There’s no better way to celebrate December than with the effervescence of sparkling wine. Whether it’s the classic sophistication of Champagne or the lively fizz of a New World sparkling, bubbles bring joy to every occasion. Sparkling wines offer versatility for food pairings and unmatched elegance for festive toasts. This December, we’re highlighting exceptional sparklers that will elevate your celebrations—perfect for gifting, pairing, or enjoying as the clock strikes midnight, each with its own fizzy story to share!
47 Anno Domini Moscato IGT Veneto Frizzante
At the heart of Veneto’s mineral-rich, clay-heavy soils, 47 Anno Domini crafts wines with bold character and depth. Among their sparkling gems, the Moscato IGT Veneto Frizzante stands out as a true celebration of the region’s traditions. This sparkling white wine balances sweetness, acidity, and a hint of salinity, creating a harmonious experience. Delicate aromas of peach, apricot, and rose lead to an elegant, refreshing finish, making it a perfect choice for festive gatherings. While their Prosecco DOC highlights the heritage of frizzante and spumante styles, the Moscato’s vibrant and playful profile steals the spotlight for holiday toasts and dessert pairings alike.
Champagne Billecart-Salmon
Champagne Billecart-Salmon, founded in 1818 by Nicolas François Billecart and Elisabeth Salmon, epitomizes the artistry of French winemaking. With vineyards near Épernay in the Montagne de Reims, Vallée de la Marne, and Côte des Blancs, they craft exceptional champagnes from Grand Crus of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay. Perfect for holiday celebrations, their Brut Réserve is a light, elegant champagne with notes of white stone fruits and subtle biscuity aromas, while their Brut Rosé offers refined red berry flavors and floral finesse. The Sous Bois, vinified entirely in oak, delivers richness with layered notes of pastry, mocha, and bergamot, showcasing the house’s timeless mastery. These are the creme de la creme of our Champagne book and have a place every time you clink your glass. Other Billecart Champagnes available in North Carolina include:
- Billecart-Salmon Brut Réserve
- Billecart-Salmon Brut Rosé
- Billecart-Salmon Brut Sous Bois
Daniele Conterno Na Punta Extra Brut VSQ
Daniele Conterno’s Na Punta Sparkling Wine is a celebration of Langhe’s winemaking heritage and the Conterno family’s dedication to their craft. Made from Nebbiolo grapes, this Metodo Classico sparkler embodies elegance through a meticulous process: aging in wood barrels for six months followed by 40 months on the lees. The result is a luminous soft yellow wine with a fine, persistent effervescence. Its enticing aromas of apple, bread crust, and dried fruit are perfectly matched by a lively, well-structured palate with balanced acidity. Ideal as an aperitif, it also pairs beautifully with sushi, fish, white meats, and cheeses, offering a taste of Langhe’s rich tradition in every sip. A bottle of this will transport you to a holiday celebration in beautiful Italy.
Domaine Laurier Brut Sparkling
Domaine Laurier reimagines sparkling wine with a modern California sensibility, blending premium fruit from family-owned vineyards with time-honored winemaking techniques. Their Brut Sparkling, crafted through traditional bottle fermentation, offers a light toast and apricot aroma that complements its Chardonnay foundation. The result is a delicate golden wine with vibrant apple and vanilla flavors, finishing crisp and clean. Versatile and approachable, Domaine Laurier is perfect for any holiday party!
Honey Bubbles Sparkling Moscato
Honey Bubbles Sparkling Moscato is crafted with premium Muscat grapes from Asti and Veneto, showcasing a semi-sweet style with a balanced profile. A prolonged fermentation process reduces residual sugar while doubling the alcohol content compared to most Moscatos, creating an elevated sparkling wine. The palate bursts with vibrant mousse and notes of sweet citrus, tangerine, honey, peaches, white flowers, and a touch of orange zest on the finish. Perfect as an aperitif, it pairs beautifully with salads, soft cheeses, spicy dishes, or light fruit-based desserts. Plus, each bottle supports efforts to combat Colony Collapse Disorder in honey bees. A toast to sustainability and flavor!
Liquid Farm Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs
Liquid Farm’s Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs is a true reflection of the winery’s philosophy—celebrating the authentic nature of wine, where the liquid comes from the farmland. Sourced entirely from Grand Cru vineyards in Le Mesnil, Champagne, this 100% Chardonnay sparkling wine captures the essence of the region. Aged in a combination of neutral barrels and stainless steel, it presents a golden hue with fine bubbles and a rich, creamy mousse. The wine opens with a biscuity aroma, followed by layers of candied lemon peel, dried apricots, and poached pears, all of which continue on the palate. Bold and energetic, it finishes with a distinct crushed stone minerality, making it incredibly refreshing and hard to put down. We only got one case of this stunner by Jeff Nelson – grab a few bottles before it’s gone.
Louis de Grenelle Sparkling Chenin Blanc
Louis de Grenelle, one of the last remaining family-owned sparkling wine houses in Saumur, stores its wines in historic caves on the property that date back to World War II, many of which were used by the French resistance. The winery utilizes a blend of traditional winemaking techniques and modern advancements to craft wines that honor both history and innovation. Hand-harvested Chenin Blanc grapes are gently pressed and undergo precise fermentation to produce a sparkling wine with a radiant golden hue. The wine offers enticing aromas of ripe pear, honeyed citrus, and delicate floral notes, while the palate reveals a delightful balance of refreshing acidity and creamy texture. Louis de Grenelle’s Chenin Blanc pairs beautifully with seafood, creamy cheeses, or poultry. An unpretentious addition to any bubbles flight or by the glass list.
Champagne Philippe Fontaine
Champagne Philippe Fontaine, located in the Côte des Bar’s Balnot-sur-Laignes, is a family-owned estate. Philippe, along with his daughter Salomé and her husband Louis-Antoine, oversees the production of handcrafted, sustainably farmed Grower Champagne. The estate’s vineyards are primarily in the prestigious Les Riceys area. Their Cuvée des Lys Blanc de Blancs Brut is a rare 100% Pinot Blanc Champagne, known for its fresh, crisp, and elegant character with aromas of white flowers, exotic fruits, pear, cinnamon, and green almond. The palate is generous, with a luxurious swirl of tight perlage, and the finish deepens with ripe apricot and warm ginger notes, making it an ideal apéritif or a complement to seafood dishes, quiches, and fruit desserts. The Brut Rosé, made using the saignée method, offers earthy red and black fruit flavors with savory undertones and a tight, elegant perlage. This powerful yet graceful wine pairs beautifully with everything from strip steak to smoked salmon and holiday meals.
- Philippe Fontaine Champagne Brut Rosé
- Philippe Fontaine Champagne Cuvée des Lys Blanc de Blancs Brut
Scarpetta Wine
Scarpetta Wine celebrates the essence of Italian living, inspired by the founders’ love for the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region and its traditions of good wine, conversation, and savoring life’s moments. Named after the Italian practice of using a small piece of bread to soak up the last bit of sauce, Scarpetta embodies this sense of indulgence. Their Prosecco, crafted in the Grave del Friuli DOC, reflects the light, refreshing, and dry style the founders fell in love with years ago. Aromas of juicy melon, white flowers, and hazelnut lead to flavors of green apple and honeydew, perfect for pairing with chips, appetizers, or enjoying solo while dreaming of Venice. Their Timido, a sparkling rosé crafted from old-vine Pinot Nero grown in the foothills of the Friulian Dolomites, offers elegance with a playful twist—though it can’t officially be called a Prosecco Rosé, it’s undeniably delicious. Scarpetta also brings Northern Italy’s sparkling traditions to the modern table with canned Frico Frizzante and Lambrusco. Frizzante, a lively blend of Trebbiano, Glera, and Chardonnay, delivers crisp green apple and pear notes, while the vibrant Lambrusco balances sweetness with a tart finish, offering a fun, approachable take on Italian sparkling classics.
- Scarpetta Frico Frizzante
- Scarpetta Frico Lambrusco
- Scarpetta Prosecco Brut DOC
- Scarpetta Timido Rosé Vino Spumante Brut
The Diver Sparkling Wines
The Diver sparkling wines bring a sense of freedom and joy to the glass, embracing a philosophy that wine should be unbound by rigid traditions or appellations. By sourcing grapes based on quality and character rather than location, The Diver redefines sparkling wine with a focus on fun and deliciousness. Crafted in California using the Charmat method, these wines offer a soft, Prosecco-like texture, perfect for easy and enjoyable sipping. The Diver Brut features bright, fruit-forward notes of lemon custard, grapefruit, jasmine, and peaches, complemented by a delicate floral aroma and gentle bubbles. Meanwhile, The Diver Brut Rosé enchants with aromas of red berries and honeysuckle, leading to lively flavors of strawberry shortcake, cherry, and kiwi, balanced by a refreshing acidity. Both wines capture the playful spirit of California sparkling, designed for moments of celebration or simple pleasure.
- The Diver Brut
- The Diver Brut Rosé