Nothing rings in a shiny new year like bubbles! By bubbles, we mean Champagne, Prosecco, Cava, Cremant, or domestic sparkling wines.
If you’re hosting a party and don’t want to drop some serious cash to toast in the new year, there are plenty of sparkling wines other than Champagne you should consider. In fact, outside of Champagne, France has 23 other sparkling wine regions that produce fantastic bubbly.
Here is a short list of regional names for non-French wines that are made in the traditional Champagne style:
- Italy: Metodo Classico (not Prosecco or Lambrusco: see why)
- Spain: Cava and Espumoso
- Germany and Austria: Sekt
- South Africa: Cap Classique
- Portugal and Argentina: Espumante
- USA, Australia, Chile, etc: Traditional Method and “Méthode Champenoise”
We’ve put together five affordable and delicious bubbly options that are sure to elevate any New Year celebration!
1. Abel Charlot Brut, Champagne, NV
This fully sparkling methode champenoise blend of 15% Chardonnay, 50% Meunier, and 35% Pinot Noir including 10% reserve wines (for richness and complexity) raises the bar for value in Champagne. Pale gold straw in color and fully sparkling, dry and fresh with a hint of phenolics. Toasty-biscuity bubbly offering citrus and tree fruit with subtle mineral earth. Classic Brut Champagne in a toastier style.
2. Dibon Cava
Cava, Catalan sparkling wine, is made mostly in the regions of Penedès, and the capital of cava is Sant Sadurni d’Anoia. This traditional blend of Xarel-lo, Parellada and Macabeo is inexpensive but far from cheap. Full of toasty, nutty, qualities with notes of cinnamon and corn meal this is very complex aromatically. The nose offers regal yeast and richness, while the palate has complexity to prop up apple, citrus and grapefruit flavors. Solid from front to back, with health and freshness.
3. Francois Labet Brut Crémant De Bourgogne Pinot Noir
This is a great sparkling wine from the Burgundy appellation made in the champagne method (methode champenoise). It is made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay (2 of the 3 champagne grapes, the third is Pinot Meuneir). An appley, crisp, and fresh Crémant offering the delicate flavors of kiwis, green plums, and a touch of toast.
4. Tosca Brut Prosecco Glera
Prosecco is an Italian white sparkling wine. Prosecco is produced using the Charmat method, in which the secondary fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks. Tosca Brut Prosecco Glera, a sparkling wine from northern Italy’s celebrated Veneto region, is as refreshing on a warm afternoon as a paper cone of lemon Italian ice. Lemon, in fact, is the predominant note in this elegant, minimalist sparkler.
5. Andre Clouet Brut
Andre Clouet is based in Bouzy, a village where Pinot Noir speaks with great eloquence, as is evident in this superb, pedigreed Champagne. This extremely good value, all Pinot Noir Champagne comes exclusively from grand cru vineyards. While it is packed with ripe pear and apricot fruit aromas, it is lifted by citrus and white flower notes. Complex and forward in style, with some biscuity characters and a long, persistent finish. This impeccable, elegant wine shows terrific overall balance as well as complexity.
