As the holidays approach, it’s a good idea to stock the bar with a few bottles of bubbly for entertaining. The effervescence of sparkling wines seems so appropriate for seasonal celebrations.
But sparkling wines are not just for special occasions. They can be enjoyed any time, and they don’t have to be outrageously expensive.
Champagne is king, of course, but there are many other non-vintage sparkling wines worth drinking, even though they can’t officially call themselves champagne.
“Champagne is appropriate for breakfast, lunch and dinner,” said Jerry Pellegrino, chef-owner of Corks and Abacrombie restaurants. “It’s the most universal wine for food. It goes with everything.”
If one is inclined to splurge, there’s nothing like French champagne. Perrier-Jouet Grand Brut, for example, retails for $30 to $35 a bottle.
For a good, affordable domestic alternative, Pellegrino recommends Gruet Brut from New Mexico, which sells for about $14 a bottle.
Gruet wines are made by a French family that produced fine champagne in Bethon, France, before planting grapes in the States.
Sparkling wines are often served at the beginning of a party, to set a festive mood. Sommelier Marnie Old, director of wine studies for New York’s French Culinary Institute, recommends serving food-friendly Spanish cava, a white or pink sparkler, with hors d’oeuvres.
“Spanish cava is generous in the mouth and not as dry as some sparkling wine styles,” said Old, “providing a friendly disposition perfect for entertaining and cocktail parties.” She recommends Codorniu’s “Pinot Noir,” a rose sparkler that sells for about $15.
Sparkling wines go especially well with desserts. Old and Pellegrino both extolled the Banfi Rosa Regale, an Italian red dessert wine made from the Brachetto d’Acqui grape. “Brachetto is Moscato’s bright red cousin,” said Old, “whose raspberry and strawberry scent carries accents like rose petals and white pepper. Not only can Brachetto grace even the deepest, darkest chocolate dessert, it can be dessert: Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an intoxicating ‘adult float.’ ”
Here are some other sparkling wines recommended by Old, Pellegrino, Epicurious.com and Imbibe magazine. All cost less than $20 for 750 ml.
• Whites: Nino Franco Prosecco Rustico (Italy); Lunetta Prosecco by Cavit (Italy); Mumm Napa Brut Prestige (California); Domaine Ste. Michelle Brut (Washington); Lindauer Brut (New Zealand); Jacob’s Creek Sparkling Chardonnay/Pinot Noir (Australia); Bouvet Brut (France).
• Roses: Schramsberg Mirabelle Brut Rose (California); Charles de Fere Rose (France).
• Reds: Aria Cava Pinot Noir Brut (Spain); Caprari Lambrusco Secco (Italy).
