Pop the Cork!


Pop the Cork! Let the Celebration Begin!


by Tim Brinkmann, Williamson Social 

April 18, 2011 

Whether it’s the celebration of a wedding, birthday, job promotion, or simply because the day ends in “y”, everyday should be a Champagne day! Sparkling wine in pop culture has always played a key role in getting a party started. 

Whether it’s Cava from Spain, Prosecco from Italy, a full-bodied sparkling from the United States, or the classic Champagne from France, sparkling wine is one of the most versatile wines when it comes to food pairing. Sparkling wine pairs well with everything from savory appetizers (try sipping on bubbly with salty potato chips!) to seafood, spicy grilled meats and even sugary sweet after-dinner celebrations. They have more acidity which keeps the wine lively and refreshing, plus they’re produced in a very wide range of styles from light gold to rose. 

So where do those tiny bubbles come from? The bubbles of sparkling wine are formed during a secondary fermentation process. During this second fermentation, the winemaker will add additional yeast that feasts on the residual sugars converting it to carbon dioxide (the birth of bubbles) as well as alcohol. Typically, this process takes place inside the bottle, resulting in millions of bubbles trapped in a very small amount of space. The pressure inside an average bottle of sparkling wine is tremendous and that cork can act as a missile sailing through the air if not handled properly, so use caution when uncorking people!

Although all Champagnes are sparkling wines, it is important to note that not all sparkling wines are Champagne. Much to the eternal aggravation of the French, Champagne has become a generic term for sparkling wines. In order for a bottle to read “Champagne” on it, the wine must come exclusively from the Champagne region of France. However, this is just the beginning of a laundry list of rules and regulations Champagne winemakers must abide by. Because the Champagne label has such exclusivity, usually the price signs attached to them are steep, until now. More and more Champagnes are popping up with full-bodied palates at deflated prices. One of my favorites is Taittinger Brut La Francaise, a round, generous style, offering peach, candied lemon and honey flavors on a creamy texture. I served this for my staff at our Christmas party last year and we’ve been hooked ever since. Another is the Nicolas Feuillatte Brut NV, bright and substantial, with citrus and floral flavors. These wines prove that Champagne has become readily available for any budget. My best seller, however, is not champagne but a sparkling from France: Saint-Hilaire Brut. This is the oldest sparkling wine in the world, pre-dated 100 years before Dom Perignon’s discovery. Thomas Jefferson was said to be a huge Saint-Hilaire fan, with over 50 bottles of the wine discovered in his cellar after his death!

For a fun experience, create an aperitif to dessert menu, each course paired with a different style of sparkling wine. This is a great way to discover new wines and impress your friends at the same time. Remember, you don’t have to spend a lot to get a lot in return. I look forwarding to discussing your next bubbly adventure at my store! 

Cheers!
Tim Brinkmann