A Bit of Bubbly

Here is a fun selection of unique, enjoyable, and affordable sparkling wines (not Champagne) that are wonderfully refreshing and perfect for adding some sparkle to your life.

United States, Iron Horse, Sonoma Valley, Wedding Cuvée, Blanc de Noir, 2006, 13.5%

Priced at around $30, the Iron Horse Wedding Cuvée is a favorite for weddings and anniversaries (for obvious reasons). In fact, the wine was originally made in 1980 to celebrate the marriage of one of the owners of Iron Horse. In addition to the catchy name, this sparkler's quality, aromas, and taste are superb.

The Blanc de Noir style, which literally means 'white of black', refers to the Pinot Noir that is used to make this sparkler. Actually, the wine is made with 86% Pinot Noir and 14% Chardonnay, but the wine laws of the United States allow producers to use the name of a grape if it makes up at least 75% of the wine blend. Furthermore, it is good to know the three grapes that are used in the production of true Champagne (from Champagne, France) as well as 'Champagne style' wines. The two red grapes used are Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier and the one white grape used is Chardonnay. Thus, if you see on the label of a sparkling wine the term 'Blanc de Blanc', which means 'white of white', you can immediately know that the wine is made with Chardonnay grapes.

With a pale peach color, this Iron Horse sparkling wine has elegant aromas of apricot and hazelnuts on the nose. In mouth the wine is smooth and seductive with notes of cinnamon, peaches, and slight hints of lime. Conveniently, this wine is spectacular served with chocolate covered strawberries as well as chocolate cake.

Italy, Foss Marai, Veneto, Prosecco, Extra-Dry, NV, 11.5%

The Foss Marai Extra-Dry Prosecco ($17) is a superb sparkling wine. Prosecco is a white grape from the Veneto region in northeastern Italy, and the sparkling wines that are made from Prosecco grapes are also called 'Prosecco'. The Foss Marai Prosecco has a superb aroma of green apple, lilies, yeast, cream, and citrus. On the palate the wine is crisp and refreshing with notes of vanilla, lemon, and baking flour. Pair this wine with seafood and white meat dishes and you will not be disappointed.

Fun note: The winemakers at Foss Marai have created a wine that is truly on of its kind. To make their sparkling wines, Foss Marai created their own strain of yeast, making the flavor and nose of the wine truly unique. Additionally, Foss Marai hired a renowned Italian glassblower to create their streamlined wine bottles. The bottle design is now patented by Foss Marai, and cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

Spain, Covides, Cava, Gran Gesta, Brut Reserve, NV, 11.5%

I am a huge fan of Cava sparkling wines. Known as "Spanish Champagne" Cavas are from Cava, Spain and are made from three grapes: Macabeo, Parellada, and Xarel-lo. This particular Cava is made by the Covides winery and the brand name is Gran Gesta, which is important to know when you are trying to purchase the wine in a store. If you ask for Covides, no one will know what wine you are searching for, ask instead for Gran Gesta.

This Covides Gran Gesta, which is priced at around $14, has a wonderful nose with aromas of butterscotch, lemon, apple, and pineapple. The bouquet has beautiful notes of yeast, vanilla, and bread dough, attributed to the 18 months that the wine was rested on its lees (dead yeast). On the palate the wine has a light-medium body with intriguing notes of white raisins, peach  cobbler, and spiced vanilla.

United States, Gruet, New Mexico, Sparkling Brut, NV, 12%

The Gruet family originated in France, where the founder of the winery, Gilbert Gruet, was born and raised. Gruet was extremely passionate about French Champagne and wanted to make an affordable, high-quality, and delicious Champagne of his own. Gruet began making his wine in France in the 1960s but in the 1980s, when Gruet and his wife were traveling through New Mexico, he found an inexpensive plot of land that he believed would grow Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes extremely well. He and his wife bought the land, started making sparkling wines, and the rest is history.

For only $12, the Gruet Brut is extremely delicious and is made with 75% Chardonnay and 25% Pinot Noir. The nose of this wine is quite fruit-forward, with notes of apple, mango, and citrus. On the palate the wine has nice length and a remarkable full body with accompanying flavors of grapefruit and green apple. This wine is wonderful to have on its own or served with white fish.