Tiny Bubbles!

Whether you can't wait to kick 2011 to the curb or you're sorry to say goodbye, we can all welcome the New Year with hope, optimism, and a glass of sparkling wine.  Sparkling wine, and Champagne in particular, has been a tradition on New Year's Eve for longer than you might think.  According to Kolleen Guy, author of "When Champagne Became French," the tradition of drinking Champagne to mark the New Year celebration originated in the royal courts of Europe before 1789, and it used to be much sweeter than it is today.  The English preferred the drier style that we now associate with fine Champagne, and their buying power ultimately won out.  We're glad it all worked out because we like Champagne just the way it is!

This weekend, we are offering a wide range of choices to help ring in the New Year right, with some downright festive pricing too!  Here are three of our favorites.

Jacques Lassaigne Blanc de Blanc Champagne ($52.99) this weekend $49.99

If the year has been good to you and you're feeling flush, this a great choice to celebrate with. The soils in Montgueux where this comes from are primarily limestone – the perfect material for good Champagne. This one is lovely and complex with a hint of sherry and croissant on the nose, crisp minerality and a lingering finish that goes on and on.  Our friend Nick, from importer Jenny & Francois, will be in the store on Saturday to pour some for you and answer all of your questions about this beauty.

Gruet Blanc de Noir ($16.99) this weekend, $14.99

Closer to home, the Gruet family moved to New Mexico 25 years ago from the Champagne region in France, finding it an ideal climate to make sparkling wine.  This shows lemon and lime tang, with a touch of creaminess.  It's crisp, dry and one of the best sparkling wines made in America.

Colle Moro Sparkling Pecorino ($14.99), this weekend, $12.99

If you're in the mood to try something different, This sparkling Pecorino is a lovely, gently sparkling wine from the Abruzzo region of Italy.  Quite rich with white peach on the nose, the palate has some nutty, caramel notes but finishes dry with moderate acid and alcohol.  This is an intriguing wine to be sure, an excellent alternative to Prosecco and a terrific value.  Please check out the video about this wine here.

We will be open 12pm-10pm on New Year's Eve and 12pm-8pm on New Year's Day.  We look forward to seeing you in 2012!

Cheers!