I love this time of year. Our stores are full of shoppers looking for help with their wine selection and I am always eager  to help them make a good selection. This is not always easy as many of our holiday guests visit us only once a year and are not really sure what they are looking for.

Last week I had a sweet older Italian woman ask me where the "Italian Champagne" was located. Technically there is no such thing as "Italian Champagne," so I knew this would take a bit of probing to get her what she wanted. After a short question and answer session she was soon on her way with what she came for.

When most people think of Italian wine they generally don't think of sparkling wine...but they should. Italy produces more different kinds of sparkling wines than any other country in the world. In fact, Italy has been crafting sparkling wines since Roman times, long before Dom Perignon was making Champagne in France. From light, off dry Proseccos to the classic Franciacortas, Italian sparking wines are varied, tasty and quite often affordable.

Prosecco

This light sparkler, from the Veneto region in northern Italy has exploded in popularity recently. It is light and refreshing with hints of melons, pears and almonds. Prosecco is made from a grape of the same name and is excellent paired with Florida's seafood.

Asti

Asti (no longer called Asti Spumante) is both the name of a town in the Piedmont region of Northern Italy and the sparkling wine. Asti is light and slightly sweet with a lovely peachy quality, made from 100 percent moscato grapes. It has a high acidity which helps to balance out its sweetness. Asti is ideal paired with Gorgonzola cheese and by itself as an apperitivo.

Moscato D' Asti

Moscato D' Asti, too, is made from Moscato grapes. It has fewer bubbles than its Asti cousin. This wine is light and  crisp and relatively low in alcohol, about five to seven percent. Drink Moscato D' Asti with traditional Italian biscotti.

Bracchetto

Bracchetto is a ruby red sparkling wine made from the Bracchetto grape. The wine is festive and light with hints of strawberry and cherry. It is excellent when paired with fruit and cheese.

Italian sparking wines are generally less expensive than their French and California counterparts. They are perfect for holiday toasting and have a crisp inviting character all their own. So come in and let us help you find that perfect,  "Italian Champagne."

--Paul Quaglini, Wine Supervisor, SE Florida