Wednesday, December 9, 2015 |
Sacramento, CA
It’s the holiday season, so this month’s Kushman by the Bottle turns its focus to bubbly. On today’s Insight, Capital Public Radio’s resident wine expert and regular Insight guest host Rick Kushman joins us to explain how champagne may be good for memory and slowing the onset of Alzheimer’s. He also has advice for gifts and what kind of wine you should bring to parties.
Rick's Picks:
-
La Marca Proseco ($14-$15): This Italian sparkling is fresh, a little frothy, and seems a tiny but sweet because of the fruit. A crowd pleaser.
-
Korbel Blanc de Noirs. ($12-13) They have a bunch, the Blanc de Noirs is the best.
-
Domaine Chandon Brut Classic and Domaine Carneros Taittinger Brut (Both $15-20-ish): Both are vibrant and clean, and both have mouthful of fruit. Of the two, I’m a bigger fan of the Domaine Carneros Brut and its soft yeasty undertones.
-
Valdivieso Brut ($12-$16) A delicious Champagne-style bubbly from Chile. Nugget Markets carry it.
-
Roederer Estate Brut Anderson Valley ($20-22): Drinks very like a French Champagne, meaning it’s a bit lighter, and slightly more crisp than some other American bubblies. Goes with everything.
-
Sigura Viudas Brut Reserva Heredad ($20): Sigura Viudas is an easy-to-find Spanish bubbly called Cava and it has others that are good and even less expensive. This one is terrific, has a silver band on the bottom -- so it makes a great gift -- and it’s both crisp and rich.
-
Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs ($30): This is the top American-owned sparkling wine house and this wine is creamy and a bit yeasty but still bright.
-
Piper Heidsieck Champagne Brut ($34): Everything a genuine Champagne should be. It hits the sweet spot between the dry crispness of French sparklers and the richer fruit flavors Americans love.
