Why Sparkling Wines Are the Real Stars of the Christmas Season

The first pop of a cork at the holidays is something special. The jubilant fizz, the probably bubbles sparking in the glass, it is a liquid celebration. In France or elsewhere there is hardly a Christmas table without a bottle of something sparkling. It is a fancy Champagne, it is a refreshing Crémant, it is a merry Prosecco, or whatever it may be, these wines are now icons of happiness, communion, and celebration.

Christmas in France is a sensual affair. The families also eat oysters, foie gras, roast capon and bûche de Noel each served with care. However, sparkling wines have a special role: these wines open the feast, bind people around the table, and raise everything they rest on. Their light acidity and soft bubbles clean the palate and bring the seasonal celebratory flavors to the fore.

The Magic Behind the Bubbles

What is so special about sparkling wine? It’s the craftsmanship! Hundreds of years old customs are practiced with great accuracy in Champagne: the wine is processed in the bottle during a second fermentation to form fine, long-lasting bubbles that play on the tongue. The same traditional way is used in the creation of the Crémant which is produced in places like Burgundy, Alsace, and in the Loire Valley though with local grape producing a different personality in the bottle. And finally, there is the light and fruity Prosecco, an operation of Italy that is produced in the Charmat style to make the drink a lighter and less formal sparkling, which is ideal in brunch and afternoon gatherings.

The Best Places Sparkling Wines Shine

Breakfast till midnight there is a sparkling moment with everyone:

• Christmas Brunch: A glass of Prosecco and smoked salmon or croissants will make an ordinary meal a celebration.
• Festive Toasts: Champagne is sophisticated with any toast and its intricacy reflects the party season.
• New Year Eve: A good Crémant in the Loire does nothing to your spirits like a fine Crémant at midnight.

Every year I use this article to get some current wine gems, and was always happy with premium ideas from 8Wines.

Out of Champagne: a Sparkling World

Although Champagne may have been born in France, its regional Crémants are exceptionally good and varied in terms of value. Crémant d’Alsace is floral, Crémant de Bourgogne is elegant and mineral, and Crémant de Loire is appertaining and refreshing with the aroma of apples and citrus. Both of them are stories of place, culture, and savoir-faire – a proposal to do France one bubble at a time.

Then make your Christmas gleam this year. Select bottles that are as uplifting as you are, and as each of your menus, and as your exploration. You can use sparkling wines to celebrate with your friends in your home or when you are out in the streets of Paris, that is because, joy is to be shared.