Northshore magazine showcases the best that the North Shore of Boston, MA has to offer.
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69 DECEMBER 2019 There's nothing like a bit of bubbly to give an occasion a festive touch, whether it's a holiday cocktail party or an intimate New Year's Eve dinner. And there are oodles of terrific options out there from which to choose. Beyond champagne, you'll find fabulous fizzes from Italy and even New Mexico. Here are some top picks with suggested retail prices. First, a quick primer. There's a reason why champagne commands high prices. The grapes used to make it (usually a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier) grow in unique chalky soil found only in the region of Champagne, which isn't that big. Thus, the makers are limited. Also, champagne is handcrafted and gets its bubbles from the secondary fermentation in the bottle (versus tanks), which is a costly, time-consuming process. Vintage champagne costs even more, because the bottle contains only grapes from an outstanding year, whereas nonvintage champagne contains grapes from a variety of years. However, you can find many great sparkling wines for less money that have been made using a process just like Champagne called méthode Champenoise or méthode classico. The obvious difference is that the grapes are grown outside of the Champagne region. Less expensive bubbly, such as prosecco, is made using the Charmat method, meaning the secondary fermentation occurs in pressurized tanks, not in the bottle. Finally, really cheap sparklers can be made by injecting carbon dioxide into still wine before bottling, creating big, burpy bubbles, just like in soda pop. SPLURGE SIPPERS: CHAMPAGNE Benoît Lahaye Blanc de Noirs 2014 "I'm in love with Benoît Lahaye because he practices all- natural farming, is certified biodynamic, and makes his wines with such integrity, like this Blanc de Noirs vintage 2014," says Samanta Ettore, Owner of wine-sense in Andover. "It's 100 percent Pinot Noir and is probably one of the most elegant champagnes I carry. It has beautiful pearlage (teeny bubbles), a soft gold color (no red grape skin contact), and a soft nuttiness and fresh brilliance that is very balanced and satisfying." $85 Billecart-Salmon Brut Rosé Packaged in a luxuriously heavy bottle with a striking salmon-pink label, this supremely elegant, rich, romantic sparkler contains the traditional blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier grapes. In the glass it has a lustrous golden-pink hue and fills the mouth with a lush strawberry, citrus, roasted almond, and biscuit essence. $89.99 Françoise Bedel L'Âme de la Terre 2005 "This is a 'Wow!' bottle," says Jeremy Kirkpatrick, owner (with his wife, Angela) of Grand Trunk Wine & Cheese in Newburyport. "It's a grower champagne (meaning the Create your own winter wonderland this holiday season, we can help! Christmas Trees and Stands • Twinkle Lights and Ornaments Fresh Greens, Wreaths, and Garlands Custom Centerpieces • Artificial Trees and Arrangements Kissing Balls • Poinsettias • Unique Gifts and Plenty of Holiday Cheer! www.wolfhillgardencenter.com 60 Turnpike Road, Ipswich • 978-356-6342 104 Eastern Avenue, Gloucester • 978-281-4480 88 Elm Street, Salisbury • 978-465-3542 Family owned & operated for over 40 years!