Always popular, the sparkling wines were big crowd pleasers. While nothing rose to the levels seen at the "Tete de Cuvee" tasting last year, all of these bottles are much more affordable.
As usual, the Champagne demonstrated why, if you have $30 to spend, just buy real Champagne (and the Perrier Jouet is my favorite widely-available choice). But there were some great alternatives here -- the Austrian was a worthy and different option at a similar price. And I still love prosecco when I can't afford a Champagne (many identified bananas on the nose of this one!). And honorable mention for the Bugey Cerdon, fondly dubbed "party juice" -- remember this one when the warm weather returns!
As usual, most of these were purchased at K&L Wines, where I think all are still in stock. Two of the Italian bottles came from Biondivino, a great wine store that specializes in Italian. Thanks to Orion for his help picking and buying these!
- Tessier Cremant de Loire $15.99: well-liked, well-priced French bubbly option from the Loire; had some rich, bread-y heft, but not the toast you get in real Champagne.
- Silvano Follador Prosecco Valdobbiadene Brut $16.99: I love this wine, fresh, big nose (banana!), but dry, even "dusty," on the finish. Great value, not trying to be Champagne, but something else entirely.
- Perrier Jouët Grand Brut $29.99: still my favorite reasonably priced Champagne, this was the consensus favorite of the night. Like coming home -- to a great party!
- 1999 J Wine Company Vintage Brut Sparkling Wine $39.99: excellent California sparkler, very Champagne-like, with toast, complexity, top notch -- but expensive!
- 2003 Raventos i Blanc "Gran Reserva de la Finca" Brut Cava, Spain $37.99: well liked by those who were looking for less fruit, more "industrial" palate. Excellent stuff, but expensive when compared to the Champagne.
- Schloss Gobelsburg Brut Reserve $29.99: here's something special -- an Austrian sparkler comprised predominantly of gruner veltliner grapes, this one had the minerals, slate, tiny hint of petrol. I liked this a great deal, in part because it had a distinct character, not trying to taste like Champagne.
- Majolini Franciacorta Brut ~$35: first of two Italians back-to-back, this region is a relative newcomer to Italian sparkling wine, and clearly trying hard to match the international palate for sparkling wines (i.e., taste like Champagne). Very nice, with good complexity, many of the Champagne qualities, but at the price, Champagne has it beat.
- Orsolani Cuvee Tradizione Caluso Spumante ~$35: this Italian region has a longer history with sparkling wines, and this wine shows a bit more independence from the "wanna taste like Champagne" profile. Good stuff, but again, for the money, go with Champagne.
- 2005 Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs Sparkling Wine $29.99: another excellent, serious California sparkler, but not quite the measure of the Perrier at the same price. But definitely earns its excellent reputation among California offerings.
- Bugey Cerdon, Caveau du Mont July (Méthode Ancéstrale) $15.99: Party juice! A very different kind of French offering, off-dry (by which wine people mean "sweet"), but with good acidity and enough complexity not to be boring. I love this wine on a houseboat in July!
