Used to be bubbles were out of reach for everyday drinking, but then quality Italian Prosecco came along. Like the Sorelle Bronca Prosecco that I tasted at a wine bar in Santa Rosa in Northern California. By the glass for $8. An absolute steal.
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Sparkling wine reviews
Sparkling wine review: Gran Pasion Brut Cava
Winemaker Paul Clear’s first effort was Palarea 2005 Tinto, a red wine blend and the second, this Spanish Cava, made from a traditional blend of native Spanish grape varieties.
... Read More »Sparkling wine review: Cristalino Brut Cava
Besides Segura Viudas Cava, this little $10 number is a favorite in the “cheap” sparkling wine category. Widely available too.
... Read More »Sparkling wine review: Lucien Albrecht Cremant d’Alsace Brut
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 ... Read More »
Champagne taste, beer budget: The best bubbly for the buck
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 ... Read More »
Sparkling wine review: Domaine Carneros 2006 Brut Cuvee
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.
... Read More »Duval Leroy Rose Champagne Non Vintage
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 ... Read More »
Wine review: Martini Prosecco DOC
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? ... Read More »
Five American red and white wines over $30 worth the price
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 ... Read More »
Domaine Carneros 2005 Brut
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Zonin Prosecco
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, ... Read More »
Roederer Estate Brut
It took a while for the French to discover that soil and climate in Cali could produce a grog worthy of their name. Louis Roederer Champagne house staked their claim to the possibilities in 1982, buying up acres of land 125 miles north of San Francisco in Mendocino County’s Anderson Valley. Back ... Read More »