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Feeling Bubbly

Janet Orsi Champagne Kisses: Local sparkling wines enliven the year's end. Holidays lead to sparkling conversation By Bob Johnson IF YOU'RE PLANNING to attend a New Year's Eve party next week, chances are you'll be imbibing a bit of the bubbly. And whether it's a pricy bottle of Dom Perignon or a cheap bottle of Asti Spumante, no beverage says "party" better than champagne. So as to avoid an international incident, let me quickly point out that the only true champagne comes from the Champagne region of France. The French are very persnickety about this point: There can be no Spanish champagne, Italian champagne, or Sonoma County champagne. They've even instigated litigation on the subject. This is why any champagnelike bottling not from France is usually referred to by the generic term "sparkling wine." Talking about champagne and/or sparkling wine can be almost as much fun as drinking it. And since we often find ourselves conversing with complete strangers at parties, a ready supply of sparkling conversation can come in handy. To prepare yourself for New Year's Eve, try committing the following fascinating facts to memory so that you may call upon them during those inevitable awkward and silent moments ... Dom Perignon, a Benedictine monk who lived from 1638 until 1715, generally is credited with "inventing" champagne. Not true. His contribution was to improve champagne through better vineyard, blending, and cellaring practices. Napoleon Bonaparte is reputed to have hauled bottles of champagne with him onto battlefields. "In victory you deserve it," he said, "and in defeat you need it." The glass used for champagne bottles is thick and heavy for a very good reason: to keep the bottle from exploding. Typically, champagne's carbon dioxide gas produces more than 13 pounds of pressure--equivalent to the pressure used to inflate a car tire. By the way, it's the second fermentation of the wine inside the bottle, stimulated by the carbon dioxide, that gives champagne its prise de mousse--a fancy French term for bubbles. The best way to enjoy champagne is in a flute-style glass, which allows the wine to "sparkle" for an extended period of time. You can drink champagne in a regular wine glass, but the effervescence will dissipate much more quickly. And champagne without bubbles is like (analogies are very personal things; please fill in your own) ... Legend has it that the traditional saucer glass used for drinking champagne was molded from Marie Antoinette's breast. However, it is not known whether the left or right breast. Speaking of breasts--always a good party topic--champagne is said to have assisted the birth of jazz. Legendary jazz pianist Jelly Roll Morton claims to have "invented" the musical style in 1902, although jazz historians dispute Morton's claim, since in 1902 he was still a year away from adolescence. However, historians do not dispute the assertion that Morton was a jazz pioneer, nor that much of his inspiration came while hanging out in New Orleans bordellos where he enjoyed sipping fine Cliquot champagne. NOW THAT YOU KNOW enough about champagne to be dangerous at a party, why not purchase a bottle or two? The Sonoma County sparklers that follow are rated on a scale of one to four corks: one cork, OK to drink in a traditional wine glass; two corks, Napoleonic in stature (you need it and you deserve it); three corks, the French be damned, this is great champagne; and four corks, worthy of Marie Antoinette herself. Gloria Ferrer 1989 Brut Very spritzy, with layers of ripe apple and butter flavors leading to a tart citrus finish. Well melded. 4 corks. Also from Gloria Ferrer: Sonoma Brut, 3.5 corks; and Blanc de Noirs, 3.5 corks. J. Wine Co. 1993 J Sparkling Wine A leesy, citrusy nose leads to cherry and peach flavors and a cherry/citrus finish. The stylized "J" on the bottle makes this wine a marvelous gift. 4 corks. Van der Kamp 1993 English Cuvée A big, bold style with toasty buttery qualities, a citrus fruit flavor, and a long, lingering afterflavor. 3.5 corks. Geyser Peak 1993 Sparkling Red Wine What happens when you take an Aussie's cabernet-shiraz blend and decide to do a méthode champenoise? Here is winemaker Darryl Groom's answer, and a pleasing one it is. Heady, ripe red fruit flavors are in the nose and on the palate, leading to a clean, fruity finish. This highly unusual bottling isn't for everyone, but I wouldn't mind finding it under my Christmas tree. Available only at the winery. 3.5 corks. Iron Horse 1990 Blanc de Blancs LD A very yeasty, creamy nose leads to alluring lemon oil and nutty flavors and a pleasing, lingering finish. 3.5 corks. Also from Iron Horse: 1989 Brut LD, 3.5 corks; 1992 Classic Vintage Brut, 3.5 corks; 1992 Russian Cuvée, 3.5 corks; 1991 Vrais Amis ("True Friends"), 3.5 corks; 1994 Wedding Cuvée, 3 corks; and 1991 Brut Rosé, 3 corks. Domaine Carneros 1992 Brut Crisp and clean with attractive banana and caramel nuances and evident toastiness. 3.5 corks. Schug 1995 Rouge de Noir Brut Tasty strawberry and cherry aromas and flavors in a clean, crisp style. The Wine Spectator panned this bottling; it may not be the best sparkler to date from Schug, but it's quite tasty and refreshing. 3 corks. Korbel Natural California Champagne A flowery nose leading to sweet citrus and green apple flavors. 3.5 corks. Also from Korbel: Kosher Champagne, 3 corks; Brut Champagne, 3 corks; 1991 Le Premier Champagne, 2.5 corks; Rouge Champagne, 2 corks; Extra Dry Champagne, 2 corks; and Chardonnay Champagne, 1.5 corks. [ Sonoma County | MetroActive Central | Archives ]