How to Pick a Sparkling Wine or Champagne for a New Year's Party
Sparkling wine, usually in the form of champagne, is expected for any party ringing in the New Year. Its effervescence, uniqueness among wines, and the fact that it is easily enjoyable have long made it expected for celebrations. Made in France from the region of the same name, champagne is both the original sparkling wine and its pinnacle in terms of reputation, quality and price. More affordable versions are made throughout the wine-producing world, but most significantly in Spain, Italy and the United States. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Understand the purpose of the wine. For example, will you be drinking it as part of a New Year's Eve party? Is it supposed to be a gift for the hosts of the party? Will it be used for mimosas or a champagne punch during a daytime party on New Year's Day, when a fair number of guests might be feeling the effects of the previous night's revelry? For yourself or as gift you might desire quality or prestige. When mixing with orange juice for mimosas or used in a punch, cheap sparklers work nearly as well as expensive versions, since juice masks much of the flavor of the wine.
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Understand the styles of sparkling wine. This refers to the varying degrees of residual sugar, or sweetness, of which there are several classifications. The most common by far is brut, which is dry. This and extra dry are the two styles most people expect for sparkling wine, and typically what you will want to purchase.
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Understand the different regional options. There is champagne from the Champagne region of France, regarded as the best. American sparkling wines -- many made by the French champagne houses -- are usually made in the champagne-style, but cost much less than the original versions. Cava is well-made, widely available Spanish sparkling wine. Less easy to find is the excellent Italian version of champagne, Franciacorta. Another Italian product, Prosecco, is made in a bulk method, allowing for lower prices. Drier and less complex than champagne-style sparklers, these are readily enjoyable for most wine drinkers, and have become a staple in Italian restaurants. Sweeter Asti Spumante is probably the most famous Italian sparkling wine.
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Determine how much you want to spend. Sparkling wines range from several dollars to several hundred dollars for the standard size bottle. Champagne is generally priced between $35 and $80, though you can spend much more. American sparkling wines range from $15 to $30 for respected labels. Cava typically costs between $8 and $25. Franciacorta usually runs from $40 to $60. Prosecco is generally between $12 and $25, as is Asti Spumante.
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Visit a retailer to complete the purchase. Stores dedicated to wine and large liquor stores will likely have an ample selection for any type of sparkling wine desired plus a knowledgeable staff to answer questions. In many states, supermarkets sell wines. In these you will find a more limited choice, and probably not any assistance.
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- Photo Credit champage image by araraadt from Fotolia.com
