Despite the debacle that is 2020, there is always something to celebrate, no? Maybe it’s as deceptively simple as being healthy, having friends (even if they are socially distanced) and a roof over your head. One must soldier on, raise a glass and toast to whatever it is that you find yourself grateful for. With that in mind, we recently hosted a blind tasting of sparkling wines in search of the best bubbles for every palate. (Want to learn more about your palate preferences? Take this quick quiz and identify your wine tribe).

I sought out variety of options from different places and at different price points. But before we dig in, let’s have a look at the key differences between sparkling wines around the world.

La belle Champagne and other sparkling beauties

Champagne is the grande dame of sparkling wines. It always comes from the Champagne region of France, is made with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes and is created through the méthode champenoise. This complex method produces a secondary fermentation in the bottle, resulting in Champagne’s traditional tastes of brioche, toast, and nuts.

In Spain, they use the same process, but instead of being called méthode champenoise, it is known as the traditionelle method. Spanish sparkling wine is made with a variety of different grapes.

Prosecco is the Italian version of bubbly but it’s not made in the méthode champenoise. Instead, the Italians use something called the tank method, in which the second fermentation takes place in a tank, outside of the bottle.

Finally, we have American producers crafting bubbly wines. As befits our independent natures, some American producers use the méthode champenoise and some don’t.

To each his own, but why should you care about production methods? Because the méthode champenoise results in tastes typically associated with Champagne (brioche, etc.). But when other methods are used, you typically wind up with sweeter, fruitier wines.   

Time to pop some corks

All right. Back to our tasting. Here was our lineup:

Prior Bortolomiol Vadobbiadene Prosecco

Remember the prosecco craze a few years back? That led to too many bland examples of the wine on the market today. Luckily, this isn’t one of them. The Bortolomiol family helped bring prosecco to fame, and this lauded wine, made with 100 percent estate grown grapes, was a hit with the Accessible tribe. For everyone else, it was too sweet. Our tasters noted scents of honeysuckle, green apple and bubble gum, with lush tastes of peaches, fig newtons and King’s Hawaiian bread. If you’re in the Accessible tribe, pick up a bottle or three of this one.

If you’re a member of another tribe, read on.

Longevity Blanc de Blanc

Longevity is a boutique, Black-owned winery in Livermore, Calif. and you longtime readers know I love Livermore. Speaking of love, I am also inspired by Longevity’s logo, which is a tribute from winemaker Phil Long to his recently deceased wife. The care he took with the label also shows up in how he crafts his wines. This sparkler is Blanc de Blanc, meaning it is 100 percent Chardonnay grapes, and is made in the méthode champenoise. The wine has scents of peaches and butterscotch, with tastes of brioche and green apples. But what we liked most is the vivacious bubbles and zippy acidity, which makes it a great wine to pair with food. If you are in the Balanced or Developed tribes, give this one a whirl.

Champagne Thierry Triolet

I had high hopes for this Grand Reserve Brut Champagne as it’s from grower and producer Thierry Troilet, who has been making Champagne since 1960. But alas, while the Complex Tribe loved it, the rest of us did not. Everyone dug the aromas of licorice, juniper and burnt toast with a hint of funk (imagine burnt toast topped by a little moldy cheese). But the tastes were almost too complicated for all but the Complex Tribe to enjoy. We picked up tastes of anise, raisins, molasses and Jolly Rancher green apple. Everyone liked this wine’s tart, clean finish and how well it played with food. As one taster said, “I wouldn’t kick it out of bed,” but really, unless you are in the Complex Tribe, I might recommend a pass.

And the Segura Viudas?

I knew I was on to something when the rather snobby wine guy at my local bottle shop furtively whispered to me that this is the wine he takes to parties. And given that it was a crowd pleaser–at only $11–I understand why. This wine is made with the méthode champenoise and was a past winner according to Wine Enthusiast magazine’s Top 100 Best Buys. Our tasters agreed, appreciating its scents of stone fruit, wet dirt and honeydew as well as its tastes of honey, peach and pineapple. This one has a rich mouthfeel and it plays well both with and without food. It was a clear favorite of the Balanced and Developed tribes and a runner up for the Accessible Tribe. Regardless of your tribe, I would give this one a try.

Find something to celebrate, my friends, be it big or small, and pop the top on one of these fine sparklers. Cheers!

Doggie photobomb.

 

 

 

 

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