Every December, we have a Sparkling Tasting and Sabrage party and pick at least Five Sparkling Wines for the New Year Celebration.
For our party and to celebrate upcoming 2024, we picked a diverse flight to find a favorite for everyone in our wine club. Still, there was a uniting theme – all were vintage sparkling wines.
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2021 SSV Teinturier Brut Rose
The 2021 SSV Teinturier Brut Rose was rare for a few reasons. First, it comes from Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard, one of the best producers of the Finger Lakes region in New York State.
Wiemer is more known for its Riesling and Gewurztraminer, and we were excited to try their sparkling from Saperavi grape, a native variety from the Georgia Republic. What made it even more intriguing than the rarety of a grape is its use in sparkling wine because, historically, it has been used to make dry and sweet red wines in Georgia.
2021 SSV (Standing Stone Vineyard) Rose Brut has a vibrant cranberry pink color thanks to Saperavi’s pink flesh, a rare quality among a group of black grapes called Tenturier reflected on the label.
Teinturier borrowed more than color from cranberry because it comes through in aromas and flavors along with red apple, strawberry, and a hint of rose. It has a pleasant bitter note of nectarine skin on the palate and finishes with savory notes of Goji berries.
We tasted Saperavi-based sparkling for the first time, and we didn’t really know what to expect. We could only compare it to other Rosé bubbles we had before. While interesting, we felt it was a bit angular and needed 6-12 months to better integrate flavors and show its full potential. We laid down a few bottles in our cellar to test our theory.
2018 Klein Constantia Methode Cap Classique Estate Brut
Klein Constantia is among our favorite South African producers, and not only because we fell in love with its legendary Vin de Constance.
Klein Constantia is one of the oldest wineries in the region, tracing its beginning to the 17th century, and synonymous with quality South African wine.
South African bubbles are a rarity in the American market, and the most interesting Cap Classique ( Méthode Champenoise) sparkling we tried before Constantia was the 2012 Brut Zero by Graham Beck, another well-known producer of this region. So when we saw Klein Constantia bubbles, we immediately knew it’s gonna be a part of the 2023 Sabrage Tasting.
The winemaker who crafted this Chardonnay-based Cap Classique vintage sparkling wine is a true master of the craft. We knew we were in for a treat from the moment we uncorked the bottle and poured a glass. The wine had a complex aroma that was both fruity and earthy, with notes of marmalade, limestone, and freshly baked orange cake. As we sipped, we were delighted by the layers of flavor that unfolded on our palate – toasty brioche, creamy fine mousse, apple monpassier candy, vanilla, and brie. The wine concluded with an impressive, bold, and elegant finish, leaving a zesty and refreshing sensation that lingered long after we finished our glasses. Overall, this is a wine that truly exceeded our expectations and left us longing for more.
Priced at just $47, the 2018 Klein Constantia Brut can give even the most expensive Champagnes a run for their money.
2021 Mollydooker Miss Molly Sparkling Shiraz
Shiraz bubbles are our long-time crush because they remind us of red sparkling wines from our home country, Moldavia.
2021 Mollydooker Miss Molly Sparkling Shiraz is made by a family-owned McLaren Vale, South Australia winery. Their trademarked winemaking techniques add a unique touch to their wines, representing the region’s warm coastal climate. Established in 2005, the winery is named after an Australian slang for left-handed people, reflecting that most of the team, including the owner Sarah, are left-handed.
The Miss Molly Sparkling Shiraz has a nose that sparkles with rich candied blackcurrants, while the mouthfeel is a symphony of bright, delicate bubbles. On the palate, cherry and fresh plum dance delicately amongst bitter dark chocolate and licorice. The fragrant oak adds layers of complexity and a hint of vanilla, coconut, and cocoa nibs to this generous spectrum of flavors, resulting in a satisfying Shiraz.
Some of our club members found it a bit overwhelming, expecting a lighter bubble, but if you love fruity yet full-bodied Australian Shiraz*** and bubbles, you’ll get two-in-one with Miss Molly.
2021 Ruggeri Giustino B. Prosecco Extra Dry Superiore
Many members of our club have a fondness for Prosecco. Having Prosecco Millesimato (vintage) before, we wanted to introduce them to a higher quality of this Italian classic with the 2021 Ruggeri Giustino Prosecco. What separates Ruggeri from most supermarkets’ typical “drink and forget” Prosecco?
Firstly, vintage Prosecco (having harvest year on the label) is even rarer than vintage Champagne, especially if we consider the Prosecco’s production volume. Secondly, the fruit used in this wine comes from the Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore, which is the premier vineyard region in the area. Both of these features point to the highest quality Prosecco produced in this region.
The wine’s intense straw-yellow color and fine, persistent bubbles instantly captivate the eye. Its bouquet is full and complex, with hints of tangerine, orange mousse, peach, peach nectar, and tarragon. The 2021 Ruggeri Giustino Prosecco is rich, harmonious, and balanced in the mouth, revealing its elegance.
Say farewell to cheap Prosecco if you try it, as drinking the cheap supermarket variety will be hard.
2015 Moet & Chandon Grand Vintage Brut Rose
Moet & Chandon has been the Champagne of success and glamour for a long time. Even the big shots of that time, like the Marquise de Pompadour and Napoleon, fell in love with their bubbly wine. Moet & Chandon is famous for its achievements and pioneering spirit, symbolizing both cherished traditions and modern pleasures. For over 270 years, Moet & Chandon has been helping people celebrate life’s most triumphant moments.
2015 Moët & Chandon Extra-Brut Rosé Grand Vintage is a stunning Champagne with a deep magenta color and hints of pink and aromatic peppercorn. The 52% Pinot Noir, 27% Chardonnay, and 21% Pinot Meunier blend creates a concentrated, deep fruit flavor with well-balanced tannins. The refreshing finish has notes of sloe and cranberry with a delicate, chalky texture. This sleek and well-crafted sparkling rosé carries flavors of plum skin, raspberry, almond, grapefruit zest, and oyster shell. The 2015 Moët & Chandon Extra-Brut Rosé has a rich and vinous texture with terrific persistence that lingers on the palate. All in all, it’s a must-try for anyone who loves a good Champagne.
And the Winner Is…
Picking a sparkling winner was challenging because of the diverse tastes among the 40+ members of our club at the tasting. It was interesting to observe how the Teinturier was described as sweet by some and tart by others, how few didn’t really like Mollydooker at first but grew fond of it on a second try, and how non-fans of Prosecco appreciated this high-end version of it.
Still, despite differences of opinion, two names came up consistently – Klein Constantia and Moët & Chandon. Some even preferred South African Cap Classique over costlier French elite Champagne, proving our assertion that some may like it over more than expensive bubbles even if the price hardly matters to them.
Let’s make this New Year’s Eve celebration unforgettable! Share your recommendations for the perfect bubbly, and inspire your friends to do the same by liking and sharing this post. And remember to subscribe to our wine reviews to discover new flavors and enhance your expertise in the world of wine.