KenSpearsOnWine

When it comes to the day of romance, one thing gets mentioned first: Champagne or is it Chocolate. Really, it is Champagne. It can be sweet or dry and is produced from a number of grapes and styles from around the world. The bubbles tickle and delight the senses. Champagne might possible be the best food pairing alcoholic beverage on the planet. Just try a dry one with Sushi.

For me, French Champagne is it. I like the sparkle, the small integrated bubbles that are part of the wine. When you have a still wine and inject carbon dioxide into it, the bubbles are not part of the wine and they are huge. They make the texture of the wine all wrong.

So what about Prosecco and Cava. Both are very nice and have their uses. The Italian Prosecco is really gaining in popularity,both for its easy drinking nature, relatively low alcohol and of course it’s very friendly pricing. Zardetto is a good Prosecco producer. By the way, Prosecco is perhaps the perfect early morning wine with a omlette or perhaps shired eggs. (Shired eggs are baked eggs with cream). And it pairs very well with bagels, cream cheese and smoked salmon.

Spanish Cava is the wonderful sparkling wine primarily from the Penedes region of Spain. That is just south of Barcelona. Made with Xarello, Macebo and Chardonnay primarily, these are very good wines  and value priced as well. The Spanish Cavas have a bold mouthfeel and can be very dry. That makes these a good choice for pairing with earthy and especially spicy food. Cavas can get pricy, but not like the sparklers of France.

And do not forget about Sekt, German sparkling wine.

Tips on storage, opening (always away from people) and pouring to come later.

Sparkling wine is made all over France. I just had a Cremant de Limoux. It was amazing. But it was not Champagne. only those wines coming from the Champagne region can be called Champagne. I also had a sparkling Rose from Burgundy. It was made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes and was fantastic. Light, dry and crisp, it was a perfect way to usher in the new year. Again not a Champagne.

When it comes to actual wines from the Champagne region, I prefer Rose Champagnes. Those are the pink ones. They tend to have a bit more flavor than many others. At least for me. Blanc de Noirs, or those sparkling wines made with Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier are also among the tops for me. Many Champagnes, due to their long aging have a biscuity /yeasty taste which I am not fond of. Blanc de Blancs, or Champagnes made from strictly Chardonnay can be very good. One vintner I like is Henriot. They consistently have absolutely incredible bottles. I am also like Krug. But those have become so expensive, I just want to imagine I can still drink them.

The whole idea of Champagne for Valentines is the romantic look and feel of those long tapered glasses, the rising bubbles and longing looks you get from your Valentine. Champagne is probably the most romantic beverage as celebrated in movies and television. But it is also the drink of royalty. And when having a glass or two, you feel rather royal.

A very  long time ago, a friend said that the bubbles went right to her head. She said she loved Champagne and it made her feel free. I like Champagne and it makes me feel happy. Especially when I uncork  it.