Bubbles & Holidays: A Perfect Pairing

Holiday parties are upon us. Nothing sets the stage more perfectly than walking in a party, pulling a glass of bubbles from an ornate silver tray, and drinking the heady sparkler. I receive more emails requesting sparkler and Champagne suggestions in December than at any other time of the year. People are confused about how to select a type or style of sparkling wine. They also ask me to detail the proper etiquette for giving a Champagne toast. Below is A Champagne Primer discussing wine sweetness levels, bottle sizes and defining terms of style and production. I have outlined the logical approach to toasting.
Master Sommelier, Katherine Fallis, MS also advises us on the proper storage, chilling, and opening techniques in her recent PRiME Magazine article: “Affordable, Festive Sparking Wine and Champagne”.

“I only drink Champagne on two occasions: when I am in love and when I’m not.” – Coco Chanel

Special occasions often require you to give a Champagne toast for the gathering. A few guidelines to follow:
1. Spontaneous toasts only look that way. Select the right words and practice them. A touch of humor is rarely out of place.
2. Understand that you may be recorded and tweeted later, so be appropriate.
3. When ready, make sure that everyone has been poured a glass of wine. Say, “May I have your attention,” vs. beating on the glassware with utensils.
4. Stand up. Look and speak directly to the Toastee, first and last, while in between addressing the rest of the audience. Don’t gesture with your glass or you may slosh the wine.
5. A 90 second or less length of toast is always appreciated.
6. Finally say, “Let’s welcome,” or, “Let’s celebrate Max, a great friend,” or, “To Max,” or another appropriate ending. Tip your glass and take a sip of wine at the end of the toast.

“In Success you deserve it and in defeat, you need it” – Winston Churchill

Great bubbles are found all over the world: Champagne or Cremant from France; Sparkling Shiraz or Chardonnay from Australia and Tasmania; American sparklers from many states including California, Oregon, Virginia, Washington, New Mexico, Texas, or New York; Cava from Spain; sparklers from South Africa; Prosecco or Franciacorta from Italy; Sekt from Germany Austria, Czech Republic; and now British sparkling wines.

“Come quickly, I’m tasting the stars!” – Dom Perignon shouts to his fellow monks

All special occasions call for Champagne, but winter holiday parties demand a festive sparkler. Food pairing for Champagne spans from appetizers to main courses, followed by desserts. Always follow the wine and dessert pairing guideline: make sure the Champagne is sweeter (demi-sec through Doux) than the dessert or the wine will fall flat. Pair Champagne with oysters rockefeller, smoked salmon toasts points with cream cheese, glazed beets and burrata toasts, caviar deviled eggs, and butternut squash ravioli with brown butter sage.

“I drink Champagne when I’m happy and when I’m sad. Sometimes I drink it when I’m alone.
When I have company I consider it obligatory. I trifle with it if I’m not hungry and drink it when I am. Otherwise, I never touch it – unless I’m thirsty.” – Madam Lilly Bollinger

Suggestions below represent some of the finest Champagnes and sparkling wine, best value sparklers and some unusual sparkling choices. Cheers to all PRiME Women!

“Champagne is one of the elegant extras in life.” – Charles Dickens

Finest Sparklers

Best Value Sparklers

Unusual Sparklers

Graham Beck Brut Sparkling Wine, NV, Western Cape, South Africa
$14.99Notes: This Non Vintage sparkler has pretty apricot and mango scents that are lively and vivacious. The palate shows a crisp acidity. Made with 53% Chardonnay and 47% Pinot Noir. Aged in bottle for 15 months. Suitable for vegetarians.Robert Parker Points: 90