One wants something light, effervescent and joyful to
welcome the New Year. Queue the sparkling wine, along with Auld Lang Syne.

While some strictly quaff Champagne from France for the holidays, many prefer domestic.

If you want to fill your flute with local bubbles, several local wineries can oblige, including Casa de Fruta (Grand Cuvée Brut and pomegranate), Clos la Chance (Amber’s Cuvée of grenache), Creekview Vineyards (Extra Dry and raspberry), Fortino (California Champagne Extra Dry and almond sparkling), Guglielmo (Emile’s California Champagne Extra Dry, Emile’s Grand Cuvée Champagne, Emile’s Almond Sparkling, Moscato and Prosecco) Kirigin Cellars (California Champagne), Morgan Hill Cellars (Champagne), Sarah’s Vineyard (Brut sparkling and Brut rosé) and Rapazzini (sparkling wine/Champagne and almond).

Casa de Fruta, Fortino, Guglielmo, Kirigan, Morgan Hill
Cellars and Rapazzini are grandfathered in the use of the word “Champagne” on
their labels, having produced the stuff long before the EU was a gleam in the
eyes of NATO members.

Bertha Valenzuela, sales director for Fortino, says the
almond sparkling has been flying out the door for 25 years. “We sell and pour
so much of it that it truly is hard to keep track!”

For New Year’s Eve, the folks at Guglielmo recommend their Cipriani
peach purée, imported from Italy, where the peach Bellini is said to have
originated in Venice, at Harry’s Bar, circa 1931. Add Emile’s Grand Cuvée for a
truly festive take on this popular drink.

Cheers!

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Laura Ness

Laura Ness is an accomplished freelance writer offering travel tips and commentary on the California wine industry.

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