New Year’s eve is almost here and that makes it the perfect time to talk about champagne. As the official drink of NYE, and the signature beverage of royalty and celebrities alike, champagne sits atop a lofty perch, for sure. But it’s not just for the elite anymore. A crisp and effervescent flute of bubbles can lift anyone’s spirits and it makes the perfect gift for any occasion. It’s time to demystify the drink of kings and queens…
Champagne vs. Sparkling Wine
First, let’s talk about the difference between champagne and the other sparkling wines. All champagne is considered sparkling wine, but only those that come from the Champagne region of France can sport the label. Also, it must be made of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier grapes and aged for a minimum of 18 months.
Champagne is generally more expensive because of the strict standards employed in the winemaking process. I particularly enjoy Perrier Jouet and Veuve Clicquot, both normally priced under $70 at your local liquor store and make for a really nice gift.
Sparkling wine is made all over the world using a wide variety of grape varietals and vintner techniques. Usually more economical, they are perfect for informal moments and mixing with juices or liqueurs:
- Cava from the Penedes region of Spain
- Prosecco from the Veneto region of Italy
- Sekt from Austria and Germany
- Cremant from France
Flutes are Best 
Proper glassware is imperative – there are several types, but flutes are best. They not only store easier on the shelf, but they also help retain the effervescence due to their sleek shape. The site Le Grande Courtage offered the helpful graphic you see here (and there’s a lot more on the subject of champagne).
On the Rocks?
A recent trend has been to serve sparkling wine over ice in a rocks glass. This works very well for al fresco summer evenings and is generally recommended for less expensive bottles. Just be sure to serve all sparkling wines as cold as possible, chilling the glassware if you can.
Bubbly Cocktails
Here are a few classic ways to upgrade a sparkling wine – perfect for a brunch event, or as a passed cocktail to start a party (each is served in a flute):
- Champagne Cocktail
- Glass of champagne
- 2 dashes of bitters
- 1 tsp. of sugar
- Stir without ice, garnish with n extralong spiral twist of lemon peel
- Kir Royale
- Dash of Creme de cassis (Chambord)
- Champagne to fill
- Mimosa
- 1 part sparkling wine
- 1 part orange juice
- Bellini
- 1 part peach puree
- 1 part sparkling wine
Next, we’ll focus our eyes on brunch and some ideal libations for daytime sipping. In the meantime, keep mixing and pouring!
Happy New Year to all!
By Jon Hansell | December 29, 2023