All about champagne

The other night I attended a bona fide champagne tasting. There was a group of about 16 ladies, and we sat around a huge table eating delectable hors d'oeuvres as we sampled and learned about sparkling bubblies. It was a blast.

I learned lots of interesting things, mainly that sparkling wine can be very delicious.

Here is a list of the wines that were served, along with recommended food pairings. Our wine instructor was Erin Palmer of The Wine Cellar. She was funny and very smart about wines. I’d take another class from her in a heartbeat if given the chance. In the mean time I might have to settle for a visit to her shop.

Domaine St. Vincent Brut/Cava

A soft and lovely wine with bright bubbles and a slight citrus undertone. Enjoy this wine with light appetizers or as a mixer with guava or mango puree.

Adami Prosecco

This creamy and off-dry wine is so refreshing and lovely. The creaminess means that it’s really charming without any food; a bit of a lemon-chiffon feel in the mouth. Serve with seafood or fresh summer berries.

J Cuvee Brut 20

The J Cuvee is a wonderful “daily drinker”. The notes of lemon and crisp green apple make this refreshing as a sipper, yet perfect for pairing. Enjoy with a soft white cheese, turkey or salmon, and take it all the way into dessert with milk chocolate and peanut butter.

Mumm Brut

The French (and original) version of the J Cuvee, this wine is more yeasty and bitter. Those flavors make it even better for pairing with foods drenched in butter; think scallops or crab, stuffed mushrooms, or buttered steak.

Vitteaut Alberti Rose Brut

This French rose is a true delight. With slightly more structure than the standard white brut, you’ll find that little extra weight to the wine allows it to stand up to more intensely flavored foods, like sautéed mushrooms, steak with gravy, or dark chocolates.

Saracco Moscato D’Asti

This low in alcohol, high in flavor, super fun wine is a must have for all houses. The light bubbles and bright apple flavors pair well with seasonal fruits like berries and mango, as well as salami, stinky cheeses and gourmet breads.

My favorites from this list are the Adami Prosecco, J Cuvee Brut 20, and Saracco Moscato D’Asti.