The new year is almost here! And If anyone knows how to celebrate (with great booze) it’s sommelier and luxury experiential marketing entrepreneur Belinda Chang. A James Beard Award winner (and only BIPOC woman to win in the drinks category) she worked with industry legends Charlie Trotter and Danny Meyer before breaking out on her own to create unique experiences centered around food, drink and fun! Her virtual boozy brunches have garnered over 3 million views (and raised nearly a quarter of a million dollars in relief funds for the Covid-19-devastated hospitality industry) which goes to show there ain’t no party like a Belinda Chang party! With a personality as effervescent as the finest sparkling wines, we naturally tapped her for drink recommendations to toast the new year. Champagne (or sparkling wine), Chang tells us, is the drink for the job.
At this time of year as we contemplate all we have achieved (and quite frankly survived) while cheering to all that lies ahead, a drink that engages all of the senses is the perfect drink to clink.
“One of the most majestic and singular things about Champagne and sparkling wine is there is something for every sense there,” Chang says. From watching the bubbles be poured and perlage streaming through the glass, to the pop of the cork, and whoosh as the liquid fills your glass to the feel of an elegantly stemmed crystal coupe in your hands as you raise it to your nose to breath in the spectacular aromas (it smells like a French patisserie and what better smell is that!) before savoring the complexity of the champagne on your palate—it’s a truly sensory experience. “Every sense is engaged and you get to enjoy the champagne moment—it really is the no-brainer choice for a celebration and also for the holidays.”
“There are bubbles for all!” Chang proclaims. So even if champagne isn’t in your budget, there’s still a bubbly for you.
“There is pretty delicious sparkling wine from almost every wine-making region in the world,” she attests. To that end, Chang shares her top 5 bubbly recommendations to ring in the new year—or celebrate any time of the year.
Raventos i Blanc ‘De Nit’ Rosado Espumoso Conca del Riu de Arnoia: “My friend, Pepe Raventos, it is fair to say, continues to revolutionize sparkling wines from Spain, in particular in the cava region. And this rosé is delicious, festive and fit for the most discerning wine snob palate.”
Famille Perrin ‘La Vieille Ferme’ Reserve Brut: “The Perrin family of Chateau de Beaucastel fame (the Vieilles Vignes Roussanne is one of my favorite wines on earth) makes this cheerful and delicious sparkling wine that will please all of your friends and family at a very wallet-friendly price. Chardonnay drinkers rejoice!”
Salon Cuvee ‘S’ Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs Brut: “For many Champagne and sparkling wine lovers, including myself, this is the one. Made only in amazing years and from what I think are the happiest Chardonnay grapes on the planet, Salon Le Mesnil (aka Vitamin “S” or “Sally”) is the one for when money is no object and you are doing it for you.”
Une Femme Champagne: “I am all about girl power bubbly, so this trio of wines made by women winemakers and distributed by a woman-powered company is always in my wine cooler and I stock up extra during the holidays, too. Une Femme imports a champagne and they also offer a Piquette and a sparkling rosé from California that are yum.”
Illinois Sparkling Co Brut: “More than ever, this year has been about supporting local and small family businesses as much as possible, so this year, I will be drinking my local methode champenoise from the Illinois Sparkling Company with my family in Chicago. There is some pretty great sparkling made just about everywhere these days, so search out the little guy/gal in Sonoma, CA, Ithaca, NY, or wherever you are!”
