If you’re not celebrating with Sparkling Wines the Holidays, can we call it Holidays? Sparkling Wines are synonymous with Celebration! This year, 2021, is bittersweet because we got that vaccine that allowed us to get together again, but with many variants going and the distribution of vaccine, getting challenging has left us with a bittersweet taste. Hence, let’s clean our minds and palates with the recommended 10 Sparkling Wines for the Holidays.
In 2021, I tasted so many different wines. Compared to other years, I got even more out of the typical recommendations from years past. Therefore, I went above and beyond to keep track of the favorite Sparkling wines that I have tasted among many wine tasting and events this year. I hope you can get any if not all of them!
La Gioiosa Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore NV- 750 ml. SRP $16
The perfect sparkling wine to enhance your holiday meal and fill your home with Italian Joy is Prosecco. And specifically La Gioiosa Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG. The Consortium DOCG Prosecco has done a fantastic job, and many producers, such as La Gioiosa stepping out and wide-spreading the quality of the hills of Prosecco. Valdobbiadene area is a beautiful hillside in Veneto, Italy, with vines that grow on the mountain and Top Quality Prosecco that are 100% handmade. The quality of this Prosecco is more detectable on the palate with such roundness and harmonious finish. La Gioiosa Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG is joy in a glass. Specifically, this wine can be served as an aperitif and get going on throughout an entire seafood meal.
Café de Paris Blanc de Blancs Brut NV -750 ml. SRP $12
Café de Paris is a Blanc de Blanc made in Saint-André de Cubzac, in the Bordeaux region. Café de Paris Brut was my first Bordeaux Brut, and I knew through tasting it with many layers of flavors that it was a bang for one’s buck. And of course, it was with such a grape blend: Sauvignon, Ugni-Blanc, Semillion, Chardonnay, Chenin, and Colombard. So many flavors of layers start with a refreshing burst of lime, pear a hint of brioche followed by fine bubbles.
Marenco Scrapona Moscato D’Asti 2019 – 750 ml. SRP $22
I had the pleasure to get introduced to Marenco Wines recently. Located in Piemonte, a family-owned winery focused on sustainability had an amazing Moscato D’Asti available in the USA that I have ever tried. In the past, I had recommended Moscato D’Asti DOCG, and I am doing it again because until you try the highest classification of quality on Moscato D’Asti as done with this Marenco, you will understand Piemonte Moscato. Such an aromatic Sparkling Wine made of Moscato grapes with aromas of peach, sage, orange blossom, and delicate bubbles. Serve with desserts such as fruit tart and light angel cake and enjoy the final course of the meal but most important for some of us: dessert!
Ten of Cups Brut NV -750 ml. SRP $30
I had the pleasure to get introduced to Marenco Wines recently. Located in Piemonte, a family-owned winery focused on sustainability had an amazing Moscato D’Asti available in the USA that I have ever tried. In the past, I had recommended Moscato D’Asti DOCG, and I am doing it again because until you try the highest classification of quality on Moscato D’Asti as done with this Marenco, you will understand Piemonte Moscato. Such an aromatic Sparkling Wine made of Moscato grapes with aromas and flavors of peach, sage, orange blossom, and delicate bubbles. Serve with desserts such as fruit tart and light angel cake and enjoy the final course of the meal but most important for some of us: dessert!
René Briand Sparkling Rosé Brut NV-750 ml. SRP $14
My Rosé Lovers Rejoice! This Brut Rosé with hints of red apple, red berries, and delicate bubbles will give you a hint of summer in your glass but with a character that we need to get the party started. Serve this as an aperitif or some soft, hard cheeses.
René Briand was launched in 2021 by Cognac One and celebrated the creators breaking boundaries. Hence, let’s toast to the creative economy that will continue to grow in 2022.
Frizzante Rosé Paul-D Vineyard NV – 750 ml SRP $16
Let’s continue rejoicing with Rosé but with one of the Let’s continue rejoicing with Rosé but with one of the most vibrant wine regions I have enjoyed learning about this year: Austria. This is a Frizzante Rosé made out 70% Grüner Veltliner, 20% Zweigelt, 5% Müller Thurgau, 2% Riesling, 1% Muskateller, 1% Frühroter Veltliner, 1% Roter Veltliner. What a blend! It is a Frizzante, so expect lighter bubbles but a burst of red berry flavors and a crisp finish. Pair with cucumber Canapes, Salmon, Soft Cheeses such as Goat Cheese, and even Chocolates.
Schlumberger Sekt Grüner Veltliner Brut NV – 750 ml. SRP $25
Sparkling Grüner Veltliner was a great discovery of this year! The acidity and citrus flavors of the still Grüner are of course present on this Sparkling as the result of the rigorous selection of Grüner Veltliner grapes from one Sparkling Grüner Veltliner was a great discovery of this year! The acidity and citrus flavors of the still Grüner are present on this Sparkling due to the rigorous selection of Grüner Veltliner grapes from one single vintage for this Schlumberger specialty. The fine bubbles and roundness of the mouthfeel enhance it and make it special and unique. Pair with fresh salads, seafood specialties, and mild Asian plates.
Velenosi Vini Passerina Brut NV-750 ml. SRP $20
What else can I say about Velenosi Vini Passerina Brut that I haven’t said already? I have recommended this Sparkling Wine List in previous years, but packaging got an upgrade this year, and the bottle keeps getting cuter. The production of Passerina Brut takes place in the new Tuscany, Le Marche, Italy. It’s a very refreshing wine with flavors of white peaches, a hint of lemon and white flowers. Therefore, it is so easy to enjoy that it can become dangerous. It pairs deliciously with shrimps, tempura vegetables, or just by itself.
Alta Vista Premium Extra Brut NV– 750 ml. SRP $19
2021 is the first year I got more interested in the dosage (or residual sugar), and Brut Nature has become one of my absolute favorites (0g or less than .1 g of sugar). Meaning this Sparkling wine is bone dry, and as it can get, and the flavors of white peach and herbs are deliciously present on this 100% of Argentinian Chardonnay. Alta Vista Brut Nature is a wine that surprised me because we do not often see the White Side of Argentinean but rather the Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon side, so I had to say it was a great surprise an enjoyable one. Hence, serve this to your most challenging family and friends. Tell them it is from Argentina for instant jaw drops.
Aymar Brut Nature NV-750 ml. SRP $25.99
Another Brut Nature but this one from Spain. A classic Penedes that is not a Cava but rather a DO Penedes. I loved this Sparkling Brut that I had the pleasure to serve during Spain’s Great Match.I Immediately recognized the great quality and had to include it on the 10 Sparkling Wines for the Holidays 2021. It has a long and persistent finish that is hard to forget. The aromas have hints of peach, lemon, pomegranate, and freshly baked bread. You are on for a treat with Aymar Brut Nature.
If you get lucky, you can get Champagne on a Champagne shortage. It would be best to go for the best Champagne you can get, Comtes de Champagne from Taittinger.
Champagne Taittinger Comtes 2011 – 750 ml. SRP $190
The Champagne Taittinger Comtes 2011 is the king and queen of Champagnes released this year. It has a full mouthfeel; acidity is on point to drink now as it already has spent ten years on the bottle. There are many layers of flavors on the palate, starting with a fresh floral profile, minerality and brioche, and creaminess for a full rounded finish.
