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Special sparklings
© Baur au Lac Vins
From France and Germany to Austria and Portugal...these sparkling wine recommendations will appeal to the most discerning palate and are the perfect match for festive dishes – wherever you are in the world.
© Felix Groteloh
"Sparkling drinks are always a hit – especially during the festive season. They are particularly enjoyable when the recipients are surprised by something unfamiliar. They taste even better when there is a story behind them."
Wine+Partners recommendations
Nahe & Rheinhessen, Germany Adorning every celebration
Founded in 1219, the Prinz Salm winery is now in the hands of its 32nd generation, making it the oldest family-run winery in Germany. Today, it is managed by PRINCE FELIX OF SALM-SALM and his wife PRINCESS VICTORIA, who, together with their four children, shape the face of the family business. The history of this traditional house is reflected in ‘La Principessa’ Rosé VDP.Sekt Brut. The Pinot Noir grapes for this sparkling wine grow in the Rosengarten vineyard in Bingen, whose special terroir gives it its fine characteristics. After classic bottle fermentation and 44 months on the lees, this vintner's sparkling wine develops a seductive bouquet of cassis, wild berries, rose and elderflower. A fine brioche note rounds off the fragrant aroma. Light and carefree, it is accompanied by a gentle perlage that makes you want to reach for the next glass.
For those who want to enjoy the fizz without the alcohol, the Prinz Salm winery has developed an innovative product: Verjus Sparkling. "Our alcohol-free sparkling wine combines the natural freshness of verjus (green grapes) with tonic flavours and a gentle perlage. A light, delicately tart aperitif for anyone who wants to rethink enjoyment," says Prince Felix of Salm-Salm, piquing our curiosity.
Rheingau, Germany Sparkling works of art
VAUX l'Artiste marked the dawn of a new era in 2024. With its vinification and stylistics as well as its artistic presentation, the French-German sparkling wine producer, which was recently awarded the FairChoice seal, is breaking new ground. The second vintage also promises sparkling wine enjoyment of international calibre.
VAUX l'Artiste Brut 2018 is a sophisticated cuvée dominated by Riesling, with very French aromas and maturity. With aromas of fennel and apricot, it is yeasty yet firm on the palate. A sparkling wine that, thanks to its 48 months of ageing on the lees, is recommended as an accompaniment to food and declares itself to be Central European, spanning the bridge between Germany and France.
VAUX l'Artiste Rosé 2020 captivates with its tension between complexity, density and structure on the one hand, and a playful, finely balanced character on the other. The nose reveals nuances of delicate biscuit in beautiful harmony with subtle red fruit. On the palate, it offers the usual lively VAUX experience with great drinking pleasure and an incredible finish thanks to 48 months of ageing on the lees.
Nahe, Germany The time is ripe...
... for sparkling wine from Gut Hermannsberg. The specialists in mature Riesling also vinify sparkling wine of international calibre at their historic winery in Niederhausen. One of those is the 2018 Extra Brut Riesling Sekt Kupfergrube VDP.GROSSE LAGE. "Thanks to the long ageing on the lees of 60 months after the second fermentation, this sparkling wine has a fine creaminess that is unusual for Riesling. At the same time, it displays the typical complexity of the Kupfergrube vineyard," says cellar master KARSTEN PETER enthusiastically. This sparkling wine from the VDP.GROSSE LAGE Kupferberg stands for longevity. Vinous predicts it has storage potential until 2050 and awards it 94 points.
A limited number of bottles of this exceptional sparkling wine were available at the VDP wine auction on 9 November.
West Styria, Austria Grand entrance
With its Große Reserve Stainz 2019, Langmann Winery impressively demonstrates the depth and elegance that western Styria can deliver. The cuvée of Pinot Blanc and Chardonnay matured on the lees for a full 60 months – almost twice as long as required for the Grosse Reserve category. This maturation period gives the sparkling wine its creamy texture, fine perlage and a complex interplay of aromas between ripe fruit, brioche and cool minerality. On the palate, it is precise and silky at the same time – a sparkling wine that shows greatness in its calmness. Perfect as an accompaniment to fine fish such as trout or dishes with delicate lemon or truffle notes.
Langmann Winery in Stainz is considered a pioneer in producing high-quality Schilcher sparkling wines. Verena and Stefan Langmann are the sixth generation to run the business and are committed to uncompromising craftsmanship: from hand harvesting to riddling and disgorging, every step takes place at the winery itself. This complete control over the production process, coupled with patience and a clear sense of origin, characterises the unmistakable style of their sparkling wines – pure, elegant and authentically Styrian.
Leithaberg, Austria Bubbly Blaufränkisch
With its distinctive acidity, the Blaufränkisch grape variety seems predestined for sparkling wines, yet they are a rarity. With a complete quality pyramid consisting of Grosse Reserve Blanc de Noir Brut Nature 2019, Reserve Rosé Brut 2020 and Brut NV, Esterházy shows how multifaceted Blaufränkisch can be as a sparkling wine. The secret lies in its origin. The grapes come from organically farmed vineyards around Grosshöflein, where black soil and Leitha limestone meet, giving the wines both power and elegance.
Elsace, France Organic & dynamic
The Crémant d'Alsace Célébration 2020 from Domaine Amélie & Charles Sparr represents the modern, dynamic side of Alsace. As a vintage Crémant, it bears the signature of a young, innovative winemaking couple who consistently cultivate their vineyard using biodynamic methods.
After 43 months of yeast storage – significantly longer than the prescribed nine months – this Crémant impresses with its finesse and complexity. With notes of ripe apples, white flowers and delicate brioche on the nose, it captivates the palate with its elegance, freshness and creamy perlage.
This Crémant exemplifies the modern, quality-oriented style of Amélie & Charles Sparr and reflects the potential of biodynamically produced sparkling wines from Alsace.
Alentejo, Portugal Cool breeze in pink
CATARINA VIEIRA and PEDRO RIBEIRO are considered a power couple in Portugal's wine scene. Rocim stands for modern viticulture with a clear focus on the future. This includes a commitment to nature, with all vineyards converted to organic cultivation. Vieira and Ribeiro have identified the coolest spots in Portugal for their fresh, elegant and mineral wines. Even in the Alentejo, where the grapes for their Rosé Brut Nature sparkling wine come from the cooler sub-region of Vidigueira. The sparkling wine is vinified from the native Portuguese grape variety Touriga Nacional, but the grapes are harvested earlier for the sparkling wine. The Rosé Brut Nature is disgorged after 12 months of ageing on the lees and goes well with seafood (oysters!) and fish – including smoked fish.
All about Sekt, Cremant, Champagne & Co.
It's not just about the bubbles....You can find the most important sparkling wine styles, their legal framework and rules for their production in this comprehensive Wine+Partners overview.
