By: The Food Hunter
Here at Food Hunter's Guide we receive product or compensation for
posts featuring products. As always, all opinions are 100% our own.
It's February and I can already feel the love in the air! What better way to wash down the romance than with a bottle of bubbly. Whether you're looking for the perfect gift, or just want to treat yourself to something special, I’ve got you covered with this selection of fizzes. I've included everything from supermarket standards to top tier expression. No matter which you choose - they are all guaranteed to make any day extra special.
However if you want to el\evate
your bubbly take it one step further by serving it in a glass that will ensure each of your guests have the best
tasting experience. The RIEDEL Veloce Champagne Glass has a diamond shape that allows the wide range of aromatics to unfold, and the extreme angles offer more space to develop aromas.
Unlike a
flute, this wider bowl allows the champagne’s complex layers to grow and
intensify, and the larger rim diameter enables them to be released in a
way that is not achieved with a narrow glass. This glass is perfect for enjoying everything from Champagne, Sparkling Wine, Cava, Franciacorta, Sekt, Blanc de Blancs, and Prosecco.
On to the Bubbles:
Biasiotto Prosecco Spumante Millesimato Brut ($25)
The
natural fermentation of the Glera grape is what creates this elegant Prosecco. It has intense aromas, with both floral nuances along with
essences of apple,
banana, and peach. Enjoy it with delicate meals like vegetable based
courses or mildly spiced mussels. It pairs particularly well with appetizers making it a
fantastic aperitif option.
Cherubini, Sui Generis, Brut Nature ($63)
A
white sparkling wine made from Chardonnay grapes grown in Lombardy,
Italy. The taste is elegant with hints of honey and candied fruit. Best
served alone or alongside fish for a magnificent dinner.
Laurent-Perrier La Cuvee Brut ($60)
A champagne of great finesse and beautiful freshness-made from over 50% Chardonnay grapes and aged approximately 4 years. The result is a perfect balance between freshness and delicacy with fruit flavors on the finish. An ideal accompaniment to the infamous chicken Marbella and the finest fish.
Banshee Ten of Cups Sparkling Brut ($20)
A vibrant and bright bubbly made from a composition of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir & Pinot Meunier grapes. The wine is
persistent on the palate and creamy on the finish. Notes of tropical fruit, green apple and citrus round
out this beautiful, balanced sparkling wine.
Lucien Albrecht Rose ($23)
This flagship sparkling wine is made
exclusively from Pinot Noir grapes. Exhibiting a nose of red fruit aromas, it has fine and light bubbles and a very
pleasant roundness on the palate.
Laurent-Perrier Blanc de Blancs ($99)
Made of 100% Chardonnay grapes the Blan de Blancs has a pale gold straw color. On the palate it is balanced and sustained with a finish that is fresh with notes of lemon. The Blanc de Blancs is made for fine cuisine and can be paired with
Veal Saltimbocca as well as the finest fish dishes such as seabass in salt crust or grilled squid marinated with lemon and olive oil.
Bodega Norton -101 Bubbles ($15)
An easy
to drink sparkling wine crafted with 101 delicate bubbles in each sip. Explore the bubblier side of Argentina with
citrus notes and a freshness on the nose, and a crisp flavors of white fruit. Pairs perfectly with pork shanks, veal dishes and cheese.
J Vineyards Brut Rose ($50)
An
elegant Russian River Valley sparkling wine layered with hints of ripe
raspberries, rose petals and a savory note of slivered almonds. On the
palate is lively acidity and steely minerality frame a crisp, lingering
finish. Pair this sparkling rosé with tuna tartare or camembert
cheese.
Veuve Clicquot Non-vintage Rose ($60)
This
cuvée is composed of 50% Pinot Noir, 30 % Chardonnay, 20 % Meunier,
completed with Pinot Noir red wine. Full bodied and deliciously fruity,
with intense flavors of juicy ripe strawberries and cherries, Veuve
Clicquot’s Rosé is a burst of red
fruits and the expression of Madame Clicquot’s ingenious and audacious
spirit. It compliments both duck breast and tuna nicely.
Notes of hazelnut, ripe fruit, and white flowers dominate this straw yellow sparkling wine from Lombardy. According to the winemakers, Roberto + Laura Gatti, the wine represents the company, fresh, immediate and sincere. Best served with seafood pasta or zucchini flan.
Cuvee Rose by Laurent-Perrier is one of the world's most recognized rose champagnes acknowledged for its consistent high quality and superb highly expressive bouquet. Made from 100% Pinor Noir grapes that are meticulously sorted and de-stemmed before going into the vats for maceration. A subtle and rounded wine that offers a sensation of plunging into a basket of freshly picked red berries. It's aromatic depth makes it ideal to drink with exotic dishes, beef tartare and fresh fish.
Medici Ermete Lambrusco Reggiano Concerto ($27)
For over a century, the Medici winery has been producing top-of-the-range Lambrusco. This brilliant ruby red dry Lambrusco is both slightly sweet and savory and pairs well with cured meats and cheeses. Serve it as part of your apperitivo hour for a true romantic experience.
Alta Vista Brut Rose ($20)
Made with Malbec and Pinot Noir grapes, Alta Vista’s Brut Rosé presents an attractive pearly pink color. On the palate there is good volume and citrus flavour, giving this wine the perfect combination of sweetness and structure. Ideal to pair with fresh and fruit desserts.
Tattinger Brut La Francaise ($60)
Pale gold in color with fine, persistent bubbles, it has
aromas of peach, white flowers, vanilla pod, and brioche on the nose and
flavors of fresh fruit and honey on the palate. Excellent as an
aperitif or with foods such as white fish.
Martini & Rossi Prosecco ($15)
With
notes of apple and thyme, this crisp sparkling staple is perfect for
to sip as you cuddle by the fire with the one you love. It's both fun and fruity.
Poema Cava Brut ($16)
A true Brut-style Cava, made with indigenous grape varieties. Made
utilizing Metodo Tradicional, the same traditional method used to craft
Champagne. Well balanced with flavors of citrus and juicy red apples this is best served with tapas and light appetizers.
Designated as a Brut level of sweetness. On the nose, this wine is
floral with hints of honeysuckle, peach blossom and jasmine,
accented with fresh coconut and lime zest. On the palate, the lime zest
and peach blossom are joined by sweet vanilla which gives way to the
bright grapefruit on the finish. For serving suggestions think smoked salmon potato bites and caviar blinis.
100% Glera Metodo Classico that goes through a second fermentation in the bottle for 10 months. This sparkling wine combines the grapes fruity delicate characteristics with the body achieved during refermentation. On the palate are nots of peaches and pears intertwined with honey. It pairs well with roasted chicken.
A
juicy and refreshing Prosecco made from 100% Glera grape and boasting
fragrant notes of honeysuckle, green apple, and ripe pear. The name
Avissi comes from the delightful fizzy sound the bubbles make as they
rise in the glass.
A
bright coral color with intense rose gold reflections. On the nose, the
intense fruitiness of mature red fruits and pomegranate balance notes
of sweet vanilla, brown sugar, and mint.
A spontaneous and romantic expression of the brand's style, distinguished by bright fruitiness and a slight hint of pepper
. Pairs wonderfully with beef carpacio or seafood.
Bouvet Cremant De Loire Brut ($30)
A
Loire Valley sparkling wine that is pale gold with a delightful aroma of
apples and pears. One sip and you will be enticed by it's fresh
elegance.
A
sparkling sweet red wine with a distinct violet scent-crafted using the
natural fermentation method this one is special. It pairs equally well
with dessert and smoked gouda pizza.