Best Beverage For Valentine’s Day Equals Bubbles

The Best Beverage for Valentine’s Day equals bubbles, and there are plenty of us who love them! Holidays like Christmas, New Years, and Valentines Day all have love yearnings attached to them. I know I’m so busy the rest of the days in the year, I don’t specifically focus the same way. I adore roses, bubbles in my glass, and our collective hearts on fire. It’s a delicious day.

About Sparkling Wines

Be careful using the word “Champagne,” though. I only know of Korbel Champagne Cellars in California, which was grandfathered in, when the word became indigenous only to the appellation in France.  I’m sure there may be others, but for today, this is enough. Maybe someday I can get deeper into it, but not now. From the winery’s history, “Korbel Champagne Cellars was founded in 1882 by Czech immigrants Francis, Anton, and Joseph Korbel in Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley.”

US wines with the name “Champagne,” stopped being allowed to be used, as of 2002. Only the region of Champagne France can legally name their bubbly wine Champagne. Within France, if the wine is sparkling, it’s called Crémant. And other regions around the globe go by other names, too. For example, Prosecco is from Italy’s Veneto region, Cava’s from Spain, Sekt’s is from Germany and Austria. In the United States, you’ll find sparkling wine from California, Oregon, and beyond, while South Africa offers Cap Classique, and Australia produces its own excellent sparklers.

Two Delicious Sparkling Wines

1. Domaine Carneros, Sonoma County

Domaine Carneros is a true favorite for me. I’ve written about their food and wine pairing program in the past, because it’s an excellent program. If you have a really special love in your life, this would be a very special treat this weekend. If there are no reservations for this weekend, give a gift  certificate for another safe and time. You don’t want to miss this, in fact I always walk away on Cloud 9. It’s all about this outstanding food and wine experience set in a beautiful location and offering inspiration and so much education in the process.

PHOTO CREDIT: Sakhon Nhek

WHO: Founded in 1987, in the Carneros appellation of Northern California by the Champagne Taittinger family, Domaine Carneros is a grower producer of ultra-premium sparkling wines and limited production Pinot Noirs. Domaine Carneros has become the benchmark for California sparkling wine, reflecting both the individuality of the Carneros’ terroir and the craftsmanship of its French legacy.

WHAT:  The Art of Sparkling Wine Pairing: Bubbles & Bites
The popularity of the Bubbles & Bites tasting menu was first launched in 2018, and certainly has been a special experience for visitors who wish to explore the versatility of sparkling wine with different cuisines. To date, the winery has focused on Asian, Mexican, Moroccan and Spanish pairings and now more focused cuisines. There was one I really enjoyed, which was a journey through Southeast Asia. The menus are all really delicious, people seems to linger savoring every bite. It’s more than a treat, because it seems to be a life-long memory, as far as I’m concerned.

The Art of Sparkling Wine Pairing: Bubbles & Bites is just very delicious is every way… Bubbles, food, and romance, it’s just so Valentine’s day. Call them. Domaine Carneros tasting reservations is 800-716-BRUT (2788), extension 150. Reservations are highly recommended!

 

2. Alta Vista Brut, Mendoza Argentina

Alta Vista currently has a website that has a warning, so I went to Kobrand Wine & Spirits, instead for details. Just be careful, the internet can hack into your stuff, as you know.

WHO: Albaneve Estate Vineyard, is owned by Alta Vista Winery, and it’s located at nearly 4,000 feet in the Campo de los Andes sub-region of Argentina’s Uco Valley. It was established in 1999, and with it’s high-altitude vineyard it’s known for producing intense, high-quality Chardonnay, Malbec, and blends. The blends characterized by deep, rocky soils and a cool, sunny climate. Definitely worth trying and worth its suggested retail price of $22.50. I’ve also seen a price of about $38, so shop around.

WHAT: This Alta Vista sparkling wine is a Brut Blanc de Blanc. This  Blanc de Blanc is French for “white of whites.” It’s most commonly refers to a style of Champagne or sparkling wine, which is made entirely from white grapes, and it specifically Chardonnay grapes. Alta Vista’s Brut Nature is a Blanc de Blancs made 100 percent with Chardonnay grapes from the Albaneve Estate Vineyard, in the Uco Valley. With no additional dosage, the wine features light yellow color and golden sparks with a fine and persistent perlage. The aromas are intense and fresh revealing hints of white peach and fresh herbs. The aromas are intense and fresh revealing hints of white peach and fresh herbs.

Happy Valentine’s Day Everyone

The Best Poem ever for me is Elizabeth Barret Browning’s, which is called How Do I Love Thee, let’s me count the ways. You can find it on Poets.org. It begins with How do I Love Thee, Let’s me Count the Ways. She lived from 1806 to 1861, and was married to Robert Bowning. It’s a great one to recite to someone dear to you. Get romantic, because it’s so worth it with someone who can appreciate your passion, without trying to change and loves you just the way you are!

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Written by Jo Diaz, a partner of Diaz Communications, who is helping to make stars realize their dreams. Edited by partner Jose Diaz. To reprint, please contact Jo Diaz: jo@diaz-communications.com