holiday - Wine Enthusiast Magazine

NEW YEAR’S EVE
BELLA RUFFINA
Brachetto d’Acqui is a low-alcohol sparkling red wine
from Italy; Carpano Antica is a full-flavored sweet
vermouth that complements the herbaceous qualities
in the sparkling wine. This brightly hued cocktail marries
both in one exuberant sip.
4 ounces Brachetto d’Acqui
1 ounce Carpano Antica
1 dash orange bitters
1 Amarena cherry, for garnish
Combine the sparkling wine, vermouth and bitters
in a Champagne flute and stir gently. Drop the
cherry into the bottom of the glass and serve.
HOLIDAY
ENTERTAINING
2012
SPARKLING WINES FOR ANY BUDGET
No matter your means, year-end holidays call for celebratory bubbles. Here are our
editors’ current favorites.
$15 OR LESS
Treveri Cellars NV Brut (Columbia
90
Valley). This creamy sparkler features a
mix of apricot, peach and papaya flavors. It has
exceptional length. Best Buy. —P.G.
abv: 12% Price: $14
88 Domaine Ste. Michelle NV Brut (Columbia
Valley). This sparkler is made
mostly from Chardonnay, with the addition of
12% Pinot Noir. It features nice focus, density and
length, especially at this price. Best Buy. —P.G.
abv: 11.3% Price: $12
Korbel NV Blanc de Noirs (Califor-
88
nia). This was my highest-rated sparkling
wine of the year in this price category. This
is one of Korbel’s fuller-bodied sparklers, rich in
raspberry, strawberry, vanilla and dough flavors.
Best Buy. —S.H.
abv: 12% Price: $13
$16–$25
Scharffenberger NV Brut Rosé
92
(Mendocino County). Resplendent in
aromas and flavors of peach and strawberry, this
sparkler is a stunner, with a creamy mousse, medium
body and bright acidity. —V.B.
abv: 12% Price: $23
91 J Vineyards & Winery NV 25th Anniversary
J Cuvée (Russian River Valley).
This brut-style wine is refined and smooth,
BRUT NV: Often the best values,
these are blends of different vintages
and vineyards.
BRUT NATURE OR BRUT ZERO:
These are bone dry, great with
oysters and fried snacks.
EXTRA DRY AND SEC: These
are less dry than brut, but not as
sweet as the dessert-style demisec
and doux sparklers.
with a rich mousse seldom found in California
sparkling wines. —S.H.
abv: 12.5% Price: $24
90 Bailly-Lapierre NV Pinot Noir Brut
(Crémant de Bourgogne). Because
Bailly-Lapierre gets its grapes from the region
around Chablis, this is a cool-climate sparkler,
close to Champagne both geographically and in
style. William Harrison Imports. —R.V.
abv: 12% Price: $24
$26–$50
VINTAGE: These are produced
from a single year’s harvest,
with a focused expression of
terroir. Vintage Champagnes are
released only in the best years.
ROSÉ: The best gain color from
skin contact; others add red wine
to the initial blend.
BLANC DE BLANCS: Usually
made from Chardonnay, these are
elegant, delicate sparkling wines.
93 Gloria Ferrer 2004 Royal Cuvée Brut
(Carneros). Gloria’s Royal Cuvée is a
classic brut blend of two-thirds Pinot Noir and
one-third Chardonnay. The price is remarkably
fair for a vintage wine with eight years of aging
on the yeast. —S.H.
abv: 13% Price: $32
91 Ferrari 2006 Perlé (Trento). A wine
that shows its cool-climate, northern Italian
roots, this Chardonnay-based sparkler is redolent
of Golden Delicious apple, roasted almond
and zesty citrus. Palm Bay International. —M.L.
abv: 12.5% Price: $33
90 Quartz Reef NV Methode Traditionelle
(Central Otago). The price is a
bargain for a hand-riddled and -disgorged sparkler
that’s complex with biscuit flavor, yet crisp,
dry and refreshing. Station Imports. —J.C.
abv: 12.5% Price: $27
DECIPHERING SPARKLING WINE TERMS
The official terminology associated with most sparkling wines is based upon the laws of Champagne.
Here’s a quick guide to the meaning of the most important terms.
BLANC DE NOIRS: Made typically
from Pinot Noir and/or Pinot
Meunier, these generally
have the most body and fruit.
GRAND CRU: In Champagne,
vineyards are classified. Grand
cru is the best. —Paul Gregutt
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PHOTO BY JON VAN GORDER