Valentine's BubblyA

TABLE Magazine’s wine expert Adam Knoerzer knows a thing or two about bubbles. In a whirl around the world, he suggests a few delicious vintages from diverse sources at equally diverse prices. Pick up a bottle to share with your loved one this Valentine’s Day!

Bérêche et Fils Rive Gauche Extra Brut NV (Champagne, France -- $75ish): A beautiful stunner that's made from 100% Pinot Meunier, which is something of a rarity in the region. Rich and toasty, for sure, but with plenty of crisp, honeyed apple notes to keep things fresh and alive.
Dr. Konstantin Frank Blanc de Blancs 2013 (Finger Lakes, NY -- $29.99 at PA Fine Wine & Good Spirits Stores): What a beautiful bargain on our shelves right now. Made in the same style as Champagne from 100% Chardonnay grapes, it's got piercingly refreshing bubbles that wash over your palate with flavors of pastry cream, lemons, and Granny Smith apples. It spends a minimum of 40 months aging in the estate's cellars before release, and it's as enjoyable today as it will be in another couple of years.
Graham Beck Brut Rosé NV (Western Cape, South Africa -- $20 or so): A blend of Pinot noir and Chardonnay, this copper-pink sparkler is big on flavor with a small enough price tag to enjoy regularly. Think tart strawberries and cream with a little bit of cherry and sea spray salinity.
Mollydooker Miss Molly Sparkling Shiraz 2017 (McLaren Vale, Australia -- $30): Oh, yes -- sparkling red wines can be fun, too, and this is a great example of the category. Barrel fermented and matured Shiraz undergoes a secondary fermentation to create lively bubbles that offset the rich, full-throated flavors of black plums, licorice, vanilla, and baking spices. LIke Christmas cake in liquid form, really.
Marenco Brachetto d'Acqui 'Pineto' 2019 (Piedmont, Italy -- $18.99): Looking for something a little sweet? This semi-sparkling red from Italy's Piedmont region will hit the spot with its aromas and flavors of rose petals and raspberries -- perfect to accompany all of those lovely chocolates that pop up this time of year. Vanilla gelato with fresh strawberries and a balsamic reduction will really make it sing, too.