If I asked you to name one drink that New Year’s Eve, weddings and Valentine’s Day have in common, you’d say “champagne,” right? So would I. Let’s think about why that is:
- It’s expensive. That is, the real stuff from France is. The bubbly that can only legally be called “champagne” can be dire on the budget. Therefore, it makes sense that one would save their bottle/s for the most celebratory of occasions.
- It’s festive. I mean, it literally sparkles. And doesn’t a wedding call for glitz and glitter?
- It lifts the spirits, literally and figuratively. In a figurative sense, champagne has those glorious little carbonated bubbles that rise to the top of a glass. And, if someone has too much, well, let’s just say their spirit is deemed “lifted.”
I love love love wine with bubbles, however, I don’t believe I’ve ever bought a bottle of legit champagne. Why would I when we live in a world where there are countless alternatives – Prosecco, spumante, sparkling wine, cava, asti? These are all bubby wines produced throughout the world, which are served in champagne flutes and are a fraction of the price of the beverage once reserved for royal courts and aristocracy. While I absolutely crack open these fizzy bottles on the appropriate occasions listed above, I also enjoy sparkling wine all throughout the year. Not only does it make my days a little bit more special, sparkling wine is incredibly versatile when it comes to food pairing. What other varietal can you comfortably pair with eggs, cheese, fish, poultry, potato chips, olives, cured meats, vegetables and desserts? And, with the increasing number of red sparkling wines on the market, chocolate and meats, as well?
Is there a difference in taste between what is real champagne and what is not? I’m sure there is, if you’re a sommelier or a wine critic. But for a person like me who just loves good food and wine and good company to share it with, just give me something good and fizzy. Ponte currently has three unique sparkling wines that are perfect for all of life’s occasions – celebratory or not…
2012 Moscato: Refreshing and perfect as a pre-dinner drink. Floral aromas, apricot and nectarine flavors. Pairs beautifully with egg dishes, citrus desserts, and catching up on Netflix. Learn more and purchase here.
2012 Rose Spumante: Bright and spritzy. Subtly sweet with flavors of strawberry and pineapple. A very good choice for soft cheeses like Brie, fresh fruits and surfing the web. Learn more and purchase here.
2011 Vernaccia Nera: A very unique and special red sparkling wine from Marche, Italy. Luscious aromas of cassis, blackberries and vanilla with similar flavor structure. Perfect with Italian food, savory olives, salty cheeses and discussing this year’s vacation plans. Learn more and purchase here.
Get all three of Ponte’s sparkling wines with the Sparkling Trio, found here.
–When do you enjoy sparkling wine?
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