WINE CHAT: Bargain Bubbly and Other Quick Tips for New Year's

Sparkling wine for New Year's is perhaps as strong a tradition as turkey on Thanksgiving, so I'd be remiss not to weigh in with a few tips.  Last year around this time, I broke down various sparkling wines in some detail.  This year, I'll give a quick recap and some suggestions, and refer you to my 2007 New Year's post for more background.

First off, the term "champagne" strictly speaking refers to sparkling wine produced in the Champagne in Northeastern France.  The name comes with a price; $30 is about as low as you can go for a true Champagne.  I sampled the Perrier Jouet Brut NV ($39), if you want the real deal that is one relatively affordable option.  If you're not budget conscious this year (perhaps you own an oil well?), I had a taste of the Perrier Jouet 1999 Fleur de Champagne ($150), and would happily have some more if someone else were buying!

There are a few ways to approximate the real thing for a lesser price.  For instance, you might try the Roederer Estate Anderson Valley Brut ($17), produced by a well-regarded Champagne producer that also makes Californian sparkling wines like this. An even better option for bargain-conscious sipping is to go with a Cava, a sparkling wine from Spain that is produced in the same method as champagnes, but are much more affordable.  For instance, we recently enjoyed a Codorniu Cava ($9), with a pleasant green apple taste.  Other Cavas that are also good for similar prices include the Cava Brut 1 +1=3  ($12) and the Segura Viudas Brut Reserva ($9).

Proseccos from Italy can be another good source of affordable sparklers.  For instance, I've enjoyed the Mionetto Brut Prosecco ($13).  Some American producers such as Washington based Chateau St. Michelle are also good bargain options.  Not as inexpensive, but very good, are the offerings from Massachusetts-based Westport River Vineyard.

We will be opening a French sparkling wine for New Year's, but not a champagne.  We've got a bottle of 2007 Domaine Renardat-Fache Cerdun du Bugey Rose ($22), a sparkling rose that blends Gamay, Chardonnay, Jura, Roussette and Mondeuse (the last three are all new grapes to me).  We had a sip of this delicate sparkler at a tasting and look forward to more!

Now, my parting Wine Chat idea as we prepare to ring in a new year is to consider trying some new wines in the new year...this is a resolution that might be easier to stick with in the new year!  This year I tried a few new varietals, one that sticks out is Nero d'Avola from Sicily, a hearty red grape.  And if you haven't tried the lively Gruner Veltliner from Austria that is certainly worth a try.  There are hundreds of grapes out there to choose from, so consider resolving to try a few more of them in 2009.  Cheers!

David Crowley, Gather Food Correspondent

David enjoys sharing good food and wine with family and friends.  David writes about his wine explorations and discoveries in his column, "Wine Chat", a twice-monthly feature of Gather Essentials:  Food.   He also blogs at Cooking Chat.  By day, David is the President and Founder of Social Capital Inc.