Sparkling wines had a break-out year. Stateways reports that the country has gone crazy for bubbles: “U.S. sales of all types of sparkling wine are on fire. Italy’s Prosecco leads the way – up 27%…,” and France’s Champagne, Spain’s Cava and domestic sparkling wine were all growing as of this fall. With quality choices available from so many areas it’s time to expand our repertoire.
Explore Quality Cava’s
Cava is the Spanish term for wines made in the same style of Champagne, a process first introduced to the Barcelona area by the Codorníu Raventos family. Try their Spanish best-seller, Anna de Codorníu Blanc de Blancs Reserva made from Chardonnay, Parellada, Macabeo and Xarel.lo, sourced from the family’s estate vineyards. It’s the perfect pairing with brunch!
Meet Champagne’s Hip Younger Sister
Champagne is always de rigueur on any sparkling list. We asked expert Caitlin Corcoran, co-owner of Ça Va Champagne bar (an Elle Magazine top destination) in Kansas City for advice on French bubbly trends. Corcoran likes the character of single vineyard Champagne growers such as Jacquesson, Lilbert and JM Sélèque. Feeling more experimental? Corcoran would pour you a pét-nat, a rustic, French farmhouse-style bubbly which is made through an ancestral, natural fermentation method. Sometimes referred to as “Champagne’s hip younger sister,” pét-nats are earthy, fun and on-trend at Ça Va.
Discover Wines From The World’s First Sparkling Wine Region
Further to the south of France in the Languedoc, 4th generation vigneron Jean-Claude Mas is also reviving a sparkling wine tradition with the release of Côté Mas Crémant de Limoux Brut and Côté Mas Crémant de Limoux Rosé. Many historians credit the Limoux region for inventing the word’s first sparkling wine in 1531. The new wave of Crémants de Limoux from Domaines Paul Mas deliver charming style, and remind us of the effervescent attitude a great glass of bubbles can bring.
Seek Out Italy’s Best Prosecco’s
Think all Proseccos are created equal? Think again! While all wine labeled prosecco comes from northern Italy, look for Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG on the label for real authenticity. This boutique growing area is the birthplace of prosecco with elegant expressions hand-harvested from steep hillside vines, earning Italy’s highest DOCG status. “Rive” wines indicate small towns that make vintage wines of character, while “Cartizze” is known as the grand cru of the region.
