SEASONAL SIPS

SPARKLE AND POP

Holiday Bubbles from Indiana Vines

BY JEANETTE MERRITT

There are plenty of reasons to celebrate during this festive time of the year. But you don’t need a special occasion to open a bottle of Champagne or sparkling wine! It is the perfect complement to any meal or just something to enjoy for no reason at all.

There are many sparkling wines produced around the world, but only a few can properly be called Champagne. That bubbly wine is produced with grapes grown in the Champagne growing region of France. Many U.S. wineries cannot call their sparklers Champagne. Only those wineries that had approval to use the term on labels before 2006 may continue to use it and then only when it is accompanied by the wine’s actual origin.

Easley Winery is one winery that can use the term Champagne on their label. Their Indiana Champagne is made from a blend of Traminette and Cayuga grapes. You can buy a bottle at their Indianapolis-based winery for $15.60.

Bloomington’s Oliver Winery produces a Vidal Blanc Sparkling Wine that will please everyone in your crowd. This bubbly is made from grapes grown in their Creekbend Vineyard and sells for $25 a bottle. You can find this wine at their winery on SR 37, north of Bloomington, or at their tasting room in downtown Bloomington.

Huber Orchard, Winery & Vineyards features a sparkling blend of their Hard Cider and Red Raspberry Wine to make their Razzy Apple. At just $14.99 a bottle, it is worth the drive to Starlight to pick up a bottle!

Mallow Run Winery in Bargersville features Indiana’s Signature Wine Grape in their sparkling wine. Labeled Signature, this sparkling wine is made from the Traminette grape and costs $15 per bottle.

Whatever the season, there is always a reason to drink sparkling wine! Be sure to pick up an Indiana sparkler on your next visit to one of these wineries. IndianaWines.org Jeanette Merritt, marketing director of the Purdue Wine and Grape Team & Indiana Wines is a lover of Indiana wine, mother, farm wife and woman of faith. Find more online at FencerowToFencerow.com

WHERE TO TASTE AND BUY

Easley Winery 205 N. College Ave., Indianapolis 317.636.4516 EasleyWinery.com

Huber Orchard and Winery 19816 Huber Rd., Borden 812.923.9463 HuberWinery.com

Mallow Run Winery 6964 W. Whiteland Rd. Bargersville 317.422.1556 MallowRun.com Oliver Winery Main Tasting Room: 8024 Indiana 37, Bloomington, 812.876.5800

Oliver Winery Downtown Bloomington Tasting Room: 105 N. College Ave. Bloomington 812.822.0466 OliverWinery.com