Tag Archives: New Year’s wine

New Year's sparkling wine 2019

New Year’s sparkling wine 2023

Two glasses of sparkling wine on a counter
A sparkling wine beauty shot!

New Year’s sparkling wine 2023 recommendations

I’m not sure if it’s premiumization or Dallas retailers or some sort of bleh surrounding sparkling wine this holiday season, but I had a damned hard time finding quality bubbly at the blog’s prices for this post (or even quality bubbly that cost a few — or a lot — more dollars). And I went through a bunch of wine, since too many were almost as poorly made as this one.

But the WC is persistent. So my suggestions for New Year’s sparkling wine 2023. As always, keep in mind the blog’s annual wine gift guidelines and our sparkling wine primer.

• Cave de Lugny Crémant de Bourgogne Brut Rosé NV ($20, purchased, 11.5%): This French sparkler, which may be a Whole Foods private label, costs more than I like to spend, but it’s worth it. Well made, taut, and surprisingly fruity for a cremant (strawberries?). It takes a while to  open up. Imported by Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits

• Lunetta Prosecco NV ($11, purchased, 11%): This is much better than a supermarket style Prosecco has any right to be, and I’m still surprised I enjoyed it. Soft and sweetish, with candied lemon fruit, but it does the trick with sort of spicy food. Imported by Palm Bay International

• Jeio Bisol Prosecco Brut NV ($15, purchased, 11%): This Italian wine has about three names, but whatever it’s called, it’s a steal at this price. Firmish bubbles, not sweet at all, more apples than lemon, and a long finish. Highly recommended. Imported by Wilson Daniels

• Veuve du Vernay Blanc de Blancs Brut NV ($10, purchased, 11%): I used this French wine on the blog last year at Thanksgiving, but figured it was a one off. Not so — 13 months later, it remains a tremendous value. The bubbles aren’t flabby and the wine isn’t sweet, with some apple  fruit and a zesty finish. Not complicated, but quite enjoyable. Imported by Patriarche USA

More about New Year’s sparkling wine
• New Year’s sparkling wine 2022
• New Year’s sparkling wine 2021
• New Year’s sparkling wine 2020
• Three things to ponder while sipping sparkling in the summer
• Wine scores rant: Top-notch cava gets 86 points, about the same as a crummy supermarket wine

Photo:”My only regret in life is that I did not drink more Champagne. – John Maynard Keynes #cheers #misfitgram” by ajleon is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

New Year's sparkling wine 2019

New Year’s sparkling wine 2022

Pouring sparkling wine
“Do you think this will be enough for all the people coming tonight? The WC has recommended this wine, after all.”

New Year’s sparkling wine 2022 recommendations in an otherwise problematic year for bubbly

If the 2021 New Year’s sparkling wine post was about shortages, this post is about the opposite — almost too much wine, and too much of that of indifferent quality, and too much of that costing more for no particular reason. How about a $14 rose Prosecco that was intentionally flat and bland and apparently aimed at the Mimosa market? There’s premiumization for you.

Speaking of flat, those of us who don’t buy $75 Champagne may find some of the sparklers we buy without much fizz — again. Three of the last five $15 or so bubblies I bought for this post were flat, and they came from reputable producers. My guess? More problems from last year’s supply chain woes.

Nevertheless, the WC found wine to drink this New Year’s — and that doesn’t cost $75.  As always, keep in mind the blog’s annual wine gift guidelines and our sparkling wine primer.

• Juvé y Camps Brut Rosé Pinot Noir NV ($15, purchased, 12%): This cava is a long-time favorite, even though it is made with decidedly un-Spanish pinot noir. Nevertheless, it is always impressive. Lots of berry fruit, but also a darker, more earthy undertone one doesn’t expect from pinot. Firm bubbles, but not creamy; rather, fresh and long finish. Highly recommended. Imported by Vintus

• Zardetto Prosecco Z Brut NV ($13, sample, 11%): A step up from supermarket Prosecco — hardly sweet, much tighter bubbles, more citrus fruit (some orange, in fact), balanced, and even a little structure. Don’t waste this on a Mimosa. Imported by Winebow

• Casteller Cava Brut Rose NV ($12, purchased, 11.5%): This wine uses a Spanish grape, trepat, instead of pinot noir, and you can taste the difference. It’s dark, almost caramel, and my even have some earth. Plus, berryish fruit and tight bubbles. Highly recommended. Imported by Ole & Obrigado

• Graham Beck Brut MCC NV ($15, purchased, 12%): South African sparkler made in the Champagne style and always a tremendous value. It has tight bubbles, enough fruit so that it’s noticeable (green apples and lemon?), some minerality, and even a little creaminess.  Imported by Beck Family Estates

More about New Year’s sparkling wine
• New Year’s sparkling wine 2021
• New Year’s sparkling wine 2020
• New Year’s sparkling wine 2019
• Wine of the week: Domaine Bousquet Sparkling Rose Brut NV
• Enough with the Champagne glass conspiracy already – can’t we just drink and enjoy?

Photo: Maria Orlova via Pexels

New Year's sparkling wine 2019

New Year’s sparkling wine 2021

new year's sparkling wine
“Wow! The WC has found some value in those sparkling wines.”

New Year’s sparkling wine 2021 recommendations, where the focus is on value

This is not a great year for sparkling wine — lots of spot shortages, lots of too high prices thanks to the sport shortages, and so on and so forth. But never fear: the WC’s focus is on value with these four wines. Keep in mind the blog’s annual wine gift guidelines and our sparkling wine primer.

• Lucien Albrecht Crémant Brut NV ($23, sample, 12.5%): This French bubbly was once one of the world’s great wine values, but the price has increased  by almost one-half since then. Having said that, it’s still worth buying — a bit soft (apples and stone fruit instead of citrus), but that’s a terroir and grape thing, given the wine is made mostly with pinot blanc in Alsace. Highly recommended. Imported by Foley Family Wines 

• Dr. Loosen Riesling Extra Dry Sekt NV ($23, sample, 12%): Very well done riesling sparkling from Germany, with wonderful balance and those tight, delicious bubbles. Quite fresh, with tart green apple fruit and not especially sweet even though it’s extra dry. Imported by Loosen Bros USA

• Bouvet Brut NV ($12, purchased, 12%): Once again, the French Bouvet is a stunning value — zippy mouth feel and lemon apple fruit in a wine that puts other $12 sparklers to shame. Buy a case! Imported by Kobrand

• Bruno Paillard Champagne Brut Premiere Cuvée NV ($56, sample, 12%): Classic Champagne, made in the crisp, fresh, and less yeasty style, and a tremendous value given what Champagne costs. Look for citrus and green apple fruit and maybe some caramel in the back.  Imported by Serendipity Imports

More about New Year’s sparkling wine
• New Year’s sparkling wine 2020
• New Year’s sparkling wine 2019
• New Year’s sparkling wine 2018
• Expensive wine 147: Laherte Freres Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut Nature NV
• The good old days of Texas Champagne

Photo:

New Year's sparkling wine 2019

New Year’s sparkling wine 2020

New Yea's sparkling wine 2020New Year’s sparkling wine 2020 recommendations, because value and quality matter

Once again, the blog focuses on value and quality for New Year’s sparkling wine 2020. Consider these wines for toasting, dinners, or just because you’re in the mood for bubbly. Also handy: The blog’s annual wine gift guidelines and the sparkling wine primer.

• Dutcher Crossing Blanc de Blancs 2016 ($45, sample, 12%): California sparkler is top-notch and, given bubbly prices, a fair value. Look for crisp, green apple-y fruit, with some brioche in the background to remind you this is a high-class wine. Very tight bubbles. Highly recommended.

• Bouvet Brut NV ($12, purchased, 12%): This French sparkler from the Loire does not taste like Champagne. Does it taste like quality bubbly, with tight bubbles,a  zingy mouth feel. and lemon apple fruit? Yep. Would that all sparkling wine at this price was this well made. Highly recommended. Imported by Kobrand

• Empire Estate Blanc de Blancs NV ($19, sample, 11.9%): Price may be a problem, but this New York riesling sparkler, made with the charmat method, is quality wine — soft bubbles, some green apple fruit, decent minerality, and a long finish.

• Casteller Cava NV ($12, purchased, 11.5%): This Spanish bubbly is among the few remaining great cheap Spanish sparkling wines, which have been devastated by consolidation and premiumization. Apple and pear fruit, tight bubbles, and a marvelous wine all around. Highly recommended. Imported by Ole & Obrigado

More on New Year’s sparkling wine
• New Year’s sparkling wine 2019
• New Year’s sparkling wine 2018
• New Year’s sparkling wine 2017
• Expensive wine 111: Pehu Simonet Champagne Face Nord Extra Brut NV
• Enough with the Champagne glass conspiracy already – can’t we just drink and enjoy?

Photo: “Sparkling wine” by tristanf is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Wine of the week: Val D’Oca Prosecco Extra Dry NV

Val D'Oca ProseccoThe Val D’Oca Prosecco offers surprising quality and value for a New Year’s sparkling wine

Most Prosecco that costs less than $15 tastes mostly the same – a little sweet, not very sparkling, and kind of blah. There’s nothing really wrong with these version of the Italian sparkling wine, but it’s not something that you look forward to drinking. Enter the Val D’Oca Prosecco.

The Val D’Oca Prosecco ($12, purchased, 11%) has most of the things that the others don’t. Yes, it’s a little sweet, but the sweetness is balanced by a touch of citrus (lime?). Meanwhile, the bubbles are surprisingly tight and bubbly for a Prosecco, and the finish is actually clean and almost crisp. Again, that’s not common for a Proseocco at this price.

Finally, it’s also quite food friendly, whether to pair with something like grilled shrimp with with fried appetizers like frito misto. In this, it’s too well made to use for mimosas.

Rather, it’s exactly the kind of wine to toast the New Year with when you don’t want to spend $40. Highly recommended, and this comes from someone who doesn’t usually say that about Prosecco.

Imported by Prestige Wine Imports

New Year's sparkling wine 2019

New Year’s sparkling wine 2019

New Year's sparkling wine 2019New Year’s sparkling wine 2019 recommendations that emphasize value and quality

Anyone can spend $50 for a bottle of sparkling wine, and too many people do. Hence, value and quality for a more than reasonable price for New Year’s sparkling wine 2019.

Consider these wines for your New Year’s sparkling wine 2019 celebrations. Also handy: The blog’s annual wine gift guidelines and the sparkling wine primer.

• La Granja 360 Cava Brut NV ($7, purchased, 11.5%): This Trader Joe’s Spanish bubbly, pleasant and sweetish, tastes more like Italian Prosecco than cava. But if you don’t mind the style (common for Trader Joe’s sparkling wines), than you’ll appreciate the soft fruit (less tart green apple and more red delicious) and a much softer mouth feel. But the bubbles are tight, and you can do a lot worse at this price. Imported by Evaki

• Da Luca Prosecco NV ($10, sample, 11%): Acceptable, fairly priced Italian sparkling wine. It’s not especially sweet, which surprised me, but it’s still soft, though the bubbles are tight and the lemon fruit holds the wine together. Imported by Accolade Wines North America

• Dellara Cava Brut NV ($6, sample, 12%): This Aldi Spanish sparkler is a step up from similarly priced supermarket wines like Freixenet. Look for tart lemon and green apple fruit, decent bubbles, and some minerality. Imported by Mack & Schuhle

• De Chanceny Crémant de Loire Brut NV ($17, sample, 12.5%): Professionally made bubbly from France’s Loire, with the telltale chenin blanc lemon fruit and hint of softness. Tight, poppy bubbles and just enough acidity. Imported by Signature Imports

More on New Year’s sparkling wine
• New Year’s sparkling wine 2018
• New Year’s sparkling wine 2017
• New Year’s sparkling wine 2016
• Expensive wine 125: Two Bruno Paillard Champagnes
• Do consumers need to start worrying about flat sparkling wine?

New Year's sparkling wine 2019

New Year’s sparkling wine 2018

new year's sparkling wine 2018

New Year’s sparkling wine 2018 recommendations for those of us who want value and quality

The one thing I was reminded of during the blog’s Champagne boycott? That Champagne, the sparkling wine from the Champagne region of France, is not the be all and end all when it comes to bubbly. Yes, it’s some of the finest wine in the world. But it’s also some of the most expensive. And we demand value on the blog, even when it comes to New Year’s sparkling wine 2018.

Consider these wines for your New Year’s sparkling wine 2018 celebrations. Also handy: The blog’s annual wine gift guidelines and the sparkling wine primer.

• Carpenè Malvolti Rosé Cuvée Brut NV ($17, sample, 12%): Nicely done Italian rose sparkling that’s not actually Prosecco — it’s a little sturdier in style and has firmer bubbles, though still made using the charmat method, Plus, pinot noir fruit (cherry? strawberry?), though $17 may be a bit much for some. Imported by Angelini Wine

• Vibraciones Cava Brut Rose NV ($10, purchased, 11.5%): A Hall of Fame quality Spanish sparker made with the traditional trepat grape; no pinot noir foolishness here. Look for freshness, bright red berry fruit,  and top-notch bubbles. Highly recommended.  Imported by Winesellers Ltd.

• Jacquesson & Fils Champagne Cuvée No. 739 NV ($69, sample, 12%): Beautiful and fairly-priced Champagne that sits halfway between a more commercial yeasty, brioche cuvee and something that focuses more on fruit and acidity. Tight bubbles, a bracing finish, and tart green apple fruit. Highly recommended. Imported by Vintage 59

• Barcino Cava Brut NV ($15, sample, 11.5%): This Spanish bubbly is all one can ask for in a wine at this price, and then some. It’s taut, almost zesty, tart, and interesting. Look for lemon and apple fruit in wonderful balance. Highly recommended. Imported by Ole Imports

More on New Year’s sparkling wine
• New Year’s sparkling wine 2017
• New Year’s sparkling wine 2016
• New Year’s sparkling wine 2015
• Wine of the week: De Chanceny Cremant de Loire Brut NV
• Happiness through cava and bratwurst