This week, Northwesterners from Oregon to British Columbia are getting ready to pop bottles and close the chapter of 2017. As it turns out, this region can bubble with the best of them. Here are five picks to consider for this Sunday’s celebration.
Domaine Ste. Michelle Extra Dry | Paterson, WA | $13 | For the party guests who prefer fresh-forward wines over sweet, this is for you. The Extra Dry boasts just a touch of sweetness with crisp flavors of apple, pear and white cherries. Chateau Ste. Michelle’s bubbly counterpart has been making traditional sparkling wines since 1978, with a lineup of classic and shareable sparkling wines. Shareable indeed, since this Northwest-grown sparkling wines are available for an approachable price, perfect for the larger get together.
Haywire Winery 2015 The Bub | Summerland, BC | $30 | This playfully crown-capped sparkler lives and breathes out the cool, crisp terroir of the Okanagan Valley, where Haywire Winery creates a variety of organic wines. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes blend and fizz to give way to toasted and citrus notes. The Bub is also bottle fermented like most traditional Champagne, but carries a low-key likability fit for any party.
Treveri Cellars Sparkling Riesling | Yakima, WA | $17 | Treveri is eager to put the Pacific Northwest on the sparkling wine map, being Washington’s only winery entirely dedicated to the bubbly beverage. The winery keeps tradition in mind while exploring Northwest varietals not commonly used in sparkling wine. The Riesling is a common crowd favorite, and the effervescence brings it to life. Pair with something savory or enjoy on its own — this semi-dry sparkler is zippy and highly aromatic with rich flavors of stone fruit and honey.
Argyle Winery 2013 Black Brut | Dundee, OR | $35 | Maybe you want to ring in the new year with something different. Argyle has long been a landmark for Oregon sparkling wine since 1987. Argyle’s Black Brut stands uniquely on its own as a dark sparkler with 100 percent Willamette Valley Pinot Noir grapes, but is no less luscious in its own right. Rich notes of black cherry are ready to awaken the senses, and the effervescence accentuates a long, spiced finish.
Anne Amie Vineyards 2013 Marilyn Brut Rosé | Carlton, OR | $45 | Enter 2017, where “Rosé All Day” was our undying summer mantra. A glass of the pink drink reminded us that despite all the madness, we can occasionally view the world with rose-colored glasses. So, why not close out the year with a sparkling glass of rosé? Anne Amie’s Marilyn Brut Rosé is all Pinot Noir, bearing flavors of red fruits, citrus and light spice with a long, lush finish. If you can’t get enough, the Willamette Valley winery is hosting the fourth annual Bubble Fest — its own sparkling wine-only festival — in February 2018.
