home to sparkling stunners, and this wine is no exception.
This 100% chardonnay is hand picked, and aged sur lie for 15 months. At under $20, it pops out of the glass with white flowers, fresh straw, and a slightly herbal finish with hints of walnut skin. While not terribly complex, it’s a value choice that would be perfect in a French 75 or Negroni Sbagliato (more on that later)!
Ackerman Crémant de Loire Sparkling Cuvée 1811 . The Loire Valley has long produced Crémant de Loire, a sparkling wine that – not being from Champagne, cannot be called Champagne. In this region, the grapes used to make thees decadent fizzies are not typically chardonnay and pinot noir, but rather Chenin Blanc (Vouvray), Cab Franc, and other lesser known sparkling wine contributors. Ackerman, from the area of Saumur, is another excellent example of méthode traditionelle sparking wine, and this bottle is 70% chenin, 20% chard, and 10% cab franc. Hand harvesting is followed by whole cluster pressing with each varietal vinified separately , and then blended before spending 12-18 months sur lie.
The highly aromatic and fruit forward Chenin shines in this blend, bursting with lychee, ripe melon, and vanilla cream. Moderate acidity is hidden under the toasty layer of butter and ripe apple, with bright green fruit in the back of the palate. This is a fun wine to drink and leaves you wanting a second sip! The prefect wine for Prosecco lovers, the wallet friends price of $21 will also please even the scrooge in your crowd.
Moving on from some fun expamples outside of the Champage Box, we come back to the Grande Dame of them all:
One might make the mistake of thinking that Champagne is al the same, but oh – my dear readers – that is so far from the truth. With three primary grapes: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and five distinct growing regions, champagne is as complex as a hillside co-op in Italy. Yes, there are even more grapes allowed in the making of Champers but they are quite rarely used – so for this exercise we’ll assume there are only three.
There are five growing regions to focus on: Côte de Blanc, Valée de la Marne, Montange de Reim, and Côte de Seézanne. These areas are as distinct as the grapes grown there, so be on on the lookout on your label!
I have never heard of this house, so I was excited to get the opportunity to. taste this delicious example of Champagne. The Boizel Brut Réserve Champagne NV is produced from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and is a blend of Grand and Premier Cru vineyards. A smidgeon of my favorite, Pinot Meunier, is also included.
Champagne is complex, and this is no exception. While the best of the best grapes are used, only the first pressing is made in to wine for this bottling and 30% of the two previous vintages are also used in the cuvée to maintain the house style.
Fruity on the outset, ripe white peaches and luscious apple layer with fresh lemon and mandarin and floral notes. Classic toasty brioche makes way for Asian pear, peppered with baking spices. It’s round style lingers in your mouth and the taste of honeysuckle blossoms dripping with nectar hangs in your mouth.
This is a lovely champagne and quite affordable for what it is. The $40 price tag is a great treat but won’t break the bank.
The Tête de Cuvee, or top of the house, selections are often beyond reach for many – but there are some lovely choices that aren’t completely out of bounds. The house Jacquart has two selections that I love.
A grower-producer, and the darling of many a writer and somm, Jacquart is a 5th generation house with 24 hectares of vines in the Côte de Blancs. The Champagne André Jacquart 1er Cru Vertus Blanc de Blancs NV doesn’t disappoint with s bright and lively, with lush green apple and brioche notes. The 100% Chardonnay Blanc de Blanc shows its mineral core with racy acidity hails from the Côte de Blanc, and is everything that a Champagne should be.
Bursting with nutty goodness and toasted brioche, this pale golden elixir has a silky fine mouse. The palate is full of honey, toasted nuts, and fresh brioche with a burst of ginger and finishes with a clean, chalky burst of Meyer lemon and tart green apple. The long lingering finish makes this is a wine I could drink at brunch, dinner, or for a celebration. $45
Champagne André Jacquardt Brut Expérience 1er Cru Blanc De Blancs
This Tete de Cuvee, or best of the best, is a complex blend of Premier Cru Vertus and Grand Cru vineyards, is vinified in both stainless steel and older Burg barrels. There is no malo fermentation, making this birght and lively. Settling down for a 5 year nap before disgorcement, it’s a speical love letter to my heart.
The palest of Rumplestiltskin treasured straw, crisp Granny Smith apples are showing their Chardonnay flair, along with ripe pear and fresh river rocks. This is a beautiful charmer and is everything I love about Chablis, but with bubbles. Steely, crisp, fruit forward and inviting, I will be having another glass of this. $99
Special thanks to Taub Family Selections for providing me with samples to celebrate with!
May your New Year be happy, healthy and safe!
