More sparkling wine is consumed during the holidays than at any other time of year, and some sparkling wines are an attractive alternative to Champagne because of their quality and affordable price.
Make Christmas extra special with Gayot’s Top 10 Sparkling Wine Choices
André Gayot is a restaurant critic from France, who along with his friends, coined and promoted the term “Nouvelle Cuisine” in the early 1970s.
GAYOT.com suggests these Top 10 Sparkling Wines featuring the best of each style. On this exclusive list you’ll find the favorite cava of the royal family of Spain and organic Sekt from a German estate that’s been in business since 1785.
Gayot’s Top 10 Sparkling Wines Choices
#1 on Gayot’s Top 10 Sparkling Wines is Fitz-Ritter Riesling Extra Trocken Sekt NV from Pfalz, Germany
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1) Fitz-Ritter Riesling Extra Trocken Sekt NV
Pfalz, Germany
The Fitz-Ritter family has been making wine since 1785. In 1843, they became the official suppliers for the royal Bavarian court. The German estate belongs to the Verband Deutscher Prädikats, whose members are devoted to sustainable, organic practices. This extra dry, elegant Sekt offers a nice, fruity Riesling profile.
Rating: 14/20
Price: $20
#2 on Gayot’s Top 10 Sparkling Wines is Freixenet 2008 Brut Vintage Reserva from Catalonia, Spain
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2) Freixenet 2008 Brut Vintage Reserva
Catalonia, Spain
This Vintage Reserva is Freixenet’s top-of-the-line cuvée. Made according to the Méthode Champenoise, it is composed of Macabeo and Parellada grapes. People who like their cava super dry will appreciate this reserve offering from the popular Spanish brand, which has been making vino for more than 100 years.
Rating: 13.5/20
Price: $14
#3 on Gayot’s Top 10 Sparkling Wines is Juvé y Camps 2007 Reserva de la Familia from Catalonia, Spain
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3) Juvé y Camps 2007 Reserva de la Familia
Catalonia, Spain
How does the royal family of Spain toast a special occasion? With Juvé y Camps cava! This flagship offering from the Juvé y Camps family in Catalonia, Spain (which has been making wine since 1796) is rich and versatile. Composed of 40 percent Xarel-lo, 30 percent Macabeo, 20 percent Parellada and 10 percent Chardonnay, their 2007 Reserva de la Familia is a great match for traditional Spanish dishes as well as creamy pâté.
Rating: 14/20
Price: $16
#4 on Gayot’s Top 10 Sparkling Wines is Le Grand Courtâge Brut Rosé from France
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4) Le Grand Courtâge Brut Rosé
France
Le Grand Courtâge means “great courtship.” This love affair between an American bon vivant and the vineyards of Burgundy, France, is flirty and smooth, with fine bubbles. Featuring Chardonnay, Ugni Blanc and Gamay, the vibrant, versatile rosé pairs with a variety of foods, from roast chicken to wild game to pizza.
Rating: 13.5/20
Price: $25
#5 on Gayot’s Top 10 Sparkling Wines is Luc Belaire Rosé from Provence, France
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5) Luc Belaire Rosé
Provence, France
Produced according to the Charmat method and aged in steel tanks for six months, this French rosé is a blend of 90 percent Syrah, 5 percent Grenache and 5 percent Cinsault. A 100 percent dosage of Syrah outfitted it with a deep pink hue. It’s an easy-drinking, fruit-forward and elegant wine from the south of France.
Rating: 13.5/20
Price: $35
#6 on Gayot’s Top 10 Sparkling Wines is Maipe Sparkling Brut from Mendoza, Argentina
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6) Maipe Sparkling Brut
Mendoza, Argentina
A fine wine from Argentina, the Maipe Sparkling Brut is fragrant and sweet with bright tropical fruit flavors. Featuring 50 percent Pinot Noir from the Calle de Uco and 50 percent Chardonnay from Lujan de Cuyo (both in Mendoza), it was made via the Charmat method with no lees contact. Enjoy it by itself or pair it with your favorite foods, from pasta to grilled fish to steak.
Rating: 13/20
Price: $19
#7 on Gayot’s Top 10 Sparkling Wines is Ruffino Prosecco from Veneto, Italy
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7) Ruffino Prosecco
Veneto, Italy
We love a nice Prosecco before a meal but this one also makes a great foil for pizza and sushi. Its grapes hail from Valdobbiadene, one of the Veneto region’s top areas for making Prosecco. On the nose, this non-vintage sparkler offers fruit such as pears and apples. On the palate you get delicate bubbles and lingering fruit.
Rating: 13/20
Price: $15
#8 on Gayot’s Top 10 Sparkling Wines is Voveti Prosecco from Veneto, Italy
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8) Voveti Prosecco
Veneto, Italy
Voveti is the marriage of two winemaking families, the Ferrer family of Barcelona and the Collavini family from the Colli Orientali region of Italy. This creamy prosecco features aromas of honeysuckle and notes of green apple, melon and ripe peach on the palate. It pairs well with antipasti, curry or roasted chicken.
#9 on Gayot’s Top 10 Sparkling Wines is Wolfberger Crémant D’Alsace Brut from Alsace, France
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9) Wolfberger Crémant D’Alsace Brut
Alsace, France
This crisp, effervescent sparkler offers floral aromas with notes of peach and apricot. Composed of 90 percent Pinot Blanc and 10 percent Pinot Auxerrois, it features fine bubbles and finishes cleanly. Match it with anything from appetizers to holiday dinners.
Rating: 14/20
Price: $22
#10 on Gayot’s Top 10 Sparkling Wines is Zonin Prosecco from Veneto, Italy
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10) Zonin Prosecco
Veneto, Italy
This crisp prosecco features a floral, fruity nose and almond on the palate, imparted by the 100 percent Glera grapes it was made from. Sip it before dinner or pair it with delicate flavors. The light golden sparkler was crafted using the Charmat method.
Rating: 14/20
Price: $15
Inquisitive foodie with a professional investigative background and strong belief in the organic farm to table movement. Author of Bad Seeds: A FriendsEAT Guide to GMO's.
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