My mom really wanted to host a wine party for our friends and family while Matt and I were home visiting this holiday season. I quickly agreed and the idea of a sparkling wine tasting emerged as perfect for just before the New Year. I picked 10 bottles in an attempt to represent the breadth of sparkling wine choices available and to compare and contrast similar styles from different regions. Following are the wines and the order in which I served them. We had 24 people, so this was as much an exercise in my pouring skills as anything else!
Matt catches me mid-talk with his wonderful photography!
1. Botter Verduzzo Prosecco
Ran about $12, had several folks who chose this as their favorite.
2. Segura Viudas Brut Reserva Cava
About $12. Not my favorite Cava ever, but a decent example.
3. Iron Horse 2005 Wedding Cuvée Blanc de Noirs
One of the top picks for everyone for the evening. I personally loved this one, and even at a cost of $42, I would get it again in a heartbeat.
Dad's friend Dave diligently takes notes on the tasting sheets I made.
4. Roederer Estate Sparkling Brut
Always a crowd pleaser, many folks chose this one as their favorite. About $20.
5. Bernard Brémont Grand Cru Brut Champagne
I liked this one. Ran me about $30.
6. Jean Albrecht Crémant d’Alsace Brut Reserve
About $18. I since had several sparklers made by his father Lucien, which I really enjoyed.
Dad waits to fetch another bottle while Unlce Frank hams for the camera.
7. Louis Bouillot Crémant de Bourgogne Brut Rose
About $12. It was a toss up for me between this Rose and the latter.
8. Schramsberg “Mirabelle” Brut Rose
About $22. Lots of folks loved this one.
9. Shingleback Sparkling Shiraz “Black Bubbles”
About $10. This was a love it or hate it wine. About half the folks loved and about half the folks couldn’t stand it. I’m still “meh” about sparkling Shiraz, but I wanted to show the range of sparkling wine options.
The Aftermath.
10. Casa Sant’Orsola 2007 Moscato d’Asti
About $12. Here’s where I made a mistake. I should have served this one first. Everyone loved it because it was so sweet, and although I really enjoy Moscato d’Asti, as the 10th wine of the night, the sweetness really stood out among the other sparklers and I think threw people’s perception of it.
Matt and my cousin's husband Scott had a conference call on what to wear and how tall men marrying into the family should be.
Overall, I think everyone had a really great time, and I got to geek out a bit while hopefully imparting some valuable wine knowledge. Theme of the evening–all sparkling wine is not Champagne!
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