The holidays are coming, get ready!
Sparkling wine is the generic term for still wines with added carbonation via a second fermentation. In France there is Champagne and Cremant, in Spain Cava, and in Italy Prosecco and Spumante, plus other regional names. There are wineries in California that specialize in sparkling wine and quite a few others that may make one or two. Often those that just "dabble" in bubbles use their own grapes, but the extra steps to make a sparkling wine are done by someone that specializes in this, such as Rack & Riddle in Sonoma County.
The nice thing about California sparkling is the price. Considering
the extra work that goes into making the bubbles, we're lucky to be able
to find so many in the $20 to $50 range.
All sparkling wines aren't white wines. There are rosés and even red wines made into sparkling wines.
The following are wineries in Sonoma, Napa, and Mendocino Counties that specialize in sparkling wine. You'll see that many were started by French or Spanish producers. Some of these wines you'll find in your local wine shop, others you'll want to contact the winery.
Sonoma County sparkling producers
Amista makes a few sparkling wines, plus some white and red still wines. The winery was founded by a couple who made wine in their garage, and the next thing you know they've moved to Sonoma County to run a winery. Their wines are all made in house and their production volume is small, so I don't know that you'd find the wines anywhere but the winery. Prices for currently available sparkling wines are in the $50s.
Started and owned by sisters who managed to find an excellent local sparkling winemaker, Breathless hit the ground running less than ten years ago. All they make are sparkling wines, some of it gets to the retail market. Prices start at a reasonable $29.
José and Gloria went from Barcelona to Sonoma in the 1980s to pioneer New World sparkling wine. They make a few Chardonnay and Pinot Noir still wines, but their specialty is the bubblies. They currently have two dozen sparkling wines available, starting at $30. If you're going to find one in the store it'll probably be one of the less expensive non-vintage wines, the Brut, Blanc de Blancs or Blanc de Noirs. They have a very nice winery to visit if you're in the neighborhood.
Like Ferrer, they make some Chardonnay and Pinot Noir still wines, but they specialize in the sparkling wines and Iron Horse has some good ones. Prices run from the $50s to the $70s; a little pricey but oh so good. Yes, I'm a big fan. The Wedding Cuvee is a great bang-for-the-buck wine.
The winery was purchased by Gallo several years ago. I have not been back since the original owners sold, so I'm not familiar with what they have changed. The thing about being Gallo means you can find them in lots of stores. They make various Chardonnays, Pinot Noirs, and even a Pinot Gris plus quite a few sparkling wines beginning at $40.
The winery is 150 years old and has only been in two families during that time. The winery takes a lot of grief from wine pros/connoisseurs/snobs for their sweet bubbies that sell millions of bottles. The Korbel Brut is pretty much in every store and probably at most weddings. They actually make a dozen different sparkling wines and, yes, they still call it American Champagne, another reason the wine snobs don't like them, although the French have allowed it.
Korbel American Champagne starts at $14 retail; you can often find them for a few bucks less. I like the Natural, it's a dry one that sells for $16 or less, and the Organic Brut for $17, not to be confused with the "regular" Brut found everywhere. Both are bargains for the quality.
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| Domaine Carneros |
Napa County
Owned by a French luxury goods company, Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton, operating six Chandon wineries around the world. They make plenty of still wine, but are known for their sparkling. You can find them starting in the $20s.
Their striking chateau in Carneros is a huge draw for visitors. Founded by the Taittinger Champagne family in the late 1980s, with still and sparkling wines. The sparkling starts in the upper-$30s, with most of them in the $40s.
Founded by the Mumm Champagne brand in the 1970s, their property is the perfect spot to taste their many sparkling wines while sitting outside on a nice day looking over Napa Valley. They make many different wines in several different series. The standard "grocery store" bubbles are very reasonably priced in the $20s. There is the reserve line, the excellent DVX line, and the cool Santana bottling that donates to a Carlos Santana-run charity helping third-world children. I'm a fan of Mumm Napa.
Founded in the late 19th century, then purchased by the Davies family in the 1960s, this winery has a history of being in the forefront, including when President Nixon famously opened relations with China in 1972. Nixon and the Chinese premier toasted the event with a Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs. They make some Pinot Noir and Cabernet, but their focus is sparkling wine. They have a couple in the $20s, but most are above $40 ranging up well over $100. If you're in town, their cave tour and tasting is not to be missed. Many will tell you this is the best sparkling wine house in America. I won't argue.
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| Roederer Estate |
Mendocino County
Founded by Champagne Louis Reoderer on a nearly 600 acre plot of land in Anderson Valley in the early 1980s, at a time when not too many people had even heard of Anderson Valley. They make a number of outstanding sparkling wines. The Roederer Estate Brut usually sells for under $25 and is the best deal in sparkling I've seen. I'm a fan of the L'Ermitage that's only make in vintage years that they consider good enough. It retails at $68, so it's a special occasion wine.
Founded around the same time and nearby to Roederer. John Sdcharffenberger is the chocolate guy, also. If I could come back in another life, I'd like to own a topnotch chocolate company and a sparkling wine producer. The winery was sold to the Roederer folks about 20 years ago. The wines are very reasonably priced, running from the mid $20s to the $40s. I haven't had a Scharffenberger sparkling in a long time, but maybe this holiday season I'll try them again. I mean, the prices are great.
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