7 Stellar Glowing Wines to Pop This Valentine’s Day
This Valentine’s Day, say it with bubbles but remember not all bubbles are Champagne. As you already know real Champagne only comes from the Champagne region of France, but sparkling wines can come from anywhere in the world. We’ve recently had some good sparkling wines from Australia, Chile, and South Africa, but they’re a little hard to locate in the U.S.A., so today we’re concentrating on bubbles that are easy to find for your special celebration. We’ve picked a few from California, Oregon, Spain, and Italy that we know you’re sure to enjoy.
Sparkling wine is a terrific way to start off any meal, either on its own or with caviar, oysters, or even white cheddar cheese popcorn. Citrus, apple, light floral and rising bread yeast flavors also work well with seafood starters such as sauteed shrimp or broiled lobster tails, pasta dishes like fettuccini Alfredo, or fried fare such as buttermilk fried chicken. On a day that’s all about celebrating romance, there’s nothing we recommend more than a well-chilled bottle of bubbles and a special evening with the one you love.
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Iron Horse Vineyards 2020 Year of The Dragon Green Valley of Russian River Valley Sonoma County California
Named for a railroad stop that crossed the property in the 1890s, Iron Horse Vineyards has been making quality California sparkling wines for decades. Audrey and Barry Sterling first laid eyes on the estate’s 300 acres of rolling hills in February 1976 and today the tradition continues under their children Joy and Laurence. Their 2020 Year of The Dragon sparkling wine is named for one of the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac and it’s a perfect gift for other “dragons” born in 1940, 1952, 1964, 1988, and 2000. It has aromas of white citrus blossoms, Granny Smith apple, and tangerine pith that lead to bubbly flavors of creamy orange sorbet, acacia flowers, and bright summer melon.
Buy Now: $75
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Bricoleur Vineyards NV North Coast Brut Windsor California
French speakers know that bricoleur roughly translates to a person that starts a building project with no clear plans and then as the project progresses, they somehow build something beautiful. Or as the label here says, they were “flying by the seat of our pants.” This delicious non-vintage California sparkling wine certainly does not taste like it was made by someone who did not know what they were doing throughout the process. It is a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with just a touch of Pinot Meunier and has aromas of freshly baked bread, apple blossoms, and Bartlett pear. Tasted from magnum, it has persistent bubbles that open to flavors of custard apple, lemon curd, and tropical fruits. Only 247 cases were produced.
Buy Now: $125
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Berlucchi 2012 Sixty-One Franciacorta Brut Nature, Lombardy, Italy
Berlucchi is widely credited as the creator of Franciacorta wines in the year 1961 and the vintage 2012 “61” pays tribute to that date. Today the winery is very involved in sustainability practices and uses experimental technology to control soil impoverishment and adaptation to climate change. This tasty wine is pale straw colored in the glass with a persistent stream of fine bubbles. Aromas of freshly baked bread, lemon blossom, and Granny Smith apple lead to flavors of lemon curd, white peach, and Bartlett pear.
Buy Now: $70
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Ferghettina 2019 Franciacorta Rosé Lombardy, Italy
In 1991 Roberto Gatti celebrated the first harvest of grapes from his own 10 acres of land. Today the family oversees almost 1,000 acres of vineyards located in eleven areas of Franciacorta. His children Laura and Matteo, who both studied winemaking, assist in all aspects of the winery. Their 2019 rosé is pale pink with a steady column of bubbles and has aromas of strawberries and cream, red raspberry, and a touch of finely ground dried sage. It is vivacious and energetic on the palate with flavors of red fruits, Red Delicious apple, and a touch of cherry vanilla in the finish.
Buy Now: $75
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Roederer Estate 2017 L’Ermitage Anderson Valley Mendocino California
Founded in 1982 by Jean-Claude Rouzaud, who at that time was the president of Champagne Louis Roederer, Roederer Estate was one of the first sparkling wine producers in Mendocino County’s Anderson Valley. It is often hailed as one of the most consistent producers of fine California sparkling wines by many of our colleagues. The 2017 vintage is no exception; it is straw colored in the glass with persistent mousse and perlage. Aromas of freshly baked bread, lemon curd, and caramelized pineapple pave the way for flavors of candied apricot, white peach, and Bartlett pear with a zing of zesty brightness in the finish.
Buy Now: $75
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Agusti Torello Mata 2015 Kripta Brut Nature Gran Reserva Cava Spain
Kripta is a hands down favorite of luxury Cava drinkers in Barcelona and it can be found at many nightclubs and discos that offer bottle service. The bottle shape is reminiscent of a Greek amphora, with a pointed bottom that must be stored in an ice bucket and cannot sit flat on the table, so it’s always perfectly chilled. The 2015 is drinking beautifully right now with aromas of vanilla, cream, ripe pears, and toasted hazelnuts. Clean and elegant with persistent bubbles, it has flavors of cinnamon French toast, vanilla ice cream, and lemon curd.
Buy Now: $100
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Analemma Wines 2017 Blanc de Noir Columbia Gorge Oregon
The team at Analemma professes to “foster life through a soulful approach to farming and winemaking.” They certainly practice what they preach, receiving Biodynamic certification from Demeter in 2017. They embrace regenerative farming practices and continue to be a model of sustainable wine growing to winemakers in the state. A white sparkling wine made from black—or more precisely, purple—Pinot Noir grapes, it presents with aromas of dried apricot, white peach, and freshly baked brioche that lead to zesty flavors of lime pith, lemon curd, and caramelized pineapple.
Buy Now: $85
Authors
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Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen
Source: Robb Report
