Maybe it’s the pop and fizz that comes with it, but sparkling wine is usually reserved for special occasions: weddings, holidays, birthdays, or any event with valet service. But really, who made that rule? With its light and refreshing appeal, there’s no good reason not to crack open a bottle of brut when ordering take-out or whipping up a simple Tuesday supper. Try these new options and food pairings.
Kobrand Caposaldo Sparkling Peach, $13
With intense flavors of freshly picked peaches and hints of honeysuckle and citrus, this Italian sparkling wine is made from grapes grown on the cool hilltops of northern Italy’s Lombardy region.
Pair With: Pastries, sorbets, or serve as an aperitif after dinner.
Find It: Total Wine & More, Norwalk, CT
Banfi Rosa Regale Sparkling Red, $20
Made from grapes in Piedmont, Italy, this sparkling red is a blend of raspberries, strawberries and rose petals with a round, clean and dry finish.
Pair With: Hot, spicy dishes like Indian or Mexican, or chocolate.
Find It: Stew Leonard’s, Danbury and Norwalk, CT
Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs Brut Vintage 2012, $35
Schramsberg has been perfecting sparkling wines since 1965 and this bottle shows they know what they are doing, with notes of orange blossoms, green apple and caramelized grapefruit.
Pair With: Seafood, lemon chicken or Thai curries.
Find It: Old Greenwich Fine Wines, Old Greenwich, CT
Balducci’s Prosecco, $15
Made from Prosecco grapes hailing from the famous Gasparini estate near Venegazzu, Italy, this is a lively, toasty and creamy option with hints of hazelnut and candied fruit.
Pair With: Fresh fruit salad.
Find It: Balducci’s, Greenwich, CT
Wölffer Noblesse Oblige Extra Brut Sparkling Rosé, $40
This 70/30 blend of pinot noir and chardonnay is akin to the highest quality Champagnes with notes of almond and biscuit, and a fruity acidity.
Pair With: Lemon-thyme chicken or lean pork tenderloin.
Find It: Westchester Wine Warehouse, White Plains, NY
Vollereaux Brut Rosé De Saignee, $37
Fruity and full-bodied, this Champagne is an excellent way to start your meal, but the boldness of the fruit can carry this pick all the way to dessert.
Pair With: Barbecue or crème brûlée.
Find It: Citarella, Greenwich, CT, or New York City
Insider Tip: For the highest quality sparkling, look for bottle-fermented wines as opposed to tank-fermented.
