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Clark's Review
Mionetto Prosecco Brut
Treviso, Italy
$14.99

This Prosecco is extremely light golden, almost clear. Less effervescent than traditional champagnes, it displays a nice bead of tiny bubbles. Unlike most proseccos I've tasted, this has a definite mineral note. The nose is slightly toasty with a burst of apple aromas. The finish is lemony, very clean and totally dry. Overall this prosecco is lighter and more elegant than most. Would make a great aperitif or a nice compliment to fried chicken and spicy cuisine.

Tom's Review
2006 Domaine Carneros Brut
$27.99

Produced entirely from grapes grown in California's first AVA (American Viticultural Appellation) determined by climatic conditions rather than along political lines, Taittinger's entry into the California sparkling wine market in 1987 has been a resounding success. With 138 acres in the heart of the Carneros region, the growing conditions strike a perfect balance between the chill of the Champagne district and the relative warmth of Burgundy, making for superb conditions to grow the high quality Pinot Noir and Chardonnay used to produce their lineup of sparkling wines. Even more interesting is the fact that the vineyards are managed organically, with no pesticides ever having been used, even before attaining Organic Certification. Natural fertilizers have replaced inorganic ones in the vineyards since the mid-90s. Still, organic production does not inherently make a wine better, there being no substitute for the quality of the wine in the bottle. The vintage-dated Brut is bottle aged for three years prior to release. The flavors and mouthfeel are all one hopes for from a California sparkler: crisp entry with a frothy explosion of mousse, followed by subtle pear and white fruit flavors, rounded out with a touch of crackery yeastiness. A very worthy wine to present to European friends to show how tasty a domestic bubbly can be.

The Brut may cost a few dollars more than some of its competitors in this general price bracket, but if you are in search of a delicious bottle of bubbly to celebrate the season, and organic to boot, you will not be disappointed in Domaine Carneros!

For a festive New Year's Eve twist, you may consider fashioning a Lava Lamp. The recipe calls for 1 oz. of Pama pomegranate liqueur (or 3 Tbl. pomegranate juice), 5 oz. of Domaine Carneros Brut, and 3 pomegranate seeds (called arils for the botanists amongst you). Add the pomegranate liqueur to a tall Champagne flute (not a shallow Champagne saucer), pour in the wine, then drop in the arils. The arils will rise and fall in the bubbles, giving a lava lamp effect. Cheers!

Joe's Review

Chandon Brut Cuvee
$16.99

Chandon Brut is a nice domestic bottle of bubbles at a good price. Crisp and dry, Chandon is quite tasty with delicious apple and pear favors that jump out of the glass. If you are looking for a bottle to enjoy during the holidays give it a try.

Todd's Review

Gruet Brut
$13.99

Recent years have seen this dry bubbly from New Mexico become a mainstay for budget-minded shoppers in search of flavor. Apple and pear flavors coat the tongue, before giving way to crisp bread-laden notes on the finish. This is the perfect holiday sparkling for office parties, affordable gifts, or mid-day mimosas to escape the blather of annoying relatives. Come on down!

Travis' Review

Vega Barcelona Cava
$14.99

Vega Barcelona Cava is an extremely dry Spanish brut with a bubbly finish. This sparkling wine has bold flavor and a fruity finish. I would suggest however, to let it sit about 5-10 minutes after opening to avoid excessive carbonation. In addition, according to the label, Vega Barcelona is an ideal aperitif, which I don't need to tell you is heaps of fun to say aloud!

Matt's Review

Piper Sonoma Brut
$13.99

My car was recently broken into. The perpetrator(s) took several items of moderate value to me. However, one of possessions not taken was a bottle of Piper Sonoma Brut. This was an error on the part of the thief. Though the bottle is inexpensive, Piper Sonoma Brut is crisp, clean, and perfect for everyday champagne consumption. If I had filed a police report, I would have described the trespasser(s) as individual(s) who have illegally entered a vehicle at least once, have a preference for Trident white chewing gum, and are not well versed in sparkling white wines. I doubt this would have led to their capture and prosecution, but their reluctance to try Piper Sonoma Brut is troubling as this wine is a great value. This bottle is perfect for almost any occasion whether it be your daughter's wedding or kindergarten cop starring Arnold Schwarzenegger is on basic cable tonight. This being said, please do not attempt to steal this bottle.

Gary's Review

Gloria Ferrer Sonoma Brut
$19.99

Sparkling wine is remarkable! Dinner was leftovers, O.T.B.'s avocado enchiladas, black beans and rice. Accompanied it with Gloria Ferrer' sparkling Sonoma Brut, it couldn't have been more perfect. Why? Because its acidity, dryness, and clean, bright taste refreshes the palate. It leaves one noticing how good the enchiladas taste with wine, and then how good the wine's finish tastes. Overall it was scrumptious and the bottle did not last more than five minutes! For several years now, Gloria Ferrer has been a favorite at the venerable Ranch Acres Wine Shop. Add it to your holiday "things to do" list. Buy Gloria Ferrer's Sonoma Brut.

Doug's Review

Mumm Napa Brut Prestige Sparkling Wine
$21.49

The wine pours with great fine bubbles that last and last in its golden hue. Delightful flavors of toasty pear and apple are featured on an abundant frame. The moderate finish picks up a bright citrus aspect that makes you crave the next sip. Brut Prestige's high-powered effervescence would make any party more fun. With its substantial body, it may be even better suited to the dinner table. Considering the quality you get here, it is a great value. Keep two or three bottles of this on hand and celebrate in style all year round.

Mary's Review

Roederer Estate Brut NV
Anderson Valley, California
$24.69

Pale gold with just the right amount of tiny bubbles. Ripe pear and toastiness on the nose. Wheat, spice and lemon all rolled up into one. Really good.

Brew News

A Smokestack series sampler is in from Boulevard, offering a logo glass and a bottle each of Sixth Sense, Double Wide, Tank Seven and Dark Truth. Boulevard has also released a new brew to their fine Smokestack lineup, a Belgian-style Dubbel named Nommo. Winter Warmers have hit the floor and are rapidly beginning to disappear. A couple of recent entries to our market, most notably Widmer and Redhook, have seasonals in the aisles, BRRR! and Winterhook, respectively. You list keepers will want to grab those, as well as the Sam Adams Winter Classics 12 pack, which sports a new addition, Black and Brew, to go along with perennial favorites Holiday Porter and Old Fezziwig. Lindemann's has a nice 2 pack of Framboise and Pomme framing that stylish Lindemann's flute. Erdinger celebrates their 125th anniversary with gift packs that include five half-liter bottles of Weißbier with one of those hard-to-find Bavarian wheat beer glasses. Stella Artois has reissued their 750ml bottle of that local favorite for the holidays. Marshall's El Cucuy Black India Ale has arrived, and Old Jamoke Robust Porter is now available in six packs. Some of the biggest news to hit lately has been the arrival of some of the Shelton Brothers portfolio, including a few from gypsy brewer Mikkel Borg Bjergsø of Mikkeller fame. His offerings at the moment are the spicy Santa's Little Helper, the sour ale It's Alive, and Koppi, a coffee IPA made with Tomahawk hops and Guji Natural Ethiopian coffee beans. Another Scandinavian brewery is represented by a pair of brews from Norway's Nøgne, with #500 Imperial IPA and Ø Imperial Stout begging to be sampled. Nøgne and Mikkeller have been chase beers for most of us and are exciting additions to the inventory! Another reissued beer has made it in, Courage Russian Imperial Stout, brewed by one of the original brewers now working at Wells and Young. Rounding out the new entries are some beers for the naughty boys on your Christmas list, Ridgeway's Bad Elf and Lump of Coal, a nice, toasty stout.

Beers to you!

--Tom Clark