Every holiday is different. Whether it be one of the winter holidays, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, Thanksgiving, or Talk Like a Pirate Day. They each have their own nuances requiring different tastes and styles in in champagne or sparkling wine.
A quick aside, I won’t go too in depth into the difference between champagne and sparkling wine. Simple, if it’s from the champagne region of France, it’s champagne. If it’s not, it’s something else, likely just sparkling wine, but not technically champagne. But for the sake of ease and fanciness we’ll just use the word “champagne”. *Sorry to my readers in France
So what makes the best tasting champagne? Here’s a secret – it’s not the price. The best champagne for the holidays is the one that you like. Let’s not get crazy.
affiliate links ahead!
And if you’re looking for something quick and nearby, I noticed Target has a TON of options (and of course all the accessories you need to go along with it!
Hanukkah
For Hanukkah I would recommend a nice Sparkling Rose. While munching on latkes, briket, noodle kugel, you’re going to want something that can be fully versatile and be able to jitterbug through all of the different options like Bayani Casimiro. A sparkling rose like a Joseph Cattin Cremant d’Alsace Rose is going to do that for you. And with all of the “Rose All Day” stuff going on right now, you probably have something on hand, if not it’s easier than ever to find something in your price point and to your taste.
Kwanzaa
Your Kwanzaa meal often employs a variety of spicy dishes, whether it be a creole dish, Jamaican type of dish, or African curry type of dish. You’re going to need something to help tame that fiery beast doing battle with your tongue! For this I recommend a nice sparkling Riesling. Like this Doctor Loosen Sparkling Riesling. The sweetness of this grape is going to dance around on your palette and tell those spice induced demons “Hey, we’re all cool here. It’s the holidays”. And everyone will be happy… Depending on ho much of it you drink.
Christmas Eve
Here he comes! Good Ol’ Saint Nick! Tonight is the night you’re readying yourself for the big day. You might be attending midnight mass, you might be having fondue, you might be getting visited by spirits intruding on your sleep. Whatever it is you’re doing, this just a buildup to the big day. For this I’d recommend making your own concoction. A sparkling Mulled Wine! Gluhwein is already sweetened with spices, all you need to do is provide the bubbly. And some bubbly water will do just fine in this case. Start with a nice red, like this Winderlea 2014 Dundee Hills Pinot Noir – Red Wine then add your mulling spices (cloves, cinnamon, orange and lemon peel), warm over a stove. Then add the bubbles!
Christmas
Christmas is here! The goose is indeed fat, and you’re getting another hillbilly hoover for Christmas! Yay! For this and for NYE I say break out the good stuff. It’s the celebration of the year and you want to be happy. Tiny bubbles make Don Ho happy, so why not you! I also saw that Moet has these cool Christmas themed bottles at Costco right now. Yeah, they got me.
Moet & Chandon Imperial (375ML half-bottle) – Champagne & Sparkling
New Year’s Eve
Should old acquaintances be forgot… wait, is that it? Doesn’t matter. The year’s over, you’re ringing in the new year, getting ready to sweep your entire house, bank a bunch of pots and pans together to chase out the spirits and wear your best polka dotted attire. And like a week ago, you’re breaking out the good stuff. But you already did Moet… try Veuve this time! And like the Moet, it doesn’t matter what you’re eating because you’re drinking good bubbly. Bonus, I’ve seen this at Costco too, and it had a nice outfit on.
Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut (375ML half-bottle) – Champagne & Sparkling
New Year’s Day
Ok, you’ve done a lot of bubbly drinking over the last week it’s now time to start winding down. The new year has started everything looks bright, there are football games on. And now that sparkling wine in a can has become acceptable, you no longer have to settle for the Champagne of Beers (Miller High Life)! And for this, I recommend getting whatever you can get your hands on because someone else will get their hands on it first!
So I hope I’ve cleared this up for you and whatever you’re celebrating, I hope you’re doing it with good cheer and at least decent bubbly. And what is a good champagne for the holidays? That one you’re drinking right there.