We have 20 Sparkling Wines for the Holidays!
A toast is a tradition that helps start every holiday gathering. However, this year, I want to share a vision that has been on my mind for the entire year. Sparkling wine is more than just a celebratory drink; it has a food-friendly side that often goes unnoticed because we tend to reserve it for toasts alone. I invite you to give sparkling wine a chance to showcase how wonderfully it pairs with food.
Sparkling wine embodies a harmonious blend of enthusiasm and complexity. These characteristics make it an ideal companion for a variety of culinary experiences. Its bright, bubbly character enhances the flavors of elegant starter. For instance, succulent shrimp cocktails, where the wine’s crispness balances the richness of the seafood. Also withartisanal cheese boards featuring creamy brie and tangy blue cheese.
For the main course, sparkling wine pairs beautifully with many dishes. Elevate an herb-marinated roasted chicken, where refreshing acidity complements the savory herbs and juicy meat. Lightly grilled or deep-fried fish also benefit from the wine’s lively bubbles, creating a delightful contrast on the palate.
When it comes to dessert, sparkling wine truly shines. Imagine a luscious fruit tart, where the wine’s crispness harmonizes with the fruit’s tartness. Also with a decadent chocolate mousse, where the effervescence cleanses your palate between bites, allowing for an indulgent experience. Whether hosting an intimate dinner party or enjoying a casual meal at home, the right sparkling wine can transform each course into a memorable culinary adventure.
Festive and Fun: The pop of a cork and the effervescence in the glass instantly create a celebratory atmosphere
Food-Friendly: Sparkling wine’s acidity and bubbles cut through rich dishes and cleanse the palate, making it a perfect pairing for everything from appetizers to desserts.
Versatile: From dry and crisp to fruity and sweet, sparkling wine is for every taste and occasion.
It was my first time trying Champagne Delamotte, Brut NV Le Mesnil sur Oger, and I couldn’t believe it took me so long to try it. Their Brut style is exquisite, creamy, lush, and refreshing.
Tasting Notes: This wine is elegant and refined, with citrus, green apple, and brioche notes. It pairs well with oysters, shrimp cocktails, or goat cheese.
Why we love this wine: Champagne Delamotte, Brut NV, Le Mesnil sur Ogeris is a classic example of elegance and finesse, perfect for those who appreciate a balanced and refined palate.
How will we pair it for the holidays? Its crisp acidity and delicate flavors make it a superb match for holiday appetizers like oysters, shrimp cocktails, or even a cheese plate with goat cheese.It also works with a decadent chocolate dessert as a contrast pairing, cleansing your palate between bites.
Champagne Delamotte, Brut NV Le Mesnil sur Oger will create a contrast pairing with a Chocolate Dessert.
This Brut Rosé only has a hint of red fruit character provided by the Pinot Noir. However, this blend is mostly Chardonnay. It offers a crisp structure and a delicious and persistent finish.
Tasting Notes: Delicate and fresh, with aromas of red berries and a hint of spice, this wine pairs well with Smoked salmon, charcuterie, or fruit tarts.
Why we love this wine: The beautiful pale pink color and the delicate red fruit notes make this rosé a festive choice.
How will we pair it for the holidays? A Christmas morning brunch with smoked salmon and blinis would be perfect! It also pairs beautifully with a charcuterie board, deep-fried fish, or a fruit tart for dessert
Consider Champagne Delamotte in the Brut or Rose styles for Christmas brunch or seafood lunch.
I have pronounced many times before how devoted I am to Piper-Heidsieck. This producer stands out for being the first to obtain the B-Corp, maintaining sustainable vineyards and overall production with excellent quality. This Rosé Sauvage expression is a bold style with character for those who are more into rich bold Champagnes.
Tasting Notes: Bold and expressive with notes of raspberry, cherry, and a touch of toast.
Why we love this wine: This is a more decadent style of Sparkling rosé with a bolder flavor profile, perfect for those who like a bit more intensity.
How will we pair it for the holidays? Bring this out for New Year’s Eve with a decadent chocolate dessert! Its richness can also stand up to main courses. Dominated by Pinot Noir, it pairs well with Spicy Asian cuisine, charcuterie, grilled lamb, chocolate mousse, and fruity desserts. The suggested retail price for this one is $75.
Champagne Piper-Heidsieck Rosé Sauvage NV is a bold rich Champagne.
The creaminess of this Champagne pairs decadently with fruit tarts.
This year, I enjoyed meeting the people behind the Champagne Pommery and tasting many of their cuvees. I am pleased to add this Brut to my list of favorites. At an excellent price point, it will be a pleasure to share it with friends and family.
Tasting Notes: Champagne Pommery Brut Royal NV is a classic expression that is balanced with flavors of green apple, pear, and a hint of minerality.
Why we love this wine: Pommery Brut Royal is a reliable and versatile champagne that offers excellent quality for the price.
How will we pair it for the holidays? This bubbly is perfect for Thanksgiving dinner . It can carry on with appetizers such as oysters Rockefellerall the way to roast turkey and apple pie. If you preffer you can also pair it with roasted chicken and creamy pasta dishes. The suggested retail price is $59.
Dare to try Oysters Rockefeller and Pommery Royal Cuvee !
The House style is quite traditional, with a long cellar aging and all the Champagne grapes. (70% Chardonnay, 15% Pinot Meunier and 15% Pinot Noir.) Champagne Mandois Brut NV, besides pairing deliciously with light plates, is an affordable option, so you can even get a case if you are expecting your extended family.
Tasting Notes: Crisp and refreshing with notes of citrus, white flowers, and a subtle minerality.
Why we love this wine: From a family-owned champagne house committed to organic practices, this bottle is one you can feel good about drinking.
How will we pair it for the holidays? Its refreshing character makes it ideal for a holiday brunch or as an aperitif with lighter appetizers, seafood, salads, or fruit platters.
You might find this at your liquor store for $50.
Château De Bligny Grand Rosé is an elegant and lively Champagne that impresses even the most demanding guests.
Tasting Notes: This wine is complex and layered, with aromas of brioche, almond, and chalk, with its soft pink hue and an intricate bouquet of fresh red berries, citrus undertones, and delicate floral notes.
Why we love this wine: Its lively bubbles and well-balanced combination of fruitiness and acidity make it the perfect beverage for celebrating festive occasions.
How will we pair it for the holidays? It complements light appetizers like shrimp cocktail and smoked salmon for Christmas brunch with lox and everything bagels and acouturements. Complements fresh salads with citrus, roast turkey or chicken, and glazed pork. Vegetarian options like grilled vegetables and soft cheeses like camembert also work well alongside desserts such as fruit tarts.
Available for $74.99 at wine.com
Louis Roederer is a big-name house in Champagne that is very well known for their premium offering, Cristal. However, if that’s out of your range but still you want to splurge a bit for the holidays and get an amazing find, look no more and get Champagne Louis Roederer Collection 245 Brut. It is a blend that is a masterpiece. It is so lush, crisp chalky, and has brioche flavors and departs from your mouth with elegant finish that I couldn’t help but recognize their mastery in blending.
Tasting Notes: This wine is complex and layered, with aromas of brioche, almond, chalk, and citrus fruit. It pairs well with Lobster, foie gras, or aged cheese.
Why we love this wine: Roederer consistently delivers exceptional quality, and this cuvée is no exception. It’s a complex and age-worthy Champagne.
How will we pair it for the holidays? This special occasion bottle is perfect for a luxurious Christmas Eve dinner with lobster or foie gras.
Louis Roederer Collection 2045 Brut NV
Feast of the seven fishes? If the answer is yes then due to the complexity and minerality on this Champagne, it will be you go to.
As a Cava Educator, I have always tasted Cavas, and it is very important to share the ones that I consider to be excellent. Marques de Caceres is a Spanish producer with a long-standing reputation for their reds, and they are offering an affordable and quality Cava that doesn’t leave any aftertaste but shines bright and is deliciously Mediterranean and versatile. Think crisp, easy to drink, and on the drier side.
Why we love this wine: This Cava is a crowd-pleaser, offering delicious fruit flavors and a pleasant dryness at a very affordable price.
How will we pair it for the holidays? It’s versatile enough for a casual tapas party or with a more elaborate paella feast if Turkey or Ham is not your jam.
Marques de Caceres and Seafood for the Holidays is a delicious pairing.
If you want to skip Turkey, Cava and Paella are also a delicious holiday pairing.
On top of the delicious Cava that you get and aged Sparkling Wine with bold, rich notes of honey and bread yet crisp, Segura Viudas Cava Reserva Heredad has a stunning bottle that would also make a great addition to your holiday table.
Tasting Notes: Slightly smoky with hints of honey and ripe fruit.
Why we love this wine: This Cava has a unique smoky note that adds complexity and pairs well with a variety of dishes.
How will we pair it for the holidays? Celebrate Hanukkah with this Cava alongside latkes and applesauce. Also, you can add it to your Thanksgiving appetizer table as it pairs with roasted peppers and hummus dip, grilled vegetables, or Manchego cheese. This is a steal for only $30.
This Blanc de Blanc is made for those who love the crispest and most refreshing expression, which is great to pair with food. On top of it, Codorníu, the producer is the founder of Sparkling Spanish wine Cava and continues delivering quality. This is my husband’s favorite and can be your husband’s favorite, too. It’s easy, very easy to drink, and affordable, which makes it great for large gatherings.
Tasting Notes: Crisp and elegant with citrus, green apple notes, and a subtle minerality.
Why we love this wine: This is an excellent value, Cava, offering crisp acidity and elegant flavors at an affordable price.
How will we pair it for the holidays? Anna de Codorníu is perfect for a Christmas Eve seafood feast . Also as a refreshing aperitif with holiday appetizers, salads, focaccia bread and balsamic vinaigrette, or fruit tarts.
Anna de Codorníu Blanc de Blancs Reserva is excellent for a starter with focaccia and olive oil.
This is a 2018 Gran Reserva Cava with development flavors that are elegant and balanced it is the star of the Cava section of this Sparkling Wine List. It can carry over from appetizers to desserts, complementing a wide range of dishes.
Tasting Notes: Complex and nuanced with aromas of brioche, almond, and a hint of spice. Pair with Roasted poultry, mushroom dishes, or creamy desserts.
Why we love this wine: This Gran Reserva Cava offers complexity and depth of flavor, making it an excellent choice for special occasions.
How will we pair it for the holidays? It’s a wonderful choice for a holiday meal as it can carry on from appetizers to desserts. Imagine this with roasted pepper tapas followed by roasted poultry or creamy side dishes to finalize with a manchego cheese plate and fig jam.
Meet Gelida, an Organic Cava that carries from appetizers to dessert.
Manchego and Fig Jam will be a good appetizer or dessert to pair with a bold Cava like Gelida from Vins el Cep
In years past, you might have noticed I was inclined to Prosecco, but this year, I carefully selected only one of my top favorites: Valdo Prosecco Superiore. It’s still on the fruity side but with a more robust, developed and elegant palate that can surprise the most exigent guests on your holiday gathering.
Tasting Notes: Light and refreshing, with notes of pear, apple, almond, and a hint of floral, this wine pairs well with fruit platters, light appetizers, or brunch dishes.
Why we love this wine: Valdo is a well-respected Prosecco producer, and this Superiore offers a step up in quality with its delicate fruit and floral notes.
How will we pair it for the holidays? This is a perfect bottle for a holiday brunch or to serve with lighter appetizers.
Gloria Ferrer is my husband’s favorite Sparkling Wine from California, and every time he goes to Total Wine, I know he will come back with a bottle of their Sonoma line. However, this Royal Cuvée Brut 2016 is a premium choice and is organic, made with carefully selected grapes, and blended by their winemaker, Kyle Altomare. It is so elegant, complex, crisp, and bright that you will understand why my husband can have enough of it.
Tasting Notes: This wine is aged on the lees for four and a half years, enhancing its complexity and effervescence. It presents aromas of fresh citrus and red apple, accompanied by a hint of brioche in the background.
Why we love this wine: Gloria Ferrer makes consistently excellent sparkling wines in California, and this Brut offers a step up by being organic and having a nice balance of fruit and complexity.
How will we pair it for the holidays: Versatile enough for various holiday gatherings, from casual appetizers to a sit-down dinner. Think of an elegant cheese board with olives, chips, and chorizo for your Christmas ham or even tamales.
Gloria Ferrer exceptional offerings from Carneros are the American Bubbly you have to add to your Holiday Celebration.
There is a new Sparkling Cuvée Brut Rosé in the market! Gloria Ferrer is perfecting the art of Carneros Sparkling wines, offering excellent, remarkable bubbly. Furthermore, this Sparkling wine offers more red fruit flavors and accentuated spice notes, and the bottle is stunning.
Tasting Notes: Delicate and fruity with aromas of strawberry, raspberry, and a hint of spice.
Tasting Notes: Delicate and fruity with aromas of strawberry, raspberry, and a hint of spice.
Why we love this wine: Another solid offering from Gloria Ferrer, this rosé has delightful red fruit flavors and a touch of spice.
How will we pair it for the holidays? It would be excellent with a charcuterie board or a celebratory drink with dessert.
What type of Wine Educator would I be if I did not highlight what we have in our backyard? I had the pleasure of visiting Dr. Konstantin Frank in Finger Lakes this past spring, and I was absolutely enamored by their sparkling wines. They are a great addition to your holiday table for their pairing notes that complement desserts or contrast spicy Asian cuisine.
Tasting Notes: This wine is off-dry, with ripe peach, apricot, and a hint of honey.
Why we love this wine: This off-dry sparkling wine is a unique and delicious option with stone fruit flavors and a touch of sweetness.
How will we pair it for the holidays? Its slight sweetness makes it a lovely complement for fruit tarts or an apple crumble or cheesecake. It will also contrast the spicy flavors of Asian cuisine.
Dr. Konstantin Frank is a pioneer wine producer in Finger Lakes, New York.
Tasting Notes: Expressive with baked apple, bread, and toast aromas.
Why we love this wine: This is a fantastic example of American sparkling wine made in the traditional method, offering complexity and richness.
How will we pair it for the holidays: A perfect accompaniment to a holiday meal with roasted poultry, creamy pasta dishes, or mushroom risotto. It will also pair with salmon and cranberry sauce.Excellent price point at $29.99 in New York.
For the first time in my Sparkling Wine Lists, I am adding Latin American Bubbles because Latin America is paying attention to the trend and consumption of Sparkling Wines, and having great soil and winemaking, we will see more of these on our shelves. Moreover, the quality and pairing options are endless as Latin American cuisine is exquisite and gaining popularity. Tamales and Sparkling Wines? Yes! Please, we need more of that.
Tasting Notes: Fruity and refreshing with notes of red berries and a hint of floral.
Why we love this wine: Made with the Pais grape, this unique rosé offers a taste of Chile with its refreshing fruit character.
How will we pair it for the holidays? This rosé paired with grilled seafood, spicy Latin American dishes, or ceviche will add a South American flair to your holiday.
Made with the Pais grape, this unique rosé offers a taste of Chile.
Tasting Notes: Crisp and dry, with notes of citrus, green apple, and subtle minerality.
Why we love this wine: This crisp and refreshing sparkling wine from Argentina . Moreover, it is perfect for those who prefer a dry style.
How will we pair it for the holidays? Serve it with empanadas or other Latin-inspired appetizers.
Tasting Notes: Dry and refreshing with notes of apple, pear, and a hint of spice.
Why we love this wine: This cider offers a non-grape option for sparkling enjoyment with dry, refreshing flavors.
How will we pair it for the holidays? A great alternative to wine, this cider pairs well with cheese plates, charcuterie, or roasted pork. Also, is a great option for the non-alcohol drinkers on your holiday table.
Martha Cisneros Paja is a wine educator, founder of Latinas Wine Club Inc. and author of Mexican Wines: A guide to Fall in Love with Wines of Mexico . Read more about one of the most hard-working Latinas in Wine here.
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
