"sparkling wine" news and stories

During the Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year's holidays, it's a good idea to have bubbly on hand because party invites might pop up faster than you can uncork a bottle. Contrary to what many people think, you don't have to spend a lot of money to get a great tasting sparkling.

In the celebratory spirit of the holidays, here are six sparkling wines -- all inexpensive alternatives to Champagne -- that cost $20 or less.

by Kristine Hansen

Generally, crisp and celebratory, wines like cava, brut, Champagne and American sparkling wines probably won't turn any heads if you bring them to an occasion that calls for bubbles. But Crémant, a French sparkling wine, can make a fashionable entrance. Although still a nouveau import to many areas of the U.S. it's tres affordable. Most Crémants are priced under $20 a bottle.

Crémant is produced in seven regions throughout France: Bordeaux, Alsace, Burgundy, Loire, Die, Jura and Limoux. Strict laws from the French government stipulate that the grapes must be harvested by hand and the bottles aged for at least a year. There are also rules for the composition of grapes. And they differ by region. In Burgundy, for instance, at least 30 percent of the wine must be Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc or Pinot Gris.

While traveling through the Burgundy region this summer, in between spreading cheeses on rustic baguettes and reveling in the deliciousness of mustards from this region, we sipped some very good bottles of Crémant de Bourgogne. Fortunately you can buy both of our top picks in the States.

Photo: Schramsberg.

Gretchen Roberts writes the wine blog Vinobite, has passed the introductory course at the Court of Master Sommeliers and is studying for her sommelier certification this fall.

As a penny-pinching German, I don't drink expensive Champagne or domestic sparkling wine like it's water, but a couple of times a year (New Year's, wedding anniversary), I overcome my thrifty tendencies and blow big bucks on a great bottle. When I'm spending serious money on wine, I want to know my $30 or $60 or $100 is going to be worth it and not a major disappointment.

Normally our Wine Steals column focuses on $15-and-under everyday wines that are amazing for the price, but in honor of special occasions, here are five sparkling wines that I personally love and am willing to shell out for because, as Charles Dickens said, "Champagne is one of the elegant extras in life."

After the jump, five splurgeworthy sparklers plus a poll: How much are you willing to spend on special-occasion wine?

Photo: oskay, Flickr

Gretchen Roberts writes the wine blog Vinobite, has passed the introductory course at the Court of Master Sommeliers and is studying for her sommelier certification this fall.

August, in all its hot, humid, waning-of-summer glory, is my favorite month of the year. It may be sweltering and sticky, but August is like the bachelorette party before the wedding: Live it up while you can, because school is gonna start soon.

Which is why sparkling wine is the perfect antidote to impending fall. Light, refreshing, and bubbly, it has all the ingredients for celebrating (mourning?) the passing of Casual Season. (Besides, I'm still practicing Champagne service for my sommelier test. I almost have the silent "pop" perfected, but if you have any tips, I'm all ears!)

So what kind of sparkling wine do you like in the summer? Tyler Colman, author of "A Year of Wine," recommends saving the expensive and complex Champagne for chilly winter and sticking to simpler bubblies when it's hot, and I happen to agree (except for my anniversary on August 26, when Champagne is the only way to go ... are you reading this, honey?).

After the jump, my criteria for smashing, wallet-friendly summer sparklers.

Gretchen Roberts has passed the introductory course at the Court of Master Sommeliers and is studying for her sommelier certification this fall.

Attention doting husbands and children: Mother's Day is right around the corner. As the mom of two small children whose energy levels are inversely proportionate to their ages, I'm here to speak up for mothers of the world and give you a hint about proper Mother's Day celebratory etiquette.

It's simple, really. We want to observe Mother's Day by shirking our motherly duties and being bona fide adults.

Preferably with our feet up and a cocktail in hand.

This brings me to some easy sparkling wine recipes, in case you're planning to whip up a nice brunch for your lovely wife or mother. For mix-in drinks, don't bother spending megabucks on real Champagne; go with an inexpensive Prosecco from Italy (such as Fantinel) or Cava from Spain (Friexenet and Segura Viudas are good bets).

Three basic but beloved Mom-friendly elixirs after the jump.