While each New Year’s Eve beckons a whole new year, there are a handful of things that remain consistent during that inevitable midnight countdown: good company, great memories and even better bubbles. Oh, and lots of glitter. But we’re more concerned with the bubbles here in this list of 10 sparklers to pop a top on.
Refer to this list of some of the Northwest’s best sparkling wines (in no particular order other than alphabetical), from the more unknown to a few classics from the region. Whether crafted from Riesling to Pinot Noir or Gewurztraminer, your taste buds will want to get acquainted with these wines this New Year’s Eve and provide that extra zing you need to ring in 2016.
Analemma Wines || 2011 Atavus Blanc de Noir || $56
Crafted with whole cluster pressed Pinot Noir, the vibrant sipper is rich with history from nearly 50-year-old Columbia Gorge vines, featuring fresh pear, green apples and tart strawberries.
Anne Amie Vineyards || 2011 Marilyn Brut Rose || $45
Made with 100 percent Chehalem Mountains Pinot Noir from this stunning hillside estate, the rosy Oregon sparkler is sweet in aromas of cardamom and red velvet cake opening up to bring forward cherry and sugar cookies with a hint of lime.
Apolloni Vineyards || NV Sparkling Pinot Blanc || $29
Floral aromas give way to succulent apricot in this sparkling Willamette Valley wine crafted from Pinot Blanc by this Italian-inspired, authentically Oregon winery. Velvety and creamy texture meshes with zippy bubbles to create the perfect NYE hybrid.
Argyle Winery || 2011 Black Brut || $35
Red wine fans, we know you’re tempted to skirt the bubbles and stay in your ruby-hued comfort zone this year, but this Dundee, Oregon-based brut bridges the gap between Pinot Noir and bubbly black cherry bliss, brought to you by the winery with more accolades than any other in the state.
Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars || 2011 Blanc de Blancs || $40
Straight out of the south side of British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley, this silky sipper is made in the methode traditionnelle style (with secondary fermentation occurring in the bottle to creative the bubbles), providing the chilly New Year’s Eve palate with toasty aromas and a surprising lemon finish.
Castillo de Feliciana || 2013 Brillante || $30
This sparkling Chardonnay from the Walla Walla winery is crisp and dry with Spanish-style flair. Sold exclusively at the winery (with an additional tasting room in Woodinville, Washington), you’ll be kicking off 2016 with nothing less than a smile with aromas of citrus rind, spice and brioche bread.
Coiled Wines || 2014 Rizza || $28
Made strictly from Riesling, this sparkling wine is the first in Idaho to be made in the labor intensive méthode champenoise. The sweet Snake River Valley sipper made by this Garden City, Idaho winery gets its nickname from Australia and offers befitting tropical aromas and tiny bubbles.
Coeur de Terre Vineyard || 2011 Sparkling Riesling Brut Sekt || $45
Produced in the German dry sekt style with some of the oldest Riesling vines in Yamhill County, this sparkling wine is full with notes of Granny Smith apple, pear and touches of clove. This is the first sparkling wine from this family-run estate and was a very small batch run for the inaugural release.
Syncline Winery || NV Brut Rose Scintillation || $30
This pale pink bubbly blends Pinot Noir and Chardonnay for a bright yet balanced fruit-forward palate of passion fruit, guava and strawberry. Pop the top for a tropical stay-cation with this Columbia Gorge winery best known for its Rhône-inspired blends.
Treveri Cellars || NV Sparkling Gewürztraminer || $17
Veer off the classic party path with a sparkling version of the German varietal. The Yakima Valley-based sparkler, aptly named for its spicy character, is rich with allspice, nutmeg and clove, plus the unexpected addition of lychee jelly.
