Got Champagne?
I admit that I know very little about Champagne. The only things I know are that I really don’t care where it comes from, be it the actual Champagne or a Sparkling Wine from somewhere else and I don’t like anything that is sweet.
I usually walk into my local wine shop and tell the person that I don’t want it sweet, it can’t be too expensive (under $30) and ask if there are any trends or recommendations. They tell me a bunch of stuff, most of which I don’t understand and I say something like, “Oooo, pink!”. I then buy a bottle and go.
I think that most of the Champagne/Sparkling Wine drinkers are like me. Jenna Wolf from The Today Show recently met up with our favorite Sommelier, Stephen Asprinio from Top Chef. He gave her a little Champagne 101, but it was more fluff then substance.
Edward Deitch, a wine columnist for MSNBC helps us bring in the 2008 with Beyond the Champagne Bubble: Make Your New Year’s Pop! 5 Sparkling Wines.
As he points out, Champagne is the gold standard, but tends to be more expensive especially with the weakness of the dollar. Edward’s recommendations range from $8….yes, that is $8… on up to $45:
Cristalino Rosé Brut Cava, Penedes, Spain, $8 All Sparkling Wines from Spain are called Cava. They are available in white and rose (ooo, pink!). Just remember that Brut means that it is very dry.
Mionetto Prosecco Brut, Veneto, Italy, $9
Prosecco is Italy’s most famous Sparkling Wine and has grown a following in the US recently (maybe due to the popularity of one of our favorite Italian-American Families). Edward says it is like biting into a green apple, which happens to be my favorite type of apple. You will taste that tartness as it goes down.
Gruet Brut, New Mexico, $14
He discovered this not too long ago and was surprised at what has come out of this region. The Gruet family are from France and make Champagne as well.
Francois Pinon Vouvray, Loire Valley, France, $24
Vouvray is known for its Sparkling and nonsparkling white wine. This Sparkling Wine is almost as significant as Champagne.
Pol Roger Champagne, France, $35-$45
This has a dry, complex and more refined flavor and comes from one of the most popular wine houses in the Champagne region.
Edward Deitch is a 2007 James Beard Recipient for Best Multimedia Writing. He will be hosting a segment on The Today Show this Sunday, December 30.
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POSTED IN: Entertaining, Holidays, Wine
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