Bubbles have a place at the table any time of the year, but around the holidays they’re especially festive. And with the variety of styles they offer — bone dry, lushly sweet, toasty, fruity — there’s a sparkling wine for every palate. With a look ahead to the coming celebrations, here’s a selection of our recommendations.
Argentina
Reginato Rosé of Malbec, NV (Mendoza); $15.99
Juicy Bing cherry and pie-crust aroma; bright and fresh, with tart acidity and lively apple notes.
California
Chateau St. Jean Brut Rosé, NV (California); $14.99
Macerated strawberry aroma with floral notes; lively mousse and bright cherry flavor.
Sterling Vineyards Blanc de Blancs, 2016 (Napa Valley); $24.99
Delicate stone-fruit aroma with a hint of lemon and florals; lively mousse and bright, tart flavors of Mandarin and cherry.
Sterling Vineyards Sparkling Rosé, 2016 (California); $24.99
Creamy cherry aroma; crisp and clean with bright, vivid, fresh berry flavor.
France
Champagne Ayala Brut Majeur, NV; $49.99
Nutty brioche aroma with a hint of pear; very dry and toasty with spicy notes.
Champagne Bollinger Special Cuvée, NV; $79.99
Toasty walnut and fresh-fig aroma; bright effervescence and elegant balance with a hint of pear peel.
Marquis de la Mystèriale Champagne Extra Dry, NV; $44.99
Yeasty, warm bread aroma with a hint of dried fig; very toasty with tart acidity and notes of green apple and walnut.
Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage Rosé Champagne Extra Brut, 2009; $69.99
Creamy berry/cherry aroma and persistent mousse; full-flavored with bright mouthfeel and elegant fruit tinged with toast.
Moët & Chandon Imperial Rosé Brut Champagne, NV; $49.99
Aromas of brambly earth and strawberry compote; bright raspberry flavor with vanilla creaminess; elegant and understated.
Moët & Chandon Nectar Imperial Rosé Champagne, NV; $59.99
Salmon color and lively mousse; creamy berry aroma with a touch of toast; gently sweet with overtones of roses, vanilla and sweet cherries.
Langlois Crémant de Loire Brut Rosé, NV; $29.99
Inviting cherry/vanilla aroma; vivid flavor and racy acidity with a hint of cherry skins and raspberry.
Italy
Ca’ del Bosco Franciacorta Cuvée Prestige, NV; $39.99
Golden Delicious apple aroma with a whiff of toast; brightly effervescent with tart, fresh citrus and a hint of fig.
Santa Margherita Brut Sparkling Rosé, NV; $28.99
Beautiful pale salmon color and lively mousse; crisp and luscious with delicate berry aroma and mouth-filling fruit.
Santa Margherita Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Brut, NV; $24.99
Very fine mousse and lemon/lime aroma with a mineral undercurrent; bright, clean fruit with a creamy texture and subtle sweetness.
Stella di Notte Prosecco DOC Extra Dry, NV; $14.99
Pale color and very fine mousse; lemon/lime aroma with a hint of florals and minerals; bright and refreshing, with delicate citrus flavor and a touch of fresh fig.
Tommasi Filodora Brut Prosecco DOC, NV; $15.99
Floral aroma with a hint of bright tangerine; vivid fruit flavor, bright acidity and creamy effervescence with lemon-drop notes.
Torresella Prosecco DOC Extra Dry, NV; $13.99
Bright, fresh citrus aroma; insistent mousse and crisp lime notes on the palate.
D’Altieri Moscato d’Asti DOCG; $14.99
Floral and sweet citrus aroma; luscious, juicy fruit and ethereal bubbles with racy acidity and balancing, plush sweetness.
