Sparkling wine review: Cristalino Brut Cava

| December 27th, 2010

Besides Segura Viudas Cava, this little $10 number is a favorite in the “cheap” sparkling wine category. Widely available too.

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Sparkling wine review: Lucien Albrecht Cremant d'Alsace Brut

| December 18th, 2010

This French Crémant (crim-AUNT) hails from the Alsace region of France, where they aren’t allowed to call their sparkling wines Champagne. This is kind of a good thing. Like Pinot Noir drinkers before Sideways released, people “in the know” can enjoy great Champagne-esque wine at lower prices.

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Champagne taste, beer budget: The best bubbly for the buck

| December 13th, 2010

Tiny bubbles titillate. There’s something mesmerizing about watching liquid confetti flood a tall, fluted glass. It’s hard to describe, but “sensual” comes close. Inexpensive sparklers double the effect, with the added rush of bargainship completing the moment. And now, thanks to the growing popularity of bubblies in other countries and the recession, deals on quality juice are more prevalent.

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Sparkling wine review: Domaine Carneros 2006 Brut Cuvee

| December 10th, 2010

As the American outpost of the famed French Champagne house Taittinger, vintage after vintage, Domaine Carneros the best way to drink Champagne-ish on a craft beer budget. Great value for the money.

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Duval Leroy Rose Champagne Non Vintage

| December 3rd, 2010

Yes, there’s definitely something sensual, sexy and seductive about a glass of Champagne. And if it has a tint of salmon pink color to it, it give me chills like I’m about to enjoy well… you get the point. The result in this French bubbly yields red fruit on the tongue… tart red cherry, red apple and strawberries. Not sweet but zingy.

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Wine review: Martini Prosecco DOC

| November 17th, 2010

Prosecco, the name of a perfumey grape as well as a lightly fizzy, refreshing sparkling wine from Italy, can be absolutely beautiful but also complete crap. Shopping by name or specific region is imperative and Martini and Rossi is always consistent (you might have heard of their sweet Asti Spumante? Not the same thing).

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Five American red and white wines over $30 worth the price

| September 22nd, 2010

Current reports say wine prices won’t reach the offensive heights we’ve seen in the past ten years for quite a while, if ever again. Value is the new norm. Bad for the wineries who have enjoyed mega profits and success but good thing for us, right? Now, we can enjoy $60, $80, $100 for (almost) half price.Some highlights of red, white and sparkling wines I’ve enjoyed over the past few months.

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Domaine Carneros 2005 Brut

| December 29th, 2009

Domaine Carneros is the California outpost of France’s famed Taittinger Champagne house, located in a opulent chateau on the eastern side of Carneros in Napa Valley. In 2008, they received certifed organic status for their vineyards — the first sparkling wine house to achieve that in America.

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Zonin Prosecco

| December 28th, 2009

This season, behemoth Italian wine producer/importer Zonin has put a ton of money into promoting this Italian sparkling wine, driving its sales up and the public’s awareness of a Champagne alternative. They tout the “Italian lifestyle” and educate us about Prosecco: How its made, the Prosecco grape, how it pairs with all sorts of food. Which is good, since it’s true.

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Roederer Estate Brut

| December 23rd, 2009

Domestic sparkling wine worthy of the French.

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