Because Sparkling Wine is the perfect Accessory this holiday season...
I was recently out for brunch with some lovely ladies and we all kicked off our holiday celebrations with some wonderful mimosa's. They were simply delicious! There was really nothing better to jump start our afternoon and great conversation than some fresh OJ and sparkling wine.
After brunch, and a quick run into Holts, I come home to prep for my upcoming Steven & Chris Episode, which tapes this Thursday. It seemed that my brunch served as a great way to prep my palate for the upcoming production seeing as how the episode is titled "Great Sparkling Wines for the Holidays".
I have recently became a HUGE (I may even go as far to say very huge) fan of sparkling wine. I kind of see it as the other option to red and/or white wine. Recently I have been looking for a different taste on my palate, and sparkling wine hit the spot. Plus, any good woman can truly appreciate the fact that a gorgeous flute of sparkling wine, with perfect bubbles and refreshing taste can be a perfect accessory at a cocktail party, holiday get together in jeans or a New Years party. It matches with any outfit and can make an anyone look like a million bucks. And with the Holidays literally around the corner there is no better time to start loving a great glass of sparkling wine tham right now! Besides shouldn't we all be celebrating?!
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But wait... lets address some "sparkling" misconceptions:
Are all Sparkling wines expensive?! - The quick answer is No. Yes, You can buy higher priced champagnes, and usually those are the brands that have been around forever and have much history and tradition - I think of the classic champagnes in the world like Veuve & Moet. However, you can find amazing and affordable bottles of sparkling wines (from around the world) well suited to drink on their own, mixed with your regular cocktail, mimosas, and much much more! Try a Prosecco, Cava, or local Brut, and you'll be able to try great sparkling wine, for a very affordable price.
What is the difference between Champagne & Sparkling Wines?!
Well, lets put it this way... All champagne and Sparkling wine have bubbles, which really is what makes sparkling wine sparkling wine. But only sparkling wine from France, specifically the region of Champagne can be called Champagne. Legally, all other sparkling wine from around the world cannot be called Champagne because it doesn't come from that region. Many other wine regions give their sparkling wine a regional reference. Here are some examples:
Champagne- Sparkling wine from Champagne, France
Prosecco – Sparkling wine from Italy made from Prosecco Grapes
Spumante – is Italian for sparkling wine, usually sweet and low in alcohol
Cava – Sparkling wine from Spain
Cap Classique – Sparkling wine from South Africa
Sekt – Sparkling wine from Germany
Crement – Sparkling wine from Burgundy & Alsace
Asti – Sparkling wine that uses the Muscat grape
Is all Sparkling Wine Dry? The Simple answer is no. Sweetness levels can sometimes be found on wine labels, however, it really just takes a bit of knowledge (and of course some taste trials) to figure out what each bottle tastes like and finding out which wine makes your own palate sparkle. Sparkling wine sweetness levels are based on the the final dosage of sugar that gets added to the wine before bottling. Icewine has also been known to be added as the final dosage, and is growing in popularity as a Canadian trademark.
These are some traditional ways to at look dry/sweet levels of sparkling wie and here are some quick clues below:
➢ doux (meaning sweet)
➢ demi-sec (half-dry),
➢ sec (dry),
➢ extra sec (extra dry),
➢ brut (almost completely dry),
➢ extra brut/brut nature/brut zero (no additional sugar, sometimes ferociously dry).
I was recently out for brunch with some lovely ladies and we all kicked off our holiday celebrations with some wonderful mimosa's. They were simply delicious! There was really nothing better to jump start our afternoon and great conversation than some fresh OJ and sparkling wine.After brunch, and a quick run into Holts, I come home to prep for my upcoming Steven & Chris Episode, which tapes this Thursday. It seemed that my brunch served as a great way to prep my palate for the upcoming production seeing as how the episode is titled "Great Sparkling Wines for the Holidays".
I have recently became a HUGE (I may even go as far to say very huge) fan of sparkling wine. I kind of see it as the other option to red and/or white wine. Recently I have been looking for a different taste on my palate, and sparkling wine hit the spot. Plus, any good woman can truly appreciate the fact that a gorgeous flute of sparkling wine, with perfect bubbles and refreshing taste can be a perfect accessory at a cocktail party, holiday get together in jeans or a New Years party. It matches with any outfit and can make an anyone look like a million bucks. And with the Holidays literally around the corner there is no better time to start loving a great glass of sparkling wine tham right now! Besides shouldn't we all be celebrating?!
***
But wait... lets address some "sparkling" misconceptions:
Are all Sparkling wines expensive?! - The quick answer is No. Yes, You can buy higher priced champagnes, and usually those are the brands that have been around forever and have much history and tradition - I think of the classic champagnes in the world like Veuve & Moet. However, you can find amazing and affordable bottles of sparkling wines (from around the world) well suited to drink on their own, mixed with your regular cocktail, mimosas, and much much more! Try a Prosecco, Cava, or local Brut, and you'll be able to try great sparkling wine, for a very affordable price.
What is the difference between Champagne & Sparkling Wines?!
Well, lets put it this way... All champagne and Sparkling wine have bubbles, which really is what makes sparkling wine sparkling wine. But only sparkling wine from France, specifically the region of Champagne can be called Champagne. Legally, all other sparkling wine from around the world cannot be called Champagne because it doesn't come from that region. Many other wine regions give their sparkling wine a regional reference. Here are some examples:Champagne- Sparkling wine from Champagne, France
Prosecco – Sparkling wine from Italy made from Prosecco Grapes
Spumante – is Italian for sparkling wine, usually sweet and low in alcohol
Cava – Sparkling wine from Spain
Cap Classique – Sparkling wine from South Africa
Sekt – Sparkling wine from Germany
Crement – Sparkling wine from Burgundy & Alsace
Asti – Sparkling wine that uses the Muscat grape
Is all Sparkling Wine Dry? The Simple answer is no. Sweetness levels can sometimes be found on wine labels, however, it really just takes a bit of knowledge (and of course some taste trials) to figure out what each bottle tastes like and finding out which wine makes your own palate sparkle. Sparkling wine sweetness levels are based on the the final dosage of sugar that gets added to the wine before bottling. Icewine has also been known to be added as the final dosage, and is growing in popularity as a Canadian trademark.
These are some traditional ways to at look dry/sweet levels of sparkling wie and here are some quick clues below:
➢ doux (meaning sweet)
➢ demi-sec (half-dry),
➢ sec (dry),
➢ extra sec (extra dry),
➢ brut (almost completely dry),
➢ extra brut/brut nature/brut zero (no additional sugar, sometimes ferociously dry).
There are some simple answers to sparkling misconceptions.
And now that you know all about sparkling wine, it is time to serve it in style.
And now that you know all about sparkling wine, it is time to serve it in style.
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6 tips to serve sparkling wine in style:
1- Find the perfect sparkling wine – Whether you like dry, sweet, yeasty or fruity, there is a sparkling wine for every occasion and every palate. However, what you serve can be dependent on your environment, the weather, guest preferences, budget and mood. Find your favourite, share and enjoy!
2- Serve your Sparkling at the proper temperature and show it off – Be sure to serve your sparkling wine quite cold – but never put it in the freezer - chill it for about 30 minutes in the fridge before you serve it. Also, show off your sparkling wine. You are serving a sparkling wine, it should be a celebration. Find a unique way to show it off, whether it is in how you pour, how you open or how you keep the wine chiller, find a great way to show off your sparkling.
3- Know how to open-Showcase how you open your bottle of sparkling - whether its making sure that when pulling the cork there is no noise, or making sure you share the wealth of bubbly with
the crowd, learn how to open and do it safely!4- Know how to serve/pour the wine – Pour a little bit of wine (about 1/3) of the glass with sparkling wine, then wait for the bubbles to sizzle away and then pour again to fill the glass just below the top of the glass. As you pour the remainder hold the bottle of wine on the side or by the bottom, try to never hold the bottle by the neck, it doesn't do anything to show off the bottle - and always be sure to 'cheers' before you sip!
5- Use the proper stemware – The holidays are definitely one of those times when you can truly showcase your spotless and sparkling crystal in your collection. The crystal will bring out the delicate bubbles of the wine and will truly make the wine taste delicious. Ikea makes some very affordable sparkling glasses, and Riedel even makes stemless sparkling glasses - a great way to show off!
6- Share your sparkling story– Every bottle of wine has its story, whether it is how you found it, why you like it or the true story behind or of the wine, find your story and let it sparkle!
So as you enter into this fabulous holiday season, be sure to enjoy the great taste of a sparkling wine. And be sure to share the sparkling and have a Happy and Safe Sparkling Holiday season!
My Sparkling Wine Choices this Holiday season:Piper Heidsieck - Join the Facebook Group Here
Peller Estates Ice Cuvee (Rose)
Astoria Prosecco
Moet Chandon
Vueuve Cliquot
