The Best Bubbly to Celebrate the Holidays
Another year has come and gone in quite a hurry - leaving me with a mix of emotions along the way. With the Holidays right around the corner, you may be considering picking up a bottle of bubbly to share with your friends, family, and loved ones over a nice post dinner toast. Or even when the clock strikes midnight!
How Much Bubbly Do I Need?
The answer really depends on how many people you are entertaining for the evening. One standard size 750ml bottle is typically 4 to 5 glasses. If you are just wanting enough champagne for a toast, you should estimate 1 glass per guest. If you are hosting a dinner party where champagne will be served, you would want to estimate 2 glasses per guest throughout the meal. However, if you have a few friends who drink alcohol like water, you may want to grab an extra bottle or two.
Champagne VS Sparkling Wine
It is by law that only producers in the Champagne region of France are allowed to call their product “champagne”. Whereas any fizzy wine produced elsewhere in the world must go under the name “sparking wine”. And while some wine snobs undoubtedly turn up their noses at the thought of drinking sparkling wine, the fact is that some excellent sparkling wines – which can hold their own in a taste test against some of Champagne’s finest – are produced right here in the US.
So, What Should You Buy?
With all the choices out there, a decision may feel like it’s impossible. But don’t fret! I went through and picked out some of the best Champagne and Sparkling Wine for any budget!
Freixenet Cordon Negro Brut (Spain) - My Pick!
Price: $9-13 USD
“Cordon Negro Brut is crisp, clean and well balanced. The dosage is very dry, but the acidity is lower than most champagnes for a softer, smoother flavor. It is medium-bodied with apple, pear and bright citrus flavors and a moderately long and crisp, clean finish.”
Freixenet Cordon Negro Brut also comes in personal sized bottles (187ml, $7 –12 / 3 pack), which makes it quite easy to pick up 1 bottle per guest for a photogenic toast, or a beautiful table setting with dinner.
Chloe Prosecco (Italy)
Price: $13-15 USD
“This sparkling wine is bursting with fresh fruit and fine bubbles, with notes of peach, green apple, citrus and white flowers on the nose and palate.”
Mumm Napa Brut Prestige (Napa Valley, CA)
Price: $17-21 USD
“A complex assemblage of primarily Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, Brut Prestige opens with gorgeous layered white blossom aromas, followed by creamy vanilla, citrus, stone fruit and melon. With elegant acidity and crisp structure, this medium-bodied sparkling wine displays an excellent mousse and a rich, lingering finish. Refreshing acidity and fruit character makes Brut Prestige an excellent food wine.”
Moet and Chandon Imperial Brut (Champagne, France)
Price: $45-55 USD
“The color is an elegant golden straw yellow with amber highlights. Its aromas are radiant, revealing bright yellow-fleshed fruits (apple, pear, yellow peach), honey, floral nuances (lime blossom) and elegant blond notes (brioche and fresh nuts). The palate is seductive, richly flavorful and smooth combining generosity and subtlety, fullness and vigor, followed by a delicately fresh crispiness (fruit with seeds), to reveal the magical balance of Champagne.”
Veuve Clicquot Brut (Champagne, France)
Price: $55-65 USD
“Bright and lightly toasty, this elegant Champagne layers flavors of cassis, crushed hazelnut and lemon meringue pie on the creamy bead.”