New York – Champagne, Bubbly, Gracing Jewish Holiday Tables In Style For Rosh Hashana

New York – Rosé wines have been all over the news these past 5 years and even more so during the hot season. Sparkling wines however is definitely a category that is not getting the love it truly deserves. We do not talk enough about bubbly and we certainly do not drink enough of it either. A shame, as besides being fun and festive, sparkling wines, including Champagne, Cava, Prosecco AND Moscato are probably the most food-friendly wines out there.

First of all, when looking for a wine to pair with a meal, some people look and wonder for hours whether to choose a Merlot, a Petite Sirah, Syrah or a Cabernet Sauvignon or maybe a Chardonnay. The solution for those who cannot make up their mind is simple yet oh, so rewarding: bubbly.

Dry sparkling wines can match almost anything salty and/or savory. Whether it is a veal roast, a chicken casserole, a pan-seared halibut, spaghetti all’arrabbiata or steamed garden vegetables, when searching for the one type of wine that will work with all of that fare then bubbly is the answer.

Sparkling wines are not necessarily from Champagne but these are certainly the most famous and prestigious ones of the category.

Champagne is considered by many as THE glamorous wine par excellence. The whole experience with drinking Champagne and other Champagne Method wines is designed to give the drinker a sensation of luxury. The shape of the bottle, the fancy label and the foil, the entire package is making a statement: You are in for a special treat. The glass in which Champagne is typically served is no less special and original, it is called a flute. The long, narrow shape of the flute allows for a better and longer preservation of the bubbles which often look like they dance while ascending from the bottom of the glass.

Drappier is one of the most famous and ancient Champagne houses. General Charles de Gaulle and his wife Yvonne made it into the official Champagne of the Elysée Palace after de Gaulle was elected to be the first President of France’s Fifth Republic, in 1958. They produce kosher runs of both their Carte Blanche and Carte d’Or offerings.

The Drappier Carte d’Or is a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, the latter being fermented as a blanc de noirs, meaning that only the juice (and not the grape’s skins which give the color to the wine) was used in the winemaking process. It has aromas and flavors of baked apples, pears, as well as hints of ginger and yeast which brings to mind the smell and taste of fresh bread. The precise, medium bubbles as well as the refreshing acidity turn it into a great pairing with all things deep fried and salty, and it will also accompany well about any meat or fish dishes, including sushi.

Now Moscato wines are also sparkling wines, some being just slightly frizzante while others have as big bubbles as Champagne or Prosecco.

Carmel winery in Israel has been making Moscato for quite some time, under the good old label “Moscato di Carmel”. With the 2016 vintage this is changing, and it is from now on part of the Selected series which is the quality entry-level offering from Israel’s largest winery. Lightly frizzante, with fun yet balanced bubbles, this is a pleasant wine with sweet and fruity flavors such as lemon, peach and apricot with good acidity. Neither thick, cloying nor high in alcohol, it is a nice quaffer to drink chilled and a really good match with a piece of sweet honey apple cake. Inexpensive, fun and simply delicious, Carmel prove again that they make quality wine at all price points.

Whether you like it fancy and sophisticated or sweet, inexpensive and fun, sparkling wines should be everyone’s natural choice to celebrate Rosh Hashana in style!

Gabriel Geller has joined Royal Wine Corp. after over 15 years of experience in the wine industry. Since 2008, Gabriel has been a freelance wine writer and critic for a variety of media outlets as well as a consultant to wineries, hotels, importers, distributors and wine shops throughout the world.