Tag Archives: Sparkling Wine

Loving those fizzy Italian reds

Posted on February 20, 2023 by Dave McIntyre

Back in the mid-70s, I remember my mother would sometimes keep a jug of Riunite in the door of the fridge. We were not a drinking family — my father was a health nut, into fitness and exercise (a frequent … Continue reading →

Posted in Italy, Sparkling Wine, Wine | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Relieve Some Pressure: Pop a Cork!

Posted on December 29, 2014 by Dave McIntyre

Opening a bottle of Champagne relieves pressure — both on the bottle and on the drinker. Those bubbles that mark life’s celebrations are really mood-altering drugs. Continue reading →

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##WW More Holiday Bubbly and Some Celebratory Reds

Posted on December 17, 2014 by Dave McIntyre

In the spirit of “Wine Wednesday,” here are recommendations for some fine bubbly and two delicious red wines to help celebrate the holidays. These were published December 10 in The Washington Post, with lists of stores in the DMV that carry … Continue reading →

Posted in Cava, Champagne, Holidays, Wine | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

#TBT: Not All Festive Fizz Comes from You-Know-Where

Posted on December 11, 2014 by Dave McIntyre

To call other sparkling wines “champagne” is unfair, not only to champagne producers, which try to protect the brand, but also to the wide range of bubblies from around the world that have their own character and identity. Continue reading →

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Bargain Bubbly: Kila Cava lives up to its name

Posted on December 6, 2011 by Dave McIntyre

In the bargain bubbly category, it’s hard to beat Cava, Spain’s answer to Champagne. I’ve tasted many of these over the years and rarely have I found one I didn’t like. To paraphrase Animal Farm, “All Cavas are good. Some … Continue reading →

Posted in Bargain Wines, Spain, Sparkling Wine, Wine | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Sneak Preview Wine of the Week: This year’s best bargain bubbly

Posted on December 4, 2011 by Dave McIntyre

Let’s face it – there’s nothing like Champagne, but Champagne is expensive. Sometimes we want the celebration of bubbles without the expense. Luckily, there are any number of tasty, inexpensive sparkling wines made around the world that can serve the … Continue reading →

Posted in Bargain Wines, Champagne, Cheap Wine, Sparkling Wine, Wine | Tagged , | 3 Comments

A Bouquet of Rosés for Valentines Day

Posted on February 10, 2010 by

Throughout the Mid-Atlantic, folks are probably celebrating a prolonged Valentines Day – curling up with their loved ones to stay warm after hours outside shoveling snow. There may not be an opportunity to get to a flower shop for the … Continue reading →

Posted in Champagne, Rosé, Sparkling Wine, Washington Post, Wine | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Sweet Endings for 2009

Posted on December 30, 2009 by

Earlier this month I wrote two columns for The Washington Post recommending sparkling wines for the holidays – one on wines above $30, the other for more budget-conscious revelers. All the wines were dry. That led one frustrated reader to … Continue reading →

Posted in Champagne, France, Italy, Spain, Sparkling Wine, Washington Post, Weblogs, Wine | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Champagne Outside the Envelope

Posted on December 9, 2009 by

Champagne is too expensive to be an everyday tipple, much as many of us might want to enjoy it on a daily basis. Rather, ít’s a special occasion wine, and this often leads us to rely on familiar brand names … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Champagne, New Zealand, Sparkling Wine, Washington Post | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Willm Cremant d’Alsace Cuvée Leon IX, $16

Posted on December 8, 2009 by

What a wonderful value in a sparkling wine! Crémant d’Alsace doesn’t give the complexity or richness of Champagne (or the sticker shock, of course), but this example from Willm is top-notch, with great balance and a core of red fruit … Continue reading →

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