The best bang for your buck and the most fun for your guests, these are the wines that make your holiday parties shine.

Non-Vintage Sparkling Wine from Crémant/Blanquette de Limoux, Languedoc-Roussillon, France

[ 'Top 100 Values of 2010' and 88 points Wine & Spirits: This sparkler's zingy lemon-lime flavors evolve into fuller pineapple notes, a yeasty character adding breadth. With its cardamom-like spice, it's suited to rich fish or roasted chicken. (Jun 2010) Crémant de Limoux contains primarily Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc, with the addition of Mauzac (locally known as Blanquette) and Pinot Noir. AOC regulations dictate that the wine be aged for a least a year on the lees prior to disgorgement. ] 'Top 100 Values of 2010' and 88 points Wine & Spirits: This sparkler's zingy lemon-lime flavors evolve into fuller pineapple notes, a yeasty character adding breadth. With its cardamom-like spice, it's suited to rich fish or roasted chicken. (Jun…

Vintage Sparkling Wine from Emilia-Romagna, Italy

[ Sparkling dry white from 100% Malvasia. Cold maceration is kept to a minimum to enhance the fresh aromatic notes of the variety. The wine is bottled keeping its natural yeasts from the fine lees. When these dissolve they give more complexity and finesse to the wine. The flavor is accompanied by a delicate but taut acidity. Food Matching: Particularly good with cured meats from Emilia and gnocco fritto (deep-fried puffed-up bread), vegetables in batter, fried seafood, flan with ricotta and chard. ] Sparkling dry white from 100% Malvasia. Cold maceration is kept to a minimum to enhance the fresh aromatic notes of the variety. The wine is bottled keeping its natural yeasts from the fine lees. When these dissolve they give more complexity and…

Non-Vintage Sparkling Wine from Lombardia, Italy

[ 70% Chardonnay, 25% Pinot Blanc, 5% Pinot Noir. Aged a minimum of 18 months on the lees. Intense straw yellow color. Fine aromas of yeast and ripe fruit. Long, soft and fragrant on the palate. ] 70% Chardonnay, 25% Pinot Blanc, 5% Pinot Noir. Aged a minimum of 18 months on the lees. Intense straw yellow color. Fine aromas of yeast and ripe fruit. Long, soft and fragrant on the palate.

Vintage Sparkling Wine from Piedmont, Italy

[ A unique sparkling wine made from Erbaluce and aged in bottle for 18 to 36 months, all in the Champagne tradition. The soil underlying the Erbaluce vineyards was formed millions of years ago during the ice age and is essentially a glacial moraine of stone and silt. Approximately 2000 bottles of this hand-crafted spumante are produced annually. ] A unique sparkling wine made from Erbaluce and aged in bottle for 18 to 36 months, all in the Champagne tradition. The soil underlying the Erbaluce vineyards was formed millions of years ago during the ice age and is essentially a glacial moraine of…

Vintage Sparkling Wine from Gavi/Cortese di Gavi DOCG, Piedmont, Italy

[ The sparkling brut from La Ghibellina is made from 100% estate-grown Cortese, aged on the lees for 24 months. There are few Italian indigenous varieties that make very good 'classic method' sparkling wines, and the tart mineral character of Cortese makes it an obvious choice. Excellent as a dry aperitif, or a match for seafood antipasti. The idea of this wine with 'fritto misto' is making my mouth water. ] The sparkling brut from La Ghibellina is made from 100% estate-grown Cortese, aged on the lees for 24 months. There are few Italian indigenous varieties that make very good 'classic method' sparkling wines, and the tart mineral character of Cortese…

Vintage Sparkling Wine from Asti/Moscato d'Asti DOCG, Piedmont, Italy

[ Elio Perrone Moscato d'Asti Sourgal is golden in color and lightly sparkling (frizzante). This slightly sweet sparkler of 100% Moscato offers a delightful nose of raisins, violets and spice. Medium in body with perfect acidity and balance, it delivers intense flavors of raisins, sultanas and spice. Luscious, long and sweet, it cleanses the palate on the finish. Food Pairings: melon and prosciutto; it is also a superb light dessert wine, perfect with melon, pears or strawberries. 2014 vintage rated 90 points by Antonio Galloni (Vinous). ] Elio Perrone Moscato d'Asti Sourgal is golden in color and lightly sparkling (frizzante). This slightly sweet sparkler of 100% Moscato offers a delightful nose of raisins, violets and spice. Medium in body with perfect acidity and balance, it…

Non-Vintage Sparkling Wine from Mendoza, Argentina

[ Yellow color with greenish nuances and a fine continuous stream of bubbles. First, the bouquet reveals intense honey, well integrated with white fruits such us pear and quince, typical of the Chardonnay variety from Tupungato. Toasted bread and honey hints to the long contact with lees. Notes of orange peel and candied cherries add further complexity. ] Yellow color with greenish nuances and a fine continuous stream of bubbles. First, the bouquet reveals intense honey, well integrated with white fruits such us pear and quince, typical of the Chardonnay variety from Tupungato. Toasted bread and honey…

Non-Vintage Rosé Sparkling Wine from Beaujolais, France

[ 90 points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): ...The new version of FRV 100 ('effervescent' if you sound it out in French) is excellent, wafting from the glass in a vibrant bouquet of white cherries, strawberries, a lovely base of soil tones and a topnote of rose petals. On the palate the wine is full-bodied bright and gently sweet, with frothy mousse, lovely focus and balance and a long, succulent and bouncy finish. This is flat out delicious! 2018-2023. (May/Jun 2018) ] 90 points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): ...The new version of FRV 100 ('effervescent' if you sound it out in French) is excellent, wafting from the glass in a vibrant bouquet of white cherries, strawberries, a lovely base of soil tones and a…

Non-Vintage Rosé Sparkling Wine from Alsace, France

[ Stephan Reinhardt (Wine Advocate): Based on Pinot Noir... very pale color with just a hint of rosé. Very delicate fruit aroma with hints of red berries and flowers on the very subtle, fresh and elegant nose lead to a full-flavored and quite expressive palate. The wine is quite powerful and fruit intense but in a discreet and elegant way. Firmly structured but provided with fine bubbles and an aromatic aftertaste there is really finesse in this very well-made and distinctive sparkling wine... 2016-2018. (Sep 2015) ] Stephan Reinhardt (Wine Advocate): Based on Pinot Noir... very pale color with just a hint of rosé. Very delicate fruit aroma with hints of red berries and flowers on the very subtle, fresh and elegant nose lead to a full-flavored and quite…

Non-Vintage Rosé Sparkling Wine from Beaujolais, France

[ A biodynamic certified sparkling Gamay from Beaujolais with a delightful pink hue. ] A biodynamic certified sparkling Gamay from Beaujolais with a delightful pink hue.

Non-Vintage Sparkling Wine from Burgundy, France

[ Chardonnay and Aligoté. The Chardonnay, by far the majority, supplies it with all the traits of its character. The Aligoté gives it the gift of vivacity. Well balanced, this cremant's vitality and youthfulness will know how to seduce the palate of amateur connoisseurs of cremant Blanc de Blancs. ] Chardonnay and Aligoté. The Chardonnay, by far the majority, supplies it with all the traits of its character. The Aligoté gives it the gift of vivacity. Well balanced, this cremant's vitality and youthfulness will know how to seduce the palate of…

Non-Vintage Rosé Sparkling Wine from Burgundy, France

[ 100% Pinot Noir. Its delicate color and unique aromas are obtained through a short maceration of the Pinot Noir. Fruity nose and fine effervescence. Round and elegant. A delicious compliment to any dessert. John Gilman: ...lovely color of bright salmon. The bouquet is a stylish blend of orange, strawberry, wheat toast, a touch of soil and a touch of smokiness. On the palate the wine is medium-full, crisp and honest, with a good core... there is good stuffing here and a nice bounciness. 2013-2017. (Jul/Aug 2013) ] 100% Pinot Noir. Its delicate color and unique aromas are obtained through a short maceration of the Pinot Noir. Fruity nose and fine effervescence. Round and elegant. A delicious compliment to any dessert. John Gilman: ...lovely color of bright…