The "Official" Holiday Sparkling Wine Recommendations
Holiday Sparkler Recommendations
Happy Holidays everyone! While sparkling wine, by all means, should be enjoyed on any old weeknight (I may or may not be drinking Champagne right now), it typically finds its way into our holiday festivities. Whether for Christmas dinner or for your New Year's Eve toast, I've decided to spit out 3 recommendations at 3 differing price points to try to provide some interesting bottles for your next celebration... or Monday night...
Let me start with a disclaimer. These recommendations are of wines that I think/know you'll be able to find in chain retail stores. I would love if you tried some of these because they're great wines and it makes me happy to know people read this, but I would also highly encourage you to head to a local wine shop to pick up your bottles. Virginia wine importers/stores do a fantastic job of selecting really cool sparkling wines, especially small-production Champagnes. Don't be afraid to ask for help, and always be upfront with what you want and your budget. They would appreciate your business a lot more than a retail store might... Now on to the recs.
NV Veuve Ambal Crémant de Bourgogne Grand Cuvée Brut
Vintage: NV
Region: Burgundy, France (Crémant de Bourgogne)
Winery: Veuve Ambal (Costco)
Winery: Veuve Ambal (Costco)
Varieties: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Aligote, Gamay
Price: $12
Rating: 90 Points
My Rating: 90 Points
The Review: Sparkling wine from Burgundy, France- as close as you can get to Champagne both geographically and in flavor, and without the crazy prices. This wine is comprised mostly of the two big Champagne grapes, made in the same method, and is $15 cheaper than the cheapest Champagnes I've ever found.
This wine shows nice yeasty aromas of fresh dough, as well as peaches and cream. There's a tiny hint of apple and a savory reductive tone that is found frequently in French sparklers. The taste shows a nice lush pop of apple and peach, with a faint hint of cream. There are some spice and floral components that add extra depth, and some red fruit aromas from the Pinot Noir and Gamay. This wine is pretty full in body and is a little rounder than some of the more traditional wines out of neighboring Champagne, but for $12, it's fantastic. You could pour that for me and if it had the word "Champagne" on the label, I would say it was $35. Great steal, and perfect if you're intending on enjoying more than one bottle.
NV Duval Leroy Brut Réserve Champagne
Vintage: NV
Region: Champagne, France
Winery: Duval Leroy
Winery: Duval Leroy
Varieties: 60% Pinot Noir, 30% Pinot Meunier, 10% Chardonnay
Price: $50 (ON SALE AT COSTCO FOR $27!!!!)
Rating: 93 Points
My Rating: 91 Points
The Review: It's my favorite time of year at Costco! They always put big sales on Champagne around the holidays- usually G.H. Mumm goes on sale as well as a select Champagne from a smaller, independent House (changes every year). This year, it appears as though they went for the Champagne Duval Leroy Brut Réserve. I was so excited when I found this wine on sale for $27, because it's really a great find.
This wine is super fresh and vibrant, with aromas of lemon, toast, and some nuts. There's also a little ginger and some reductive mushroomy tones. The wine is big and full with a big pop of lemon and green apple. There's more supple and rounded peach as well, and maybe some raspberry. Baking spices and a hint of toast play with fresh herbs and ginger to round out the flavors. This shows brilliantly... it's focused, linear, and shows incredible balance paired with strength. Classic Champagne for nearly half-off.
This is the BIG recommendation from me. If you can find it on sale at Costco, this is a no-hesitation buy in my book. One of the better deals I've found recently. You can still get a bottle or 3 without taking out a loan, and it has the coveted "C Word" on the label so you can flex on all your friends. Open it AT LEAST 30 minutes before service to allow it to fully open up.
NV Bollinger Brut "Special Cuvée" Champagne
Vintage: NV
Region: Champagne, France
Winery: Bollinger
Winery: Bollinger
Varieties: 60% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay, 15% Pinot Meunier
Price: $70
Rating: 96 Points
My Rating: 95 Points
The Review: I've gotta go on a brief spiel before I talk about this one. You may have noticed that I rarely ever recommend anything above $25, and if I do, it's because I think it's special and worth it. I truly believe that wine should be accessible to everyone and that the misconception that price=quality has distanced the majority of the drinking world from what wine should be. I also think there's so much incredible wine out there for below that price tag. There's rarely, if ever, a need to spend this much on a bottle of wine. However, if you find wine exciting and have a special occasion to celebrate, spending more (sadly) can open up a whole other level of quality and detail.
This wine from Bollinger exhibits that next level of detail, which is why it's snuck its way into the list. It shows unbelievable structure, depth, and complexity. It's comprised of wines from some of the best vineyards in Champagne, and even sees a little oak aging which is typically only found in the best of the best Champagnes. There are aromas of ripe stone fruits, green apple, and pear, as well as some light red fruit tones that float above the riper fruits. Some bitterness from a lemon pith note and white pepper lift the palate even further, and there's a bit of mushroomy funk that you find in very high-end Champagnes. The texture is seriously impressive. It's velvety. Dense, but fresh. There's powerful acidity with dense cherry notes, lemon zest, and white peach. Some almond, ginger, toast, and salinity from the characteristic chalk soils.
This is the wine for the sit-down, small event with a few very close friends. It's a conversation in a bottle- an experience, just as fine dining can be. It's easily the most impressive and complex sub-$100 bottle of Champagne I've had the pleasure of trying. It's also James Bond's go-to Champagne, so you by law have to talk in a British accent while you drink it.
Whatever you decide to drink, I hope you find your holiday season to be relaxing and peaceful. Stay cool and drink something fun.
drink what you like,
db
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