Bubbles are a must for the holidays, and there are so many great variations out there that I’d like to highlight an entire category, not just one producer.
Champagne is the benchmark, but there are also appellations all over France that make great sparklers. If they aren’t produced in the Champagne region specifically, these sparkling wines are referred to as “crémant” by the French.
These wines are typically still brut in style but they are made from grapes native to other regions in France.
Loire Valley, for example, makes wonderful crémant from sauvignon blanc or chenin blanc varietals, among others.
I highly recommend Saint-Hilaire, a great brut crémant for under $20.
Kevin Castellano, an area wine and liquor expert. wayzatawineandspirits.com
