As we work our way toward the end of another year, the traditional surge in sparkling wine sales has begun. This time of year the sale of any and all wines with bubbles exponentially increases with each passing day leading up to New Year’s day. As I spend more time in the stores and have much more interaction with our guests I see that not much has changed when you are approached and asked where is your “Champagne” section? This usually leads to a game of 20 questions to try to figure out if they are asking for true French Champagne or one of the many sparkling wines produced throughout the world. The word Champagne has become synonymous with any wine that contains bubbles much as all tissues are called Kleenex and pain tablets Aspirin. So, narrowing down just exactly which sparkler they prefer can sometimes take some tact and patience. I usually use brand names to help figure out what they are hoping to find. By asking if they are looking for Haton, Moet, Clicquot or maybe something from Korbel , Cooks or Martini & Rossi it helps to avoid any possible embarrassing moment or I would rather direct them to the lesser priced sparkling section and have them either say thank you or I was hoping for a fine French Champagne. Better to have them shop-up than to look a little embarrassed to ask for the Andre instead of the Bollinger. I have heard an employee, when asked where the Champagne section is located, ask the guest “do you want the good, French Champagne section or the cheaper California kind”. Helpful yes…tactful no.

  This a really good opportunity to introduce people to some of the terrific sparkling wines from around the world. Something on the drier side like a Cava from Spain, one of the delicious sparklers from Italy such as the Extra-Dry Prosecco from Collalto, a beautifully balanced sparkling wine from the Limoux region of France along with all of the choices we have here in California i.e. Gloria Ferrer, Scharffenberger, Schramsberg and the reliable Korbel.

  For you who like your bubbles a little on the sweet side you can try a Moscato d’Asti  from Northern Italy like the ones from Ca D’Gal or Umberto. These wines are Frizzante which is the Italian way of saying effervescent. Italy also makes a Brachetto d’Acqui that is a fizzy red wine with flavors of raspberry, strawberries and other red fruits. Anyway you like it, dry or sweet, this is the traditional season, ‘though anytime is a good time for giving and drinking bubbly wines. So, go visit your local Wine Guru and have him show you around the “Champagne” section.

 --Ken Amendola, Wine Supervisor, North Florida