You gotta have bubbles this time of year! Al shares some of his favorites.
Budget: St. Hillaire Blanquette de Limoux '15 *1/2 $12
(Earliest sparkling wine in France)
Pure Fun: Old Westminster "Petillant Naturel" ** $40
(Peasant-style bubbly, informal and wildly delicious)
Something nice from California: Domaine Chandon "Etoile" Brut **1/2 $30
(All three traditional Champagne grapes in an elegant blend)
Prosecco: Zardetto *1/2 $12
(Cheap, lively, take two to a party)
Cava: Juve y Camps "Xarel Lo" "Essential" *1/2 $13
(Intriguing single variety cava)
Crémant d'Alsace: Sipp-Mack Crémant *** $28
(Drinks like a blanc de blancs from Champagne)
Rosé: Schramsberg California Brut Rosé *** $42
(Classic producer, classic rosé bubbly)
Blanc de Noirs: Schramsberg Blanc de Noirs *** $40
(Big powerful sparkler)
Great Value in Champagne: Pommery Brut Royale *** $35
(Classy producer, great price in standard brut)
Sweeter bubbly: Ca del Ré Moscato d'Asti *1/2 $16
(Grandmothers love this wine)
Big Splurge: Pol Roget Vintage 2008 ***1/2 $110
(Winston Chruchill won the war with Pol Roger)