Ever feel confused and overwhelmed with all the options? Sometimes I feel like I need to be a sommelier to know what to drink. While I am far from knowledgeable in this complex field, I take comfort in a statement I once heard while taking a wine tour in Chile. The best wine is the one you like. I think it’s worth repeating. The best wine is the one you like. It’s not the most expensive. My favorite brands are shown above and their prices vary. For a non-alcoholic sparking drink, Martinelli’s Sparking Apple Cider is delicious!
My parents didn’t drink much (at all) so growing up I thought champagne was different from sparking wine and different from prosecco. Little did I know they were all the same. There are books on the subject, but I don’t need a degree to buy some. I ask a lot of questions when I go to the liquor store and I seek their advice, buy their recommendations and I write down the ones I truly enjoy! I also recommend attending events at restaurants and liquor stores such as Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse Tastemaker Dinners. I’ve attended two and learned so much about pairing wines with food.
Keep in mind:
Champagne is French sparking wine, exclusively from the region of Champagne. It is illegal to bottle and sell as champagne sparking wine produced any other place. Since the 17th century, champagne has been associated with the noble class and the most prestigious producers are located in the cities of Reims and Épernay.
Sparking Wine is produced in many countries including the US and Australia. European sparking wines such as Espumante from Portugal, Cava from Spain and Prosecco from Italy are very popular here in the states.
Cheers!
