Sparkling wine has long carried the image of being exclusively for holiday celebrations. It’s part of the tradition and a great way to add to the intensity of these festivities. Spring and summer are a great time to socialize. Being able to barbecue and entertain outside makes things easier. Sparkling wines offer wonderful characteristics that make them suitable for all seasons. After all life is a celebration.
The Perfect Wine Cellar
The absence of sparkling wines is one of the most classic wine cellar flaws we see. Think of it as an investment: diversification is key to building a perfect wine cellar.
- Add some sparkling wine for short term drinking: Brut Rosé, Blanc de Blancs and Blanc de Noirs.
- Start an aging program. Blanc de Blancs in both 750 ml and magnums are perfect for this. If you enjoy the nutty/yeasty character of sparkling wine, add some Blanc de Noirs as well. These two wines, can age for 20 years of more and reward you with a lot of drinking pleasure.
- Start a vertical collection (consecutive vintages) of our signature wines: J. Schram and Reserve. These wines are spectacular after 10 years of cellaring and continue to get better. We will be glad to have them for special anniversaries and celebrations.
- Have a few large formats on hand for parties of six and up. Magnums, 3 liter bottles and 9 liter bottles really set the tone of a party.
- Stock up on the children’s birth years and anniversary years. Sparkling wine is protected by its acidity and CO2, so it typically ages a lot more gracefully that people expect.
A Toast to the Bride and Groom
We get many phone calls from brides-to-be seeking wine advice for their special day. Whenever a toast or cake cutting is mentioned, we recommend our Crémant Demi-sec. Couples might shy away from a sweet wine but there is a reason for the specific food pairing. Sugar, nullifies sugar and a wine with a delicate sweetness will taste dry when “married” with a sweeter fare. A dry wine served with something sweet will taste angular, thin and overly lemony. This combination will also make a cake taste too sweet and unappealing. While taste testing your wedding cake flavors, have a bottle on hand for comparison, this will help you narrow down the flavor profile you are looking for.
How much sparkling wine do you need for a wedding?
If you plan on serving sparkling wine for your toast we recommend having 6-12 bottles per 100 people in attendance. Some of your guests will already have a beverage in hand to use and others will be thrilled to have a glass of bubbly! Regardless of what they’re drinking, they’ll be happy to toast to your future together.