Not All Bubbly

Is Champagne

As midnight approaches, we are all looking for the perfect beverage to toast the New Year. Most of us prefer something effervescent. What exactly are these wines with bubbles called?

Champagne has almost become a generic term for any sparkling wine. However, Champagne is actually a sparkling wine that is produced in the Champagne region of France. Champagne is made from Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier grapes. The Champagne region where these grapes are grown is located northeast of Paris.

The famous names of Dom Perignon and Cristal are true French Champagnes. All other producers of sparkling wines have agreed not to call their products Champagne. It may take much longer for the general public to become accustomed to the distinction between sparkling wines and Champagne.

Sparkling wines that are equally acceptable for toasting the New Year are produced in almost every winemaking region in the world. Spanish Cavas are tasty little bubblys that are generally quite inexpensive.

Proseccos from Northern Italy are also delightful sparkling wines that are not quite as dry as some of their sparkling brethren.

Many of the French Champagne houses have invested in California wineries that are also producing absolutely delicious sparkling wines.

Prices for sparkling wines can range from well under $10 to hundreds of dollars for a single bottle. Quality, production methods and prestige all contribute to the price of sparkling wines. A little bit of tasting should enable the discriminating wine drinker to determine the style of sparkling wine that they like best.

So as we raise our glass to toast, allow me to toast another year of health, happiness, and the enjoyment of fine wines.

(Newtown resident and wine enthusiast Steve Small is the new general manager at Yankee Wine & Spirits on Queen Street.)