Sparkling Wines for Every Budget
Bohigas, Cava Brut Reserva – NV $15.99
Cava has become a broad, varied category, and much depends on the producer. Bohigas has been family-owned since the 13th century. They carefully grow and vinify the traditional grapes of Cava (Xarel-lo, Macabeo and Parellada). This wine has vibrant aromas of Honeycrisp apples and lemon blossom and a brilliant streak of acidity on the palate. With its fine mousse, you could easily mistake this for a Blanc de Blancs Champagne….. and then smile when you look at the price! – Doug Yacka, Operations Manager
Glera Frizzante, Bisson – 2022 $18.96
The producer, Pierluigi Lugano, while following the rules in order to have his wine classified as DOCG, decided to put a crown cap instead of a traditional sparkling mushroom shaped cork cap. That’s why you don’t see the name “Prosecco” on the label. This vino frizzante is fresh, bone dry with clean flavors of white flowers, green apples, pears, and nectarines. Delicious alone or paired with smoked trout. – Andrea Fraccari, Astor Wines & Spirits Consultant
Crémant de Loire, Prince Alexandre – NV $21.96
Crémant wines that have a base of Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay are in my humble opinion, some of the most delicious. This one alludes to all the best parts of Chenin and Chardonnay: great crisp acidity, ripe yellow apples, lemon juice and a touch of rich honey… Elegance without the price tag! – Hannah Weiss, Astor Wines & Spirits Consultant
Crémant de Bourgogne “Extra Brut”, Clotilde Davenne – NV $26.99
Clotilde Davenne’s Cremant is perfect to start off any type of gathering. It’s lean, lithe, and full of crisp energy. You’ll love the scents of green apple, white flowers, and brioche. The palate is creamy, loaded with minerals, and tinged with lemon-lime citrus, and green apples. This is Astor’s third staff pick given to Ms Davenne. Give this bottle a whirl and find out why we think she’s so great. – Chung Park, Astor Wines & Sales Consultant
Delouvin-Nowack “Carte Noire”, Brut – NV $36.96
It’s the season for bubbly! As you look around our shelves you will see easily the largest Champagne selection worth its salt in NYC and decision fatigue slowly sets in. Make it easy and take home this excellent value. Made from 100% Pinot Meunier and aged for an extremely long 4 years on the lees, this wine is all about texture and richness. Think notes of apricot, cream, and brioche. – Archie Archuleta, Astor Wines & Spirits Consultant
Christian Etienne Brut – 2012 $57.96
I almost didn’t want to write a staff pick on this wine. I wanted it to remain my hidden treasure. Unfortunately, this wine is too good to hoard just to myself. Delicious vintage Champagne under $100 with 10 years of age on it does indeed seem too good to be true, however, this wine delivers with every drop. This brings everything you want from Champagne: toasty brioche, aggressive aromatics, and yet a really soft finish. – Archie Archuleta, Astor Wines & Spirits Consultant
Gusbourne, Blanc de Blancs Traditional Method – 2018 $74.99
If ever you were in doubt about the potential of southeast England to produce sparklers to rival Champagne, look no further than this bottle from Gusbourne. This blanc de blanc is outstanding: creamy and elegant, yet bright and minerally. Extended lees aging gives it an added complexity. Crack open a dozen oysters and sip this while binge-watching The Crown. – Amy Miller, Sales Manager
Apollonis “Monodie” Meunier Vieilles Vignes, Extra Brut, Loriot – 2013 $89.96
Michel Loriot, owner of the Apollonis estate in Festigny, has always been a music lover. This love stems from three previous family generations, all of whom played in the village band. Unfortunately Loriot never learned to play an instrument, but his wines serve as metaphors for the unwritten symphonies in his head. So great is his appreciation for music that he plays music to his vines as they grow. Dried and baked apples abound with a note of pie crust to complement the fruit. A great core of acidity will provide many more years of life to this wine. – Bambi Ray, Sales Manager
Liébart-Régnier “Horti” Blanc de Blancs, Extra Brut – NV $99.96
Champagne geeks unite! This may look like an innocent blanc de blanc, but you won’t find a drop of Chardonnay. Instead the wonderfully charming Liebart-Regnier family decided to turn to Champagne’s lesser known white grapes: Arbanne, Petit Meslier and Pinot Blanc. Each variety brings its own unique qualities that seamlessly meld into one delicious sip that is unlike any other Champagne you’ve had before. It’s slightly oxidative and saline, reminiscent of sous voile wines from the Jura, but you’ll also find notes of soy, baking spices, roasted almonds, and wet stone. Intriguing though it may be, however, it’s no mere intellectual exercise. This is a wine with brains and beauty. – Amy Miller, Sales Manager
Vilmart “Émotion”, Rosé Brut – 2014 $189.96
Speaking to the hedonistic pleasure I get from drinking Vilmart & Cie Champagnes certainly gets me emotional. A vintage rosé sparkler with crisp intensity that walks the line of beauty, precision, and power. This dense sparkler absolutely demands to be put on the table, with a mousse that feels like pins and needles pressing on the palate. Flavors of strawberry shortcake, tangerine, mint, crème fraîche, and pastry dough, this really encapsulates the sort of cuvée meant for drinkers who want a complex, engaging experience. Vilmart is truly exceptional. – Jose Banegas, Astor Wines & Spirits Consultant