This year we decided to schedule our Champagne and Sparkling Wine blind tasting well before the holidays. We wanted you to have the reviews and recommendations well in advance of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and, of course, New Year's Eve. Our panel tried 18 different sparklers. We recommended 11 of them. We scored 3 of them Very Good+ and the remaining 8 as Very Good. Best of all, several of our recommendations are quite affordable””terrific news during these challenging economic times!
Our sparkling wine winner came from Gloria Ferrer. As a matter of fact, the Gloria Ferrer portfolio rocked! All three submissions were recommended. The first place winner was the Gloria Ferrer non vintage “Blanc de Noirs” $20. The panel scored this wine 90 points. This Rosé sparkler is balanced, quite bubbly, clean, and creamy with very tasty cherry and ripe strawberry flavors with hints of smoky toast. Here's the best news, the panel pegged this wine to cost between $25 and $60. 
Since it only costs $20, you might consider buying a few bottles for your holiday parties or to toast the New Year! It's a great value. Don't forget to save a bottle for Valentine's Day. This pink sparkling wine is perfect for Valentine's Day!
Our second place wine also came from Gloria Ferrer. The Gloria Ferrer non vintage “Sonoma Brut” $20 was also a panel favorite and a good deal. The panel also scored this wine 90 points. This option is pale yellow in color with very fine bubbles. The panel said they would pair this wine with scallops or swordfish. Most of the panelists said they would pay $25 to $40 for this very impressive value sparkler. It's always great when a wine tastes more expensive than it costs!
Our third place wine is a classic from Champagne. This is the second year in a row that we have recommended the Charles Heidsieck “Brut Réserve” Champagne $55. This wine scored 89.95 points so we gave it the 90 point nod of Very Good+. Especially, since I scored it 92 points. It offers fine bubbles and opens with an aromatic citrus like bouquet. It is terrifically balanced and is very tasty with apple-like flavors and a touch of minerality. The panel would pair this elegant Champagne with broiled scallops.Â
Our fourth place wine is also from the Heidsieck family. The Piper Heidsieck non vintage “Brut” Champagne for $42 scored 88.64 points or Very Good. This Champagne from Piper Heidsieck seems to be very popular every year. We found it to be balanced, with nicely integrated acidity, and it displays very tasty citrus flavors with slight hints of butter. The panel would pair this Champagne with broiled scallops or fettuccini Alfredo.Â
Our fifth placed finisher also came from Champagne. The 1999 Nicolas Feuillatte vintage “Blanc de Blanc Brut” Champagne $46 had very fine bubbles and opens with an attractive apple-like bouquet. The panel scored this wine 88.57 points, Very Good. The panel thought this Champagne would pair perfectly with appetizers. They suggested pairing it with spring rolls and crab English muffins.
Our sixth place sparkler is from the Finger Lakes in upstate New York. We think that Hermann Weimer makes some of the best Sparkling Wine from that region. The 2002 Hermann J. Wiemer “Blanc de Blanc” $30 finished in sixth place and scored 88.14 points from the panel. The 2003 Hermann J. Wiemer “Blanc de Noir” $25 finished in seventh place with a score of 88. This Very Good sparkler made of mostly Pinot Noir is smooth and elegant, with light lemon like flavors with a hint of melon. These two options are a terrific representation of the quality of the sparkling wine that can be found in the Finger Lakes.
Listed below are the remainder of our recommended Champagne and Sparkling Wines
8)Â Domaine Ste. Michelle 2001 “Luxe” (Columbia Valley, WA) $23 (87.86)
9) Gloria Ferrer 2001 “Royal Cuvée Brut” (Carneros, CA) $32 (87.83)
10) Domaine Ste. Michelle NV “Blanc de Blancs” (Columbia Valley, WA) $12 (87.5)
11) Piper Heidsieck NV “Rosé Sauvage Brut” (Champagne, France) $50 (87.33)
In conclusion, there are quite a few terrific sparklers for you to choose from. Readers can enjoy options from France, California, Washington, and even the Finger Lakes. All of these options will make your holiday season quite joyful!Â
Cheers,
Ken