The best thing about Domaine Ste.-Michelle, a gigantic Washington State winery, is its bang for the buck. For about $10 to $12 you get sparkling wine produced the Mèthode Champenoise way. The result is very elegant and, yes, very French in style. Wine Enthusiast says the Brut Classic Cuvee (under $10) is “the richest and finest of this winery's series of value bubblies. This Chardonnay-Pinot Noir blend is delicately scented with raspberry, peach, smoke and yeast, and it's smooth on the palate. So elegant and complex, it's hard to believe it costs so little.” WE heaps similar praise on the Blanc de Noir (under $10): “The best bottle of the lineup, year in and year out. Creamy and complex, it's a pretty, pale copper, with Pinot-scented hints of cherry fruit.”
25 sparkling wines for under $25
Local wine market full of good bubblies
Mother's Day is just around the corner, and I know many moms who'd welcome a bottle of bubbly with that special dinner (or, heck, even brunch). Here are 25 possibilities from the world's major sparkling wine regions, all of them priced under $25.
These choices are completely unprejudiced and wide-ranging. We're not going to get into any Charmant vs. Méthode Champenoise debates here or argue the merits of Champagne over Prosecco, California over Washington, Brut over Rosé (although we did lean a little toward the latter – pink bubbly seems especially appropriate for Mother's Day).
What follows is a list that should please every palate.
All sparklers are non-vintage except where noted. Prices are best available online. You can find most of these labels at major local wine retailers.
Contact the writer: 714-796-7979 or phodgins@ocregister.com
