Though there are plenty of other great sparkling wines in the world, something about New Year’s Eve just demands Champagne. By some estimates, about a quarter of the Champagne consumed every year in the U.S. is purchased between Christmas and New Year’s. Since New Year’s Eve is tomorrow and you’re likely considering what bottles to bring with you to your celebrations, here are a few quick suggestions to look out for.
You can’t go wrong with sparkling wine at a holiday party.
$50 or under: You’ve had Veuve and Moët and Taittinger. Time to try another well-known French label: Nicolas Feuillatte. The Brut Reserve is a blend of the three major Champagne grapes: Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay. It has a bright house style with lovely notes of flowers and crisp winter fruits like apple and pear.
$50-$150: You might not have heard of Pommery, but it’s the Champagne house that pioneered the brut style back in 1874. Its flagship wine is the Cuvée Louise, named after the winery’s founder, Louise Pommery. The current release is the 2002 vintage, and is complex thanks to notes of citrus and tropical fruits, but also the lightest touch of toast and a buoyant acidity.
$150+: Make the start of 2017 something special with a rosé Champagne that also just happens to be stellar. Taittinger is one of my favorite Champagne houses thanks to its focused, bold Chardonnay-driven wines. But the current release of its prestige rosé, the 2005 Comtes de Champagne Brut Rosé has lush, heady aromas of strawberry and plum thanks to the 70% Pinot Noir of which it is composed, not to mention practically perfect, tiny bubbles that will tickle your tongue.
Here are some other Champagne fun facts you can impress your friends with before the ball drops on 2017 as well as some toasts. And in the meantime, a happy, healthy new year to all!
Tweet me @clustercrush and let me know what you end up drinking this New Year’s Eve!
