MOSCATO D’ASTI
This Italian sparkling wine is made in the Piemonte region of northwest Italy with Moscato bianco grapes. It is known to be a dessert wine. It is slightly fizzy, softly sweet, and unusually low alcohol. The bubbles are derived from peach, orange blossom, and nectarine and are the classic flavors you’ll find in a moscato. Recommendations: Vietti Moscato, $18 - Centorri Moscato, $12 - Saracco Moscato, $18
CAVA
This Spanish sparkling wine is produced using the traditional method. It is usually made from the macabeu, parellada and xarel-lo grapes. Cava can be a great substitute for Champagne by offering a terrific bubbly for half the price. Recommendations: Maestres 1312 Cava Brut, $18 - Ana Codorneiu Cava Rose, $13 Segura Viudas Riserva, $24
DOMESTIC
California, Oregon, and even Washington turn out some amazing bubbly in the method champenois style. Some producers have elevated to cult status with their consistent high ratings and praise. Schramburg Blancs des Blancs Brut, CA, $25 - Gruet Brut, NM, $18 Argyle Brut, OR, $25
SERVING
Believe it or not, bubbly does not have to be served in flutes. Regular white wine glasses will easily serve the same purpose. For the ideal experience, however, champagne flutes are recommended. These tall, narrow vessels help retain the carbonation as long as possible, and show off the strings of bubbles as they rise up the glass. This shape also keeps hands away from the bowl to maintain cool temperatures. Sparkling wine should be chilled before using, but never put a bottle in the freezer. Overly cold champagne can change the flavors and can ruin a classic bottle. Also, be careful when opening a bottle of champagne. Make sure to keep your thumb over the cork as you twist it open. Do it over away from people and fragile things. Twist the bottom of the bottle until the cork comes out and keep glasses nearby to catch any spills when opening. Now back to when to drink your bubbly… Every day is special, isn’t it? We have several regular customers who celebrate “Champagne Fridays.” Great idea, right?
Happy New Year! *clink* TERMINOLOGY
When you buy bubbly, the terminology on the bottle can be confusing if you don’t know what they mean. Here’s a breakdown: • Brut Nature or Brut Zero: No added sugar • Extra Brut: Very dry • Brut: Very dry to dry • Extra-Sec or Extra-Dry: Off-dry to medium dry • Sec: Medium dry • Demi-Sec: Sweet • Doux: Very-sweet • NV/Non-vintage: A blend from several different vintages of wine • Vintage: All the wine is from the vintage listed on the bottle • Blancs des Blancs: made with chardonnay • Blancs des Noirs: made with pinot noir and/or pinot meunier • Rosé: Some of the most prestigious bubbles are rosés using pinot noir
w
406
oman.com 97