Sparkling Wines To Enjoy With The Warm Days Of Summer!
Let’s make the most of these last weeks of Summertime and eat, drink, and be merry with all the best crisp, bubbly wines out there!
Enjoy this breakdown of the various types of Sparkling Wines and where they come from.
Pair them with some light bites in the evenings as you lounge by the pool or under the shade of a tree with loved ones, soaking up the sun and the end of Summer.
Sparkling wine isn’t just Champagne, and if it were, even Champagne has quite a bit of diversity in style. So, in order to find your favorite type of bubbly let’s break down the different styles of sparkling wine based on taste including suggestions on wines that fit each profile.
Sparkling wine is (arguably) the most technical wine in the world. What makes the stuff so technical is that it undergoes not just one fermentation (to make the alcohol) but a second fermentation to make bubbles! Throughout the entire winemaking process, the winemaker has a lot of choices to make that will greatly affect the way the final wine tastes.
-- Types of Sparkling Wines --
*LIGHT, DRY, & FLORAL*
Still light in taste, these wines have more floral and fruit notes typically from the grapes that have been blended into the wine. This style made in warmer climate growing regions, such as Sonoma, California.
Examples:
-Most Brut and Extra-Dry Prosecco (aka Valdobbiadene)
-Most Franciacorta (“fran-cha-court-ah”)
-Sparkling Rosé
-Riesling Sekt (from Germany and Austria)
-Most American, Argentine and South African (Cap Classique) sparkling wines
-Extra-Dry sparkling wines
Our Pick:
((We LOVE Santa Margherita Sparkling Rosé, a pink Sparkling Wine from Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy))
*This delicious wine pairs well with a large variety of foods, such as savory appetizers, complex seafood dishes, and anything spicy.
Open a bottle along with goat cheese souffle, scallops with roasted garlic and pesto, or a slow-cooked spicy red chicken curry. It also brings a delightful sparkle to a festive brunch or your favorite rich dessert.
YES, PLEASE :)
*DRY & ZESTY*
Dry and zesty wines are made with non-aromatic grapes like Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. They also typically come from the coolest climate wine regions.
Examples:
-Most NV (non-vintage) Champagne
-Most Cava
-Most Brut and Extra Brut level sparkling wine
-Most Brut Nature (aka. Pas Dosé, Pas Dosage) sparkling wines
((Find some delicious Brut wines here)): https://anti...ratta.com/en/
*Best foods to pair with a brut:
(Dry Brut): Lobster, Roast Chicken
(Classic): Steak, White Truffle, Potatoes, Citrus, Fried Chicken
(Sweet): Popcorn, Octopus
(Pink Brut like Rosé): Duck, Crab Cakes, Pizza, Spicy Foods, Cured Meats
*SWEET & PERFUMED*
Sweet sparkling wines are either sweetened during the dosage portion of winemaking or are made with aromatic grapes like Muscat (aka Moscato)
Examples:
-Dry Prosecco (aka Valdobbiadene)
-Demi-Sec and Doux sparkling wines
-Amabile and Dolce Italian sparkling wines
-Brachetto d’Acqui (a Rosé wine)
-Asti Spumante (made with Moscato)
Our Pick:
One of our favorites is Cantine Maschio Prosecco Brut, a Non-Vintage Sparkling Wine from Prosecco, Italy.
This wine (and other dry proseccos pairs well with antipasto and hors d'oeuvres, light fish dishes, sushi andsashimi, fresh fruit, and pastries. Serve chilled.
LIGHT BITES!
Here are some delicious ideas for little noshes to serve with he sparking wines (or any kind of beverage you like!).
https://www....ndlightbites-
ENTERTAINMENT
Remember there are still lots of great ways to have fun and hang out, in small groups or virtually right now! Our painting classes make an awesome pairing for your tasty drinks and snacks, so take advantage of our virtual, in-person classes, and take-home paint kits, ASAP!
Cheers!