NV Jaume Serra, Cristalino ($12)
Of course you’re intending to drink some Champagne at midnight tomorrow night. And of course I’m all for that! But I just wanted to point out that if you choose carefully, you can find a sparkling wine from elsewhere that costs 1/3 the price of the cheapest Champagnes…and is pretty damned good! One of my favorite categories for bubbly value is Cava, from Spain (usually the northeast corner of Spain). And this particular bottle (I call it “Cristalino”)…though it’s not “Cristal,” is always among my favorite Cavas. I was on Fox’s Good Day New York this morning, doing a bubbly segment…and I conducted a little blind tasting on air with one of the hosts. She preferred Cristalino to a $60 bottle of Champagne! I myself was very impressed with the amount of grilled-bread character in this Cava, always a key criterion for me. Yes, the Champagne was richer…and therefore better for the big-wine crowd…but I think many would rather pop this nervy, lemony number from Spain tomorrow night!
Wine4Food
It will be excellent with Spanish ham, of course…but other hams too, smoked salmon, all elegant-salty starters, and will be a treat with creamy dishes, should you be going there. Blanquette de Veau, anyone? Happy New Year!
20% OFF Champagne & 15% OFF Wine
In honor of my Good Day NY segment, we are offering 20% OFF Champagne (enter GONET20 at checkout) and 15% OFF wine (enter TASTE15 at checkout) in our shop through December 31st. Free delivery on orders over $100 in Manhattan and over $500 in the tri-state area.
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