Sparkling Wines for New Year’s Eve
Savia Viva, Cava Brut – NV $16.96
When I am in need of a delicious yet value driven sparkling wine, my go-to bottle for a variety of reasons is the Savia Viva Cava. Not only is it made like Champagne, with a delicate toastiness coming from the extended aging with the yeast, but there is a brightness and texture to this wine that is difficult to beat at its price. It is the perfect compliment for mimosas and to serve as your house sparkling for parties and receptions. The farming is fully organic, which is another star on the checklist, and their talented two women winemaking team (Maria Elena Jiménez and Marta Casas) have been at the helm for over two decades. Overall, this bottle is one of the most personable bubblies here at Astor and you can absolutely taste the care that went into its creation! – Alex Malecki, Sales Manager
Juve y Camps Brut Nature, Reserva de la Familia – 2017 $21.96
This classic cava is made from free run juice and is a gran reserva meaning it has spent extended time aging. Even after three years sur lie it still retains strong fruit and floral aromas while being bone dry. This is excellent on its own or as a base for your favorite sparkling cocktails. It’s at its best with a bitter liqueur spike like Aperol to really show off a perfectly balanced cocktail of bitter and fruity flavors. Excellent paired with hard cheeses and your favorite tapas – Crystal Lemieux, Astor Wines & Spirits Consultant
Vouvray Brut, Pinon – 2022 $32.99
If you make a bubbly with Chenin or Riesling, you will always have my attention. Especially if the wine comes from a legendary producer like Francois and Julien Pinon. The family has been growing vines and making wine in Vouvray for centuries. Their vineyard is certified organic and their techniques are natural. Their sparkling brut will simply make you happy. It’s bright, mineral rich, and lifted with mouthwatering acidity. You’ll find notes of golden apples, along with hints of vanilla, pine, and cultured cream. A little oak aging gives the wine some roundness. There is also a note of savoriness. Open when serving sushi. – Chung Park, Astor Wines & Spirits Consultant
Laurent-Perrier Brut Cuvée, Rosé – NV $91.96
For some people, the holidays are a time to eat rich food and partake in dark spirits (the liquid kind). If it were up to me, though, I’d opt to drink Laurent-Perrier Brut Rose NV all season. This textured and dry rose champagne, made with 100% Pinot Noir grapes harvested from 10 different Premier Cru plots from the area around Montagne de Reims, is as good as it gets. The esteemed house uses a proprietary maceration technique, perfected over the course of 50 years, to extract an incredible salmon hue before aging the wine for four years in bottle (vs 3 years for Billecart Salmon and 2 years for Ruinart Rose). The result is a champagne with intense aromas of strawberries, Morello cherries, black currants, and raspberries, and a rich, yet balanced palate with enough acidity to hold up to any holiday fare. Joyeuses fêtes! – Andrew Linderman, Astor Wines & Spirits Consultant
Billecart-Salmon “Nicolas François” Brut – 2012 $231.99
In the world of wine, champagne is the equivalent of pizza: delicious on its own, versatile as part of a bigger meal, and universally beloved by people from all walks of life. So if you’re looking for the gastronomic equivalent of a Michelin level pie, then look no further than Billecart-Salmon’s “Nicolas François” Brut – 2012. The 2012 vintage, released in 2023 and now considered one of the best of the last decade, is made from a blend of Grand & Premier Cru fruit (60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay) fermented at low temperatures, rested for 120 months (!) on the lees, and partially aged in oak barrels. The result is perfection: aromas of stone fruits, apple, pear, and citrus, give way to a palate that’s full-bodied yet somehow crisp and elegant. Pair with anything from frozen pizza (I told you!) to Beluga caviar for culinary bliss. – Andrew Linderman, Astor Wines & Spirits Consultant
Bollinger, R.D. Extra Brut – 2008 $414.99
The year 2008 was tough for both the world and the fields of Champagne. At the end of harvest, however, a miracle happened in the form of warmth and sun and, to everyone’s surprise, the rough start produced one of the best vintages of the last century, alongside 1961, 1989, and 1996. Seventeen years on, it’s now possible to taste this slice of history in the form of R.D. Extra Brut – 2008. R.D, which stands for “recently disgorged,” was released to the market last year and immediately wowed critics. The wine is textbook Bollinger – barrel fermented Blancs de Noirs, low dosage, and made from a 18 crus across the region. Time has turned something great into the stuff of legends: aromas of marzipan, apricots, and honey give way to a palate that’s laser focused, but rich with notes of hazelnut, toffee, and plum. Pressure makes diamonds. – Andrew Linderman, Astor Wines & Spirits Consultant