Sparkling Selections for your New Year's Eve Soirée & Toasts for the Holiday Host!

Well, the countdown to 2013 is on and it's time for the big reveal: The Wine Atelier's Sparkling Selections for your New Year's Eve Soiree! No matter what your price range, there's an option to suit your toasting needs as well as a few fabulous New Year's Eve toasts that make the perfect accessory for the Holiday Host or Hostess. All wines are available for purchase through The Wine Atelier, and without further ado, here they are:

Caposaldo Prosecco DOC: Hailing from the rolling hills of the Veneto, this sparkler is named for Emperor Nero's favorite racehorse of the Circus Maximus. Made from the Glera grape, it is light bodied with a crisp acidity and lovely, fresh notes of citrus, green apple and white flowers. This sparkler makes a fabulous aperitif and pairs well with a variety of dishes including cheeses, antipasti and shellfish. While fabulous for sipping on its own, this wine's reasonable price makes it a great choice for making festive, sparkling wine-based drinks such as Mimosas, Bellinis or Pomegranate-Rosemary Royales. Price: $14

Toast: "In the New Year may your right hand be stretched out in friendship but never in want." ~ Traditional Irish Toast

J Vineyards Brut Rosé NV: While the beautiful bottle makes a fabulous presentation the gorgeous pink bubbly inside certainly lives up to its inviting appearance. This holiday sparkler is a blend of 64% Pinot Noir, 34% Chardonnay and 2% Pinot Meunier and hails from the cool climate of California's world renowned Russian River Valley. Delicate aromas and flavors of strawberry, raspberry and citrus precede a crisp, refreshing effervescence on the palate. While perfect on its own, this bubbly is also a wonderful pairing for dishes including charcuterie, shellfish or even roasted chicken. Price: $38

Toast: "May we live to learn well, and learn to live well. May you live as long as you want, and never want as long as you live." ~ Anonymous 

Schramsberg Vineyards Blanc de Noirs 2008: Blanc de Noirs means "white from black" and as the name implies this sparkler from "America's House of Sparkling Wine" is predominantly Pinot Noir, made from 91% Pinot Noir and 9% Chardonnay. Schramsberg pioneered the Blanc de Noirs style in the United States, producing the first such American sparkler in 1967. This luxurious sparkling wine has a creamy texture of toasted brioche, vanilla, baked apple and hazelnut. While perfect for enjoying on its own it has ample body to stand up to dishes including macadamia-crusted halibut or roasted pork tenderloin.  Price: $38

Toast: "Here's a toast to the future; a toast to the past, and a toast to our friends, far and near. May the future be pleasant, the past a bright dream. May our friends remain faithful and dear." ~ Anonymous 

Charles Heidsieck Brut Réserve NV: Known as the Champagne that seduced the Royal Courts, Charles Heidsieck is definitely one of Champagne's best kept secrets. This House's non vintage offering is one of my personal favorites, representing a decadent blend of 1/3 each Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunier. The fact that it includes 40% reserve wine in the blend with an average age of 10 years, with some going back as far as 15 years, really sets this cuvée apart. The result is a toasty, rich, complex style of Champagne with notes of apricot, dried fruit and almonds that is ideal for ringing in the New Year. Price: $50

Toast: "May you never lie, cheat or drink. But if you must lie, lie in each other's arms. If you must cheat, cheat death. And if you must drink, drink with all of us because we love you!" ~ Anonymous 

Egly-Ouriet Brut Tradition Grand Cru NV: Winemaker Francis Egly's wines are counted among the most well-respected "Grower Champagnes" and are made with the utmost of care from vines located in the Grand Cru villages of Bouzy, Verzenay and Ambonnay. This bright and refreshing Brut is a blend of 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay that is not fined or filtered, allowing the terroir to shine through. Notes of warmed crepes drizzled with fruit compote; pink and white flowers; and a touch of vanilla are evident on the nose of this Champagne followed by flavors of black and red cherries, fresh ginger and white pepper. A special bottle for a special evening! Price: $75

Toast: "For last year's words belong to last year's language, and next year's words await another voice. And to make an end is to make a beginning." ~ T.S. Elliot
 

Champagne Krug Grande Cuvée: Krug is known for its unrelenting attention to detail in producing one of the finest Champagnes in the world. Krug President Maggie Henriquez likens their portfolio of cuvées to haute couture due to the meticulous attention to detail involved in their production, and rightly so: the Krug Grande Cuvée, the house's flagship multi-vintage bottling, is a blend of 120 hand-crafted reserve wines from over ten different vintages. The full-bodied, opulent Grande Cuvée delights with enticing aromas of toasted brioche, marzipan, and complex flavors of citrus peel, hazelnuts and spice. An exceptionally elegant cuvée! Price: $160

Toast: "Be at war with your voices, at peace with your neighbors and let every New Year find you a better man." ~ Benjamin Franklin

To purchase any of the above selections, please call 561-317-6663 or email everydaywinegirl@aol.com. No matter which sparkler you select for your New Year's Celebration I wish you a truly magical evening and all the best in 2013!  

Cheers,