New Year’s Eve is almost here, so it’s time to find bubbly! Let’s round up the best wines for New Year’s Eve 2015.
First Pour Wine’s Best Wines for New Year’s Eve 2015
Gruet Demi-Sec – With a subtle amount of sweetness, Gruet Demi-Sec is well rounded and has a beautiful mix of unripe peaches, white grape, honeysuckle, and hints of dusty earth. The value for only $12 is quite amazing, and a good surprise conversational piece since it’s from New Mexico. Available at Wine Library
Anna de Codorníu Brut Rosé – A standout surprise of a rosé, Anna de Codorníu Brut Rosé is loaded with fresh strawberries, raspberries, and cherries. Subtle hints of spice keep things interesting, and a nice soft bubble texture makes it even better.
G.H. Mumm Brut Cordon Rouge – The only champagne on the list, G.H. Mumm Brut Cordon Rouge is muscular and elegant. Huge notes of hazelnut prailine are wrapped around vanilla, fresh apples, and toast. The smooth mouthfeel and balance of acidity makes it a wonderful choice for those that truly love sparkling wine. Available at Wine.Com
Segura Viudas Brut Cava – Lots of lemon, green apple, and unripe apricots drive the flavor of Segura Viudas Brut Cava. Minerality and nuttiness adds complexity rounding it out, and making for a great deal of a sparkler. Available at Wine.com
Dibon Cava Brut Reserve – Complex in all the right ways, with an interesting mix of spicy notes, dusty minerality, ground cherries, and apricots, Dibon Cava Brut Reserve is amazingly well done for the money, and provides some interesting character compared to many other bottles in the $10 price range.
Martini & Rossi Asti Spumante – Like liquid sugar, laced with fresh peaches and nectarines, Martini & Rossi Asti Spumante is the perfect choice for those that like it sweet. Available at Wine.Com
Jaume Serra Cristalino Brut Rosé – Somewhat earthy, Jaume Serra Cristalino Brut Rosé has plenty of fresh strawberries and black cherries with a nice amount of body to match. Slightly more earth centric than the Anna de Codorníu, but still very good. Available at Wine.Com
Rondel Brut Cava – Similar to the first time, Rondel Brut Cava delivers great notes of baked caramelized apples, lemon, and hints of pear skin. The flavors are nicely developed, and the moderated body and bubbles balance beautifully with the acidity.
Ca di Alte Prosecco – Pear, lemon, and hints of stone fruit emanate from a mildly bright body to create a more well rounded character in Ca di Alte Prosecco.
Domaine Saint Vincent Brut – Yeasty, nutty, and with lots of unripe stone fruit, Domaine Saint Vincent Brut makes it two for two for New Mexico this year. Hints of terroir, keep things rolling.
Worth A Try
V8+ Prosecco – While it sadly doesn’t contain a full serving of fruits and vegetables, V8+ Prosecco has a good mix of pear and yeastiness with small smooth bubbles. Certainly pleasant, if not over the top.
Mumm Napa Cuvée M – An interesting hue of pinkish orange, Mumm Napa Cuvée M has a good mix of yeasty notes like strawberry donuts while being balanced with bright lemon pith and unripe nectarines. With a little sweetness, if it only could all come together, this one would be in the top wines to try. Available at Wine.Com
Spergolino Bianco Classico Secco 2012 – Based off Sauvignon Blanc, Spergolino Bianco Classico Secco hits plenty of green notes and pulls in some gooseberry, apple, and lemon with a hint of musk. Available at Wine Library
Cupcake Prosecco – Subtle to an amazing point of almost not being there, Cupcake Prosecco is a nice choice for those looking to be completely unoffended. Upshot includes a refreshing amount of acidity and a good smooth texture. Available at Wine.Com
Jaume Serra Cristalino Brut Cava – While Jaume Serra Cristalino Brut Cava has a lot going for it from a pome fruit and lemon pith standpoint, the brightness isn’t in balance. It will do in a pinch, but there are better options in the same price point. Available at Wine.Com
Ballatore Gran Spumante – While it carries pear in spades, Ballatore Gran Spumante doesn’t quite manage to get out of the one dimensional realm it sits in. It’s by no means bad, it just lacks the refine of it’s sweeter competition.
Not worth popping
Trader Joe’s Blanc De Blancs – Lemony, vaguely bready, and very muddled, Trader Joe’s Blanc De Blancs is alright, but not particularly interesting.
Cook’s Extra Dry Champagne – Seriously, select anything else. Cook’s Extra Dry Champagne reminds me of beer. Not good beer. Keystone light… that’s been left out at a college party for too long.
Need a Quick Reminder on How To Open Sparkling Wine?
Can’t Finish Your Champagne?
We’ve all been there, you have an open bottle of bubbly, but for whatever reason, you just can’t get to the end. Sadly, unlike a normal bottle of wine, you can’t just put the cork back in. Or, if you do manage to get it in, there are good odds a loud explosion may occur in your fridge later. Fortunately, this is exactly what champagne stoppers are designed for!
The two options shown, Farberware Champagne Stopper
