In my last blog, I suggested some white and red wines to seek out when you want to lower your wine cost and still drink well. But what about sparkling and rosé? Can you find these wines in an affordable price range?
Sparkling wines and rosé are some of the most popular wines, especially at this time of year. The days are warmer, we have more time, we want to celebrate Spring. Well, there are a number of great choices for those of us who love bubbles and rosé that do not require a major investment.
First, let’s talk about bubbles.
Champagne is a great wine, but none of us can afford to drink it every day. I like Prosecco just fine, but let’s face it, it is not Champagne! So, when I want a sparkling wine similar in style of Champagne—with more complexity of flavor and a more elegant sparkle—I turn to the Loire Valley and Languedoc.
The Loire Valley is most famous in the U.S. for elegant, complex whites. And those are great wines. But also wonderful is sparkling Vouvray, in my opinion the unsung hero of this area. Made from Chenin Blanc, using the same method as Champagne—traditional method—sparkling Vouvray is likely to become your new best friend. At a fraction of the price of Champagne, sparkling Vouvray should accompany you to every party and also keep you company during self-isolation. The very first sip will bring a smile to your face for sure. It pairs well with any appetizer and also with all fried foods as well as fish, roasted chicken, and pasta with cheese or cream sauce.
The other unlikely area for sparkling wine is the Languedoc. Yes, the Languedoc makes many delightful reds and some good whites at very reasonable prices, but the best kept secret here are the sparkling wines of Limoux. A small area in the Southwest of France, Limoux has been making sparkling wines in the traditional method longer than Champagne. So, they know a thing of two about bubbles! Look for Blanquette de Limoux or Cremant de Limoux. The price of these wines belies their quality. These are the best value on the market for sparkling wines from France. Pair them with anything—or nothing—and smile!
And what about rosé?
Here, too, I have some tips. You know I love Provence rosé. Who doesn’t? But for those who do not live in Provence, rosés from this area can be a little pricey. So, what to do if you like rosé? Travel just a little to the west, hugging the Mediterranean Coast of France. You will arrive in the Languedoc: a large, warm, and sunny area that makes a lot of wine. And some of that wine is really really really good rosé. Made in the same style as Provence rosé—dry, crisp and aromatic—these wines are significantly cheaper because both land costs and labor costs are lower than in Provence. And this is a boon to the consumer! So, look for the delightful light-colored rosés from Languedoc and get in the mood for summer.
I know I don’t really need to tell you what to pair rosé with, but if you want my advice, here it is: goat cheese, salads, fish, shellfish, spicy dishes and… maybe even strawberry cake!
Like you, I am in confinement and to keep the fun going, I have launched a wine school on Instagram. I will post short videos on wine topics I teach in class and also invite everyone to submit questions. Ask me what you have always wanted to learn about wine. Santé!