Enjoy the New Year's Eve fireworks show at a safe distance, but if you want some (flavor) explosions in your glass, grab a bottle or three of these festive, colorful sparkling rosés. They are sure to enhance any celebratory moment, whether the group is large and raucous or small and intimate. And if you have a surplus after the evening's excitement has come to a close, break out the bubbly to ensure a fine start to a leisurely New Year's Day. Continue on to see 5 of my favorite sparkling rosés: 4 modestly priced picks along with a splurge-worthy true Champagne. One of which is my 2012 Wine of the Year.
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Huber Hugo Rosé
Let's get started with a bottle from Austria, the Huber "Hugo" from Weingut Markus Huber. It's a blend of Pinot Noir and Austria's signature red wine grape, Zweigelt. I have to say I am kind of charmed by "rosé sparkling" versus "sparkling rosé." Maybe I'll start a new trend in ordering? Like saying "I'll have the pasta with sauce pesto." Eh, maybe not.
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Antech "Emotion" Cremant de Limoux Rosé
It is impossible for me to resist a pun when it comes to the name of this sparkling rosé from the south of France. But I'm going to keep my emotions in check. (Whoops. Sorry.) The Antech (a blend of Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Mauzac, and Pinot Noir) is pale and elegant, like a Hollywood star from a bygone era.
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Valdo Rosé Brut
I'd ride this dang pink bike all over Italy if only to spread the word about the Valdo. It's made mostly from Nerello Mascalese, a red grape from Sicily. The folks at Valdo bring it up north to their neck of the woods in the Prosecco-producing Veneto region to make this cheap and cheerful sparkling rosé.
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My 2012 Wine of the Year: Scarpetta Timido Vino Spumante Brut Rosé
I was introduced to the wines of Scarpetta at a stupendous lunch in Seattle. Scarpetta is an Italian winery started by Master Sommelier Bobby Stuckey and Chef Lachlan Patterson; together they opened Frasca Food and Wine in Boulder, Colorado. Their sparkling rosé is a blend of Pinot Nero (aka Pinot Noir) and a grape I had never heard of: Franconia. No matter, as the wine is flat-out delicious. And perfect with a plate of spicy cured meat. I wish I could have described the genius of this wine as succinctly as Bobby did that day: "It’s tender and savory." A stupendously original, fascinating, and extremely pleasurable wine for (in Seattle) under $25.
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Champagne R.H. Coutier Rosé
How could I go through this list and not include a true Champagne? (It's just sparkling wine unless it comes from the hallowed grounds of the Champagne region.) The R.H. Coutier (a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir) is a favorite, and I find the label hypnotic and entrancing. So splurge a bit, because it's the end of the year. And then make a New Year's resolution to not just drink Champagne on New Year's Eve!
Happy New Year, everybody!