New Years Sparkling Wines

Hello Everyone!

The Holiday season is winding down with New Years right around the corner, and what other way to ring in the New Year than with some BUBBLY!!! Sparkling wines are a New Years Eve staple and overall, the most exciting wine for celebrating. Georgetown LOVES sparkling wines, from unbelievable Grower Champagnes to Italian Prosecco. Here’s some different sparkling wines to think about for your New Years Eve:

Silver Cap Blanc de Blanc – This is a simply, fruity sparkler from France, and one of our top values!
Price: $6.77

Gloria Ferrer Sonoma Brut NV- This wine is a domestic, Methode Champenoise sparkling wine that has recently received some amazing press! 90 points Wine Spectator AND # 78 on the 2009 Wine Spectator Top 100 list! Here’s what they have to say about this wine:
“Lively and fun to drink, with creamy Asian pear and citrus aromas that lead to crisp, easygoing apple, yeasty cinnamon and mineral flavors. Drink now through 2012.”
Price: $14.77 ON SALE

Domaine St. Vincent – This is Methode Champenoise sparkling wine from, who would have guessed, NEW MEXICO! It is a delicious wine, especially at this price point. It’s bright and lively with crisp fruit and classic toasty elements. TRY THIS.
Price: $9.77

Raventos I Blanc l’Hereu Reserva Brut – This wine has been a Georgetown favorite for quite some time now. This is a DELICIOUS Spanish Cava, which means that it too is produced in the classic method (Methode Champenoise) but does not use the traditional French grapes (Cava uses cool indigenous Spanish varieties to make this sparkler). This is another wine that can be classified in the sparkling value pile and DEFINITELY worth a try. Surprise your friends with this Spanish treat!
Price: $16.77

Jean Louis Denois Brut Blanc de Blanc – This is an awesome little Classic Method Bubbly from Limoux in the Languedoc region in Southern France. This is a Blanc de Blanc (100% Chardonnay) making this a bright and lively sparkling wine with gorgeous acidity, fresh fruit flavors, and notes of toasted almond.
Price: $19.99

Domaine Carneros by Taittinger – We’re back to a fine example of Domestic Classic Method Sparkling wine. This is a special winery because it has a rich history in California Classic Method Sparkling Wine production and is part of the Taittinger family of Champagne wine makers. This wine recently got 91 points Wine Spectator, here’s what they have to say about it:
“Festive and vibrant, but rich and complex, with bright aromas of fresh cherry and lemon that lead to luscious flavors of raspberry, yeasty pear and crisp mineral. Drink now.”
Price: $21.77

Schramsberg Mirabelle Rose – This is a GORGEOUS Rose from the Schramsberg Family of Wine Makers in California. Schramsberg was one of the pioneering Classic Method Producers in California and continue to produces incredible Sparkling wines. This rose received 93 points Wine Spectator, here’s their review of this luscious rose:
“A rosé with serious intentions, this has a delicate pink hue and floral strawberry and spicy yeast roll aromas. The flavors show good focus, offering raspberry, Gala apple, ginger and fig flavors. Drink now through 2012.”
Price: $23.77

H. Billiot et Fils Rose – GROWER CHAMPAGNE, a concept dear and true to any Champagne lover. Grower Champagne is basically defined as a wine that is produced from sustainably farmed, estate grown fruit. These wines tend to have a much lower production and is produced from the same farmers/wine makers that grow the fruit. This particular Grower Champagne comes from Henri Billiot et Fils and is an unbelievably delicious rose! This wine has also received some press, Wine Spectator gave it 91 points and here’s their review:
“Floral, yeasty and nutty aromas and flavors mesh with the rich texture in this radiant rosé. Elegant and beautifully balanced. The flavors just keep coursing through the lingering finish.”
Price: $56.00

Duval-Leroy – We have 2 different styles of Champagne from this wonderful Champagne producer this New Years, each of them unique and DELICIOUS.

Duval-Leroy Brut NV – This has been a long standing Georgetown favorite, and happens to be one of our best value Champagnes! This wine has received a lot of acclaim from Wine Spectator with a 93 point rating as well as being listed on their Top 100 list in 2005, 2006, and 2008. Here’s their review on this wine:
“This rich, sumptuous bubbly is marked by clover honey, candied citrus and hints of malt and mineral. It's beautifully integrated, with medium weight and a lingering, ginger-infused aftertaste.”
Price: $32.77

Duval-Leroy Brut Rose – On to Duval-Leroy’s Rose… this is another amazing effort by this Campagne house and received 90 points Wine Spectator:
“A mix of cinnamon, clove and nutmeg highlight this delicate rosé. A hint of cherry enters as the fine texture and bright structure drive the flavors to a long finish.Well-integrated.”
Price: $53.77

Vilmart e Cie ‘Grand Cellier’ Brut – Vilmart is another one of the fine Grower Champagne producers and their Grand Cellier is EXCEPTIONAL (and not to mention a Georgetown favorite!). This wine received 93 points Wine Spectator:
“Alluring toasty aromas of vanilla, coconut and coffee mingle with fresh citrus, rhubarb and red currant flavors. Beautifully integrated with the refined mousse, this lingers with citrus and spice notes on the long finish.”
Price: $64.99

Pierre Gimmonet Blanc de Blanc- This is a gorgeous, refined Blanc de Blanc Grower Champagne. It is beautifully long and lean and packed with green apple and crisp fruit. Wine Spectator gave this wine 90 points, here’s their review:
“Brisk and compact, exhibiting apple, floral and lemon notes on a lean profile. Nicely balanced and crisp on the finish.”
Price: $47.99

A Margaine Demi-Sec – This wine also falls into the family of Grower Champagnes, but holds it’s own spotlight being the only Demi-Sec Champagne in our selection. This wine also received 90 points by Wine Spectator:
“Elegant and lightly sweet, with ginger, lemon and honey notes. It has good structure and length, with vanilla pastry accent on the lingering finish.”
Price: $41.99

We hope that these reviews have been helpful and that everyone enjoys a healthy and happy New Year!