Birthdays require bubbles! And as the United States celebrates her 248th I’ve got the sparkling red, white and rosé you need to toast with this 4th of July.
Red Bubbles
I fell in love with the Piedmont region of Italy after spending some time tasting there in 2021. I also enjoy trying new things and this Banfi Rosa Regale Sparkling Red is that. The bubbles are made from 100 percent Brachetto d’Acqui. This grape is native to Piedmont, and vintners make both still and fizzy red from it.
The Rosa Regale is a very aromatic and light-bodied wine made using the Charmat method. The pretty wine bursts with flavors of strawberries and raspberries. It’s definitely on the sweeter side making it a good apertif or pairing with a chocolate dessert at your 4th of July picnic. I’d almost liken it to a red Moscato d’Asti. With only 7 percent alcohol it’s an easy drinker and perfect for those who like to consume lower-alcohol wines, or are like me contending with 115-degree summer heat and don’t want anything heavy.
Visit the Winery: If you’re heading to Italy, you can visit the Banfi winery in Montalcino Tuscany. The 7,000 acre estate is stunning, and a variety of tours are available. One of the most affordable 5-star hotels in the area is La Bagnaia Golf Resort.
White Bubbles
Brut Champagne might be the classic for celebrations, but this 4th of July Washington State’s Tirriddis M.V. Blanc de Blanc R. 4 from the Columbia Valley should be in your glass. The bubbles are traditional, reminiscent of Champagne with notes of lemon, citrus and a finish of a just-baked French boulangerie confection.
Visit the Winery: Tirriddis is located in Prosser Washington in the Yakima Valley. The winery is focused solely on sparkling wine and its name is a combination of Tirage, Riddle and Disgorge. It was founded by three friends, Andrew Gerow, Gabriel Crowell and Matthew Doutney, who all graduated from Washington State University’s Viticulture and Enology Program. Lodging in the area is predominantly three-star chain hotels, but the Cozy Rose Inn provides a more charming option.
Rosé Bubbles
It makes sense to celebrate the 4th of July with a sparkling bottle from America’s preeminent wine region- Napa. The 2021 Robert Mondavi Sparkling Rosé is a surprising blend. The wine is 76 percent Muscadet, but then blends in 13 percent Malbec from the famed To Kalon vineyard and 11 percent Pinot Noir from Stanley Ranch in Carneros. On the nose, I got hints of cranberry and summer red berries. The bubbles have zesty acidity and flavors of stone fruit and citrus.
Visit the Winery: Robert Mondavi just opened a new tasting room, Arch & Tower in Napa. I had a chance to check it out earlier this year and the views from the top floor are as great as the wines. My favorite downtown Napa hotels are the Andaz Napa and the Archer.
If you’re looking for bubbles that are organic, vegan and without unnecessary additives, Avaline Cava is sure to meet the needs of your pickiest picnickers. The clean wine brand launched by Cameron Diaz and Katherine Power makes drinking wine seem like a wellness activity.
The limited-edition sparkling rosé is made from a unique combination of Xarel.lo, Macabeo and Grenache grapes. The Xarel.lo adds a zippy acidity to the blend, the Macabeo gives the wine its light floral notes and the Grenache bring the red berry fruit notes we expect from rosé.
Visit the Winery: Avaline is a direct-to-consumer subscription brand that works with a variety of producers so there isn’t a specific winery to tour.
No matter what color you choose, bubbles are the most versatile wine. So raise a glass of sparkling wine with your picnic, at your pool party or while watching the firework show this 4th of July.
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