Drinks
14 Truly Special Holiday Bubblies
A bright and airy cava with tart citrus notes and an elegant, musky finish that lingers with hints of spice and lemon. Great for sipping with cheese and olives as an aperitif, or as a nice dry contrast to a milky dessert like custard or cheesecake. De Chanceny Cremant de Loire Brut ($15)
This dry, pale gold sparkler has a lively, tickling effervescence and a grapefruit and honey finish. It's citrusy, clean, and light, great for pairing with turkey, cranberries, and cream sauces. Roederer Estate Brut Rose NV ($27)
The prestigious French winery Champagne Louis Roederer founded an estate in the cool Anderson Valley in 1982. This smooth, nonvintage sparkling rose is dominated by pinot noir, which adds lovely fruit to the flavor and a nice dose of blush to the finish. It includes up to 20 percent oak-aged reserve wine and is characterized by subtle herb and red raspberry accents, but with a stiff mineral backbone.
The pinot noir is evident in this slightly tannic pink sparkling. A fruity, floral nose, and a dry, spicy, strawberry-tinged palate with a pleasing acidity. Terrific with a caramelly winter fruit tart. Domaine Carneros Blanc de Noirs 2006 ($33)
Creamy, biscuity bubbles are gilded with black-cherry fragrance in this excellent offering from an organic grower. Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs 2007 ($36)
An all-chardonnay sparkler with fruity, spicy hints of tarte tatin, lemons, and ginger, perfect for a Thanksgiving toast.
This magenta-colored, softly effervescent lambrusco-style sparkling red from South Africa is filled with lip-smackingly fresh and tart-sweet berry flavor. It's a great, casual, celebratory bottle, low in alcohol and easy to drink. Moet and Chandon Imperial ($39)
Flowers and honey show up in this Champagne, with a nice dose of fruit on the palate and tight, fine, lasting bubbles. It's great with dessert. Moet and Chandon Nectar Imperial ($43)
A luscious demi-sec Champagne that begins fresh and dry, then erupts with ripe mango and apricot fruit; it's great with a sharp blue cheese or a rich aged gouda.
A dry, peachy-pink sparkling wine with lively effervescence and an elegant strawberry character. It's great with seafood. Roederer Estate L'Ermitage Anderson Valley Brut Rose 2003 ($70)
This rare blend (only the 2nd vintage yet made) is complex and cellar-worthy, filled with peach and pastry aromas, hints of deeper red fruit and lots of nervy acidity. Domaine Carneros le Reve Blanc de Blancs 2004 ($85)
A luscious, yeasty, and delicate sparkler, ideal for toasts and celebrations.
The most powerful and richest sparkling wine made in California has intense toasted brioche, roasted nut, biscuit, and baked apricot aromas and flavors. If you like Dom Perignon or Krug Champagne, this is for you. Armand de Brignac ($300)
The world's most expensive non-vintage champagne comes in an impressive gold bottle tucked into a black laquered box. With a golden hue, a lively burst of bubbles in a silky body, and a fruit-forward, slighty toasty flavor, it's a lovely present for the sparkling wine drinker who has everything.
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