Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
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WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM 14 UCW DECEMBER 20-26, 2023 Pop, Fizz, Clink! Get ready to toast the New Year by SHEILA D. BARKER New Year's Eve is right around the corner. Whether you plan to host your own celebration or have received an invitation to attend someone else's party, we are here to provide you with our top recom- mendations for the best champagne options! e lovely ladies at e Sip Room have put together an excellent selection of champagne choices that cater to all tastes and budgets. Before we delve into the details, let's start with a brief introduction to Cham- pagne. What is Champagne? To be labeled as "champagne," a bottle of wine must be produced in the Champagne region of France and undergo the traditional fermenta- tion method to create carbonation. Champagne is primarily made from Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier grapes, although the specific grape varieties used in Champagne can differ. What is the best serving temperature for Cham- pagne? For optimal enjoyment, it is recommended to serve sparkling wines, such as Champagne, at a cool temperature ranging from 43 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. What type of glassware is ideal for serving Champagne? According to many profession- als, it is widely suggested that flute glasses are the optimal choice for serving sparkling wines. e prevail- ing belief is that the slender shape of the flute enhances the effervescence of the bubbles, enabling them to flow through a greater quantity of wine before reaching the top of the glass and releasing the delightful aromas of the wine. What is the proper way to safely open a bottle of Cham- pagne? Sparkling wine and Champagne are both under significant pressure when stored in bottles. e pressure is even greater in Champagne bottles compared to sparkling wine. Here is how to open your bottle safely: 1. Remove the foil and slightly loosen the wire cage. It is crucial to ensure that the cork remains firmly in position as soon as the wire cage is loosened. 2. Tilt the bottle, holding it at ap- proximately a 30-degree angle while gripping the cork. Use your other hand to grasp the base of the bottle. 3. Carefully stabilize the cork and gently remove it from the bottle. e aim is to release the gas pressure smoothly and quietly, preventing any sudden explosions or the cork flying off. And now the suggestions you've been waiting for! Best Brut Rosé: Jacquart Brute Rose e Brut Rosé is created by com- bining Chardonnay, Meunier, and Pinot Noir grapes that have been fermented as red wine. e Jacquart Brute Rose showcases aromatic hints of red berries (mature redcurrants, cherries, and wild strawberries) with underlying tones of plum, peach, and apricot. is particular Rose exem- plifies a refreshing and rich flavor profile, culminating in a delicate and satisfying conclusion. Best Blanc de Blancs: Perrier Jouet Blanc de Blancs Blanc de Blancs Champagnes are effervescent beverages produced ex- clusively from white wine grapes such as Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, and Pinot Blanc. e Perrier Jouet has a har- monious, intricate, and arid profile with refreshing acidity. It possesses a moderate body and a pleasingly prolonged aftertaste. On the palate, there is a gentle expression of grape- fruit, lemon, apple, pear, white peach, brioche, and mineral notes. Champagne on the Sweet Side: Laurent-Perrier Harmony Demi- Sec Demi Sec is a French wine expres- sion that translates to "half-dry". Demi-sec sparkling wines usually have a slight to moderate sweetness. If you prefer a slightly sweeter taste, consider trying a demi-sec instead of a brut. Laurent-Perrier offers the perfect level of sweetness to enjoy on its own or to complement rich dishes such as fried foods and cheese dishes. Best Champagne Under $50: An- dre Clouet Champagne Brut Grand Reserve NV Champagne is categorized based on its level of sweetness. e driest type is called Brut, derived from the French word meaning dry or raw. e Andre Clouet's finish of the fruit is rich with a chalky-mineral quality and refreshing in its salty finesse and elegant notes of yeast. e addition of lemon juice flavors adds an extra burst of invigorating taste. Best Splurge: Dom Pérignon Brut Champagne If you're looking to commemo- rate a truly extraordinary occasion, Dom Pérignon is the go-to choice. Renowned as one of the most iconic brands in the world of champagne, it offers a delicately balanced, light- bodied experience complemented by the subtle opulence derived from the Chardonnay grapes carefully selected for each annual vintage. Alternative Options for Champagne Worth Consider- ing Prosecco: An Italian sparkling wine, produced using the Prosecco grape variety, typically exhibits a greater emphasis on fruity and floral flavors. Due to its specific aging tech- niques, this wine tends to be sweeter and showcases lighter, less effer- vescent bubbles that do not linger as long as those found in authentic champagne. Recommendations: LaMarca, Bo- tegga and Mionetto Cava: A Spanish sparkling wine crafted from Macabeo grapes closely resembles champagne in terms of its production process. However, the use of different grape varieties results in a bubbly that is characterized by floral and fruity notes. Recommendations: Marques de Monistrol Brut Cava, Borrasca Rose Cava, and Conde De Caralt Semi- Seco Cava Make sure to visit e Sip Room for your celebration essentials. Situated on 106 Hay Street, e Sip Room is the perfect destination to find champagne, sparkling wine, and wine for the upcoming year or any special event. FEATURE SHEILA D. BARKER, Staff Writer. COM- MENTS? Editor@upandcomingweekly.com. 910-484-6200