Raise
a Glass!
THERE’S NO BETTER WAY TO MARK A SPECIAL EVENT THAN WITH A GLASS OF BUBBLY. Jessica Roberts
R
AISE A GLASS FOR A TOAST AT your favorite fundraiser, arts event, charitable get-together and other gatherings. What better way to celebrate than with a glass of festive bubbles? Yet with so many options to choose from, it may seem a bit intimidating to find the perfect bottle for that special occasion. Here’s a little guidance to help you choose something truly memorable to fit the moment and your taste. CHOSE CHAMPAGNE Of course, Champagne is the main player in the world of sparkling wine. What really sets it apart from the rest is the quality and care put into making each bottle. The traditional method for making this bubbly—Méthode Champenoise—is the comprehensive technique in which the magic is done entirely in the bottle—the fermentation, aging, riddling and disgorging. All Champagne—which technically must be produced in the Champagne region of France—is required to age for a minimum of 15 months before it’s released, and it must be made with either chardonnay, pinot noir or pinot meunier grapes. The result is a phenomenal blend of yeasty flavor and soft aroma, creating the perfect bottle of bubbles that has set a high standard for centuries. For an entry-level Champagne, try G. H. Mumm Grand Cordon Champagne,
at $45. With almost 150 years under their
66
County Lines | March 2022 | CountyLinesMagazine.com
belt, this Reims-based company has perfected the art of quality for a fair price. If you’re ready to up your game, choose a bottle of Ruinart Blanc de Blancs Champagne or Billecart-Salmon Champagne Brut Réserve, both non-vintage and priced at $70 and $65, respectively. These labels are ranked highly and will give you all the elegance of a true Champagne to toast the occasion. CAN’T GO WRONG WITH CAVA While traditional Champagne may hold the top spot in the eyes of many, modern sippers have discovered the charms of one of its biggest rivals—cava. This sparkler hails from Spain’s Penedes region, south of Barcelona, and is an excellent and cost-effective alternative to classic French Champagne. The native macabeu grape is primarily used to make cava, but you may also see xarel-lo and paralleda blended in, as well as the occasional addition of chardonnay and pinot noir grapes. What makes cava an admirable substitute bubbly is that producers use the traditional Champagne method to make these wines. The aging requirements, grapes used and a few other rules are less strict for cava, but a similar style is nevertheless the end product. A personal favorite is the Segura Viudas Cava Brut Reserva Heredad Non Vintage
($30). Not only is the bottle absolutely stunning, the bubbles themselves are some of the best from Spain. For a lovely every-
