It’s the time of year where we segue from one celebration to the next. So for those of you gearing up for this weekend’s New Year’s Eve, I thought I would use today’s issue of ‘Wine Wednesday’ to provide some tips on champagne and sparkling wine. Hopefully you’ll consider the New Year enough of a special occasion to try something a little more bubbly than what’s usually in your glass!
Here are some Q&As on this topic that we featured around this same time last year. If you read these simple tips, you’ll be ready to venture away from your typical glass of Cabernet.
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What types of champagne are available?
- Non-Vintage Champagne
- Sparkling wine
- Rose
- Brut
- Extra dry
- Vintage
What’s the difference between Champagne and Sparkling Wine?
While many people call all sparkling wine “champagne,” a sparkling wine must come from the Champagne region of France and meet other specifications to earn that designation.
What’s the difference between Brut and Extra Dry?
Sparkling wine is made from three grape varietals: chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier. Brut is the most popular variety and goes very well with food. Extra Dry means it’s sweeter and is usually blanc de blanc, meaning it’s made with Chardonnay grapes.
What is Rose?
The reason most sparkling wines are white is that the grapes and their skins do not make contact in the crushing process. Rose sparkling wines actually take a portion of the wine and mix it with the skins.
What’s the difference between Vintage and Non Vintage?
Most champagne and sparkling wines are non vintage. This simply means that it is made every year. Non vintage wines, Dom Perignon being the most popular, are not made every year. Instead, they are made during years in which the environment is especially ideal. This usually only happens about three or four years out of 10, which is why vintage wines are more expensive.
What are the best pairings with Champagne?
A general assumption, given that sparkling wines are so sweet, is that they pair best with foods like fruit, chocolate and cakes. However, because of the acidity they actually pair much better with salty, savory foods like seafood and most appetizers.
If you’re more of a visual learner, check out this TV segment of Tylor Field, III, Vice President of Wine and Spirits for Morton’s. last yer, he gave FOX News viewers some great information on champagne and cocktails, so I thought I would “recycle” the footage.
If you choose to spend New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day at your preferred Morton’s location, our Sommelier or General Manager would be happy to help you navigate our champagne and sparkling wine selections. If you’re celebrating at home this New Year’s, I hope you have what you need to make an informed decision when you go to your local wine store.
Wherever you’ll be celebrating, please make it a safe and happy New Year!
Cheers!
Sara Fasolino
Beverage Manager/Certified Sommelier and Mixologist
Morton’s The Steakhouse
What’s the most indulgent, decadent bottle of champagne or sparking wine that you’ve opened for a New Year’s Eve celebration? What food did you pair it with? Or was the bubbly so good that it didn’t even matter?