Employee Favorites | December 2016

Sparkling Wine Guide

Bob Stockwell, Wine Buyer

1. Montmartre Brut Sparkler
From the southwest of France, made up entirely of Ugni Blanc, this sparkler is crisp with spritely white fruit. A great buy!

2. Santa Julia Blanc de Blancs Sparkler  
This sparkler hails from Argentina. This 100% organically grown Chardonnay features lovely flavors of apple and peach with lip smacking acidity…quite a pleasing sparkler.

3. Cantine Elvio Tintero Moscato d’Asti 
Sustainably farmed in the Piemonte region of Northwest Italy, this ‘frizzante’ (lightly sparkling) style wine is slightly sweet, low alcohol and just lovely before dinner with cheese and fresh fruit or after dinner with your favorite dessert.

4. Tiamo Prosecco NV  
Tiamo, meaning ‘I love you’ in Italian, is an ideal sparkler for blending in that morning mimosa or as an afternoon apperitivo. Prosecco is a grape varietal as well as the name of the sparkling wine. In this case, the grapes are grown organically. This is a slightly sweeter ‘extra dry’ style as well as lightly sparkling ‘frizzante’ style (not quite the fizz of a Champagne). This bubbly is quite popular in the Veneto area where it is produced.

5. Scharffenberger Brut NV
This Anderson Valley sparkler is a French-owned house. Very traditional in style and quite elegant at half the cost of a Champagne. Started by John Scharffenberger (of chocolate fame) in 1981, it is now run by Maisons Marques & Domaines who continue to make marvelous, elegant yet affordable wines.

6. Roederer Estate Brut Rose NV
Owned and run by Champagne House Louis Roederer, this is yet another world-class venture in the Anderson Valley. The Roederer Brut Rose is probably my favorite sparkler made in California…especially in the $30 and under range. Although one of the most serious sparklers of the group, it is still affordable.

7. Taittinger Champagne, Brut La Francaise
Always a winner! Lovely minerality, hints of lemon and apple. This is the go-to sparkler for that very special occasion. Try with oysters, goat cheese stuffed dates or…just because.