Best Bubblies for the Holidays

Sparkling wines are at big hit at our house year-round---not just on special occasions.  (I say pop a cork on a bubbly mid-week regardless of what season it is and turn a run-of-the-mill day or night magically into something not so mundane).  With the "holidaze" quickly approaching, below are my suggestions for the best bubbles.  They vary in price from $10-$120, but all represent good quality/price ratio in their respective ranges.  Most of them, Wine-Knows Travel has been fortunate enough to visit the winery.

Under $10

·        Cristallino Brut.  I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t have had it in a blind-tasting.  I later found out that Robert Parker had scored this Spanish cava with 91 points.  All of this for the great sum of $7.99.

$10- 20

·        Roederer Estate Anderson Valley Brut.   Made by the same company that produces France’s legendary Cristal Champagne that sells for ten times the price ($200), this American sparkler is consistently on my best buy list. 

·        Gruet Blanc de Noirs (or Brut).  Sparkling wine from New Mexico?  (For that matter, wine of any type from New Mexico?)  This is not any oxymoron.   The Gruet family, producers of excellent Champagne in France, have won countless awards for their very well-crafted American bubbles. 

·        Le Colture Prosecco.  This is one of the best made sparklers from the Prosecco region (which lies in the hills above Venice.)  Viva Italia!

$20-30

• Arglye Brut.    While not known for its sparkling wine, Oregon soars with this one. Make sure you have plenty of this one in your cellar throughout the year.

$40-50

• Ca Del Bosco Franciacorta .  Made by one of my fave producers in the world of sparkling wine, these luscious Italian gems are a great way to ring in the holidays.
• Ployez-Jacquemart Champagne.  Made by a boutique producer, this one is hard to find in retail shops, but well worth the effort (suggest you buy online.)

$50 - $100

·        Billecart-Salmon Brut Rose.   I still remember my first sip of this and that was >25 years ago.  Yes, I love the beautiful “salmon” color, but it’s the taste that completely seduced me.

$ 100-120

• Egly-Ouriet Champagne.   For those who can pony up the 100+ bucks, this French delight just might leave you breathless.  In a league of its own.