Wine Time! New Year Sparklers

It seems like most people see sparkling wine and Champagne as special occasion choices.  Cousin Trudie is divorcing that hairy guy with the bad teeth... You just made the last payment on the VW bus...  Your bangs finally grew out and it has been almost a week since someone mistook you for Bjork.

Newfangleddad and I drink sparkling wine often, once a month or so.  That isn't to say we don't splurge for special occasions, however, there are plenty of affordable sparkling wines available for everyday consumption.

At the suggestion of Rave Wines we picked up Gruet Brut.  It was quite crisp and the bubbles were a delight.  I can honestly say I believe it is my first ever wine from New Mexico.  It was a teeny-tiny bit more than I would ordinarily pay for an "everyday" sparkling wine, however it was clean and had a nice finish.  I found it to be worth the price tag.

Name - Gruet Brut

Purchased - Rave Wines

Actual Cost - 17.00 + tax

Price Range - 13.75 to 17.99

On a whim I picked up a random bottle of Mumm Napa Cuvee M.  It.  Makes.  Me.  Happy.  It is slightly sweet and definitely tastes of fruit, there is a hint of bread as well.  Have it with something spicy for a delicious, sweet, treat.  It was rated at 87 points by Wine Enthusiast and is definitely worth the price, especially if you can score it on sale.

Name - Mumm Napa Cuvee M

Purchased - Jewel-Osco

Actual Cost - 16.99 + tax

Price Range - 16.99 to 20.00

Whether you're celebrating posting bail, or you're having a quiet New Year's Eve at home over a game of Scrabble have a glass of something... sparkling.

Wine Time! Presto Prosecco Brut

I've never met an alcohol I didn't like.  Okay, that isn't entirely true.  I'm not really on speaking terms with Southern Comfort due to a rough introduction on my 21st birthday.  That lapse in judgement aside I generally enjoy an adult beverage.

This recurring segment (Wine Time!) will be a few notes on the wine, beer and cocktails that grace my glassware.  don't expect haughty reviews; Newfangleddad and I are living on the cheap these days as we are supporting two smallish humans and one giant dog.  Life is expensive, but that doesn't mean that I want to forego my enjoyments.  So, be expecting wine and beer that is affordable (generally $15 or less) and readily available.

I'm taking the easy way out this week, as the combination of sleep deprivation and corporate America have squashed my get-up-and-go.

Name - Presto Prosecco Brut

Purchased - Whole Foods

Actual Cost - 9.99 + tax

Price Range - 8.99 (on sale) to 12.99

Sparkly and crisp.  The price makes it enjoyable anytime - no occasion required.  We were pretending it was summer with a light dinner of mozzarella, tomato and basil sandwiches on ciabatta baguette.  This would be a great summer wine for an evening on the porch, or perfect for mimosas at brunch...  I wouldn't wax poetic about it, but it tickled my nose, was $10 bucks and I could pick it up at the grocery store on the way home.  Win, win, win.