5 Sparkling Wines For the Holidays

The Holiday season is coming up whether it is Christmas or Hanukkah, or another celebration.  A celebratory drink for many of us is sparkling wine, which can come from different countries, at different price points; but all are enjoyable!  Prosecco, Champagne, Cava, Cremant and more are terms you may hear relating to different sparkling wines.  I recently had a chance to try some of the latest vintages of sparkling wines coming into the Vancouver market, and thought I’d share my top 5 with you so you can enjoy some bubble with confidence, with family and friends.  There are of course others, so please enjoy the sparkling wines you already know, but maybe I can introduce you to some new ones.

My Top 5 Sparkling Wines for the Holidays

1. Champagne Bauchet Seduction Brut, NV, France ($55.99) – How can you pass up Champagne called “Seduction”?   This one is a rose.  It has a light bready ose.  Dry, light body, with red fruit flavours like strawberries, followed by Delicious and McIntosh apples.  Light bodied with very fine bubbles.  Rating:
2. Laurent-Perrier Rose, NV, France – This bubble is made with 100% Pinot Noir grapes from Grand Cru vineyards.  Light toast and red fruit aromas.  Medium body, dry with a creamy bubble.  Red fruits and sour red cherry flavours.  Rating:
3. Monte del Fra Scianco Spumante Brut Custoza, Italy (~$24) – Nice ripe candied pear aroma, which continues to the palate.  Medium body with small bubble, soft mouth feel.  Very tasty at a nice price. Rating:
4. Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Rose, NV, France ($64.99) – Light strawberry nose.  Light body, round mouth feel, with creamy medium sized bubbles.  Red cherries and red fruit on the palate.  Rating:
5. Giulio Ferrari Riserva del Fondatore 2002, Italy ($82.12+tax) – Toast and apple on the nose.  Dry with very high acidity.  Small bubbles. You first get apples on the palate followed by toastiness.  A complex, quality Prosecco. Rating:

Bonus Recommended Wine

I know I said top 5 wines, but this one I just had to fit into the discussion.  It is from the Gancia winery from Italy, which made the first ever Prosecco.

• Gancia Rose Brut, NV, Italy – Fun, candied cherry aroma in the glass, with more on the palate.  In addition you get some candied apple flavour.  Off-dry with small bubble and medium acidity. What is nice about this wine is being a rose, you get some drying tannins on the finish.  How often have you seen a Rose Prosecco?  This is a first for me. Rating: