Bargain bubbles that won't burst the budget
By Michelle Locke. Associated Press Writer
Trying to sate Champagne tastes when you're stuck with a beer budget can be a problem, but, say wine experts, there is frugal fizz to be had.
Champagne, to be precise, generally is considered only sparkling wine from the region of France of the same name. And quaffing bottles that bear that name comes at a premium.
But there are lower-priced options, including U.S. and Australian sparkling wines, Spanish cavas and Italian proseccos.
"As the years go on, they're getting better and better because the technology and the skill of making these products is increasing," says Wilfred Wong, cellar master for the Beverages & More chain with stores in California and Arizona.
A Guide to the Bubbly Stuff
- Brut nature: less than 2 (grams of sugar per liter)
- Extra-brut: 0-6
- Brut: less than 15
- Extra dry/sec: 12-20
- Dry or sec: 17-35
- Demi-sec: 33-50
- Doux: more than 50
- Brut nature: (Not sweetened)
- Brut: (extra dry)
- Seco: (dry)
- Semiseco: (medium)
- Dulce: (sweet)
Best Bubbles for Your Buck
There's no sound quite so romantic as that of a Champagne cork popping, but it can also mean a puffed-up price tag. That doesn't mean you have to skimp on the sparkly stuff. We've got the inside fizz on Cava, Prosecco and other bevies that deliver plenty of bang for the buck, as well as tips about how to store, serve and properly pop it.
Champagne 101
While many people use the term champagne to indicate any sort of sparking wine, it much more specifically -- and in many countries, legally -- refers to carbonated wine made from white Chardonnay, black Pinot Noir or Pinot Meunier, Pinot Blanc, Arbane or Petit Meslier grapes in the Champagne region of France.
The amount of sugar added in the Champagne's second fermentation determines its variety, from driest to sweetest.
There's no doubt that it's yummy stuff, but you just might find your fizz on a different part of the grape map.
Prosecco, Asti, Frizzante & Spumante
Prosecco is Champagne's Italian cousin, and is made exclusively (again with the legality) from Prosecco grapes grown in the Conegliano and Valdobbiadene wine-growing regions north of Venice.
More importantly, it's got all the festive pop and yum of Champagne, but tends to cost a heck of a lot less. Slip it into your guests' flutes, and we bet that no one will know the difference.
A traditional Bellini just isn't quite right without the tingle of Prosecco.
Spumante is the general Italian term for sparkling wine. Among the most famous of these are the dessert wines called Asti and the semi-sparkling Frizzante -- both made from the Moscato grape. They're not direct subs for Champagne as they're sweeter and lower in alcohol, but they're a wonderfully sweet end to a festive evening.
Cava
Surprise your guests with delicious, sparkling Spanish Cava. Again, it's often more affordable than Champagne, but doesn't sacrifice a single bit of lusciousness. Cava is produced mainly in the Penedes region of Catalonia, Spain, comesin shades of pink or white, and sweetness levels that are somewhat equivalent to those used to classify Champagne.
American Sparkling Wine
The good ol' USA has made tremendous strides in the sparkling wine field, moving away from the sickly sweet 1970s dinner party staples to tremendously nuanced blends using traditional Champagne grapes like Chardonnay, Pinot noir, Pinot Meunier and Pinot blanc. Due to favorable grape-growing climates such as those California's Sonoma Valley, American sparkling wine producers are able to produce vintage wines nearly every year.
Though some producers skirt appellation control laws by referring to their product as "California Champagne" and "American Champagne," domestic sparklers have their own appeal, quite distinct from those of Champagne proper.
Seek out tastings at your local wine shop and see which American fizzies grab your fancy.
Serving Tips
Hollywood may love a showy pop and fizz, but that's just spraying away the good stuff. For guest (and spirits) safety, aim away from any faces or breakable objects, tilt the bottle at a 45 degree angle and hold the cork in place. Twist the bottle gently and ease the cork up and out. It might not be quite as spectacular a presentation, but you'll have plenty more to sip!
And NEVER use a corkscrew. The corks are highly pressurized, and these aren't the kind of New Year's fireworks you want to see.
Chill the bottle down to about 43-48 degrees in a Champagne bucket or sink filled with ice and water, and fill flutes about 2/3 of the way. And don't stick the bottle in the freezer for a quick chill. Fill a bucket with ice, water and a handful of salt and plunge the bottle in for about 30 minutes, or stick it in the fridge for no longer than one hour.
FIZZY COCKTAILS
Still thirsty? Browse more Champagne cocktail recipes in our Champagne Cocktail Guide, or mix up these fizzy faves.
- Pomegranate Champagne Punch
- Blue Champagne
- Cockney Champagne
- Champagne Punch
- Strawberry Champagne Punch
- Strawberry Lemon Champagne Frappe
- Champagne Fizz
- Champagne Martini
- Melon Champagne
- Mock Champagne
- Champagne Rita
- Dangerous Orbit Champagne Cocktail
So here are some sparklers generally available for around $10 (prices may vary by region).
Wong recommends:
— Cristalino cava brut, "very fresh and it's good. It's been consistent for a long time, but every year they get better."
— Domaine Ste. Michelle blanc de blanc, "elegant, tart and rich, but also wonderful flavors."
— Freixenet cordon negro brut, "very consistent, a little drier. The black bottle's very sexy."
— Yellow Tail sparkling white wine, "it's easy drinking."
— Segura Viudas Aria, (this one may bust the budget, but discounted versions do go for under $10), "a little cleaner, crisper, it's very appealing."
— Dolce Vita prosecco, (also sometimes found at above $10, but often available for less on promotion) "fresh and bright, a soft prosecco."
Sbrocco suggests:
— Barefoot Cellars, Barefoot Bubbly Chardonnay Champagne, "not overly complex, but a refreshing crowd-pleaser that pairs perfectly with party fare, such as popcorn or potato chips."
— Crane Lake Brut, "fruity and straightforward but a good pick for making holiday cocktails with a splash of cranberry or pomegranate juice."
And from Natalie MacLean, of the Nat Decants wine Web site, two wines hovering around the $10 price point:
— Ricossa Moscato D'Asti, "A lovely frizzante (slightly sparkling wine) with aromas of ripe peaches and limes. Drink as an aperitif or with mildly spiced Thai or Indian dishes, biscotti or fruit desserts."
— Banrock Station Sparkling Chardonnay. "A generous, fruity bubbly with notes of green apples and white peach. I pair it with Chinese takeout, almonds, brie cheese, sushi and potato chips."
