The best sparkling wines in the world for your year-end celebrations

As the year-end festivities approach, it’s time to add a sparkling touch to our celebrations. Sparkling wines emerge from their bubbles to enhance our festivities. To help you choose, our dedicated Sparkling Wine Session rewarded the world’s best products. After the extraordinary cuvée Orpale Grand Cru 2008 (which we have already discussed), let’s take a look at the four other cuvées awarded with an International Revelation.

1/ Revelation France: Champagne Jean Dumangin, Brut Millésimé Premier Cru.”

Undoubtedly the global benchmark for sparkling wines, Champagne embodies ultimate refinement. Northeast of Paris, the Champagne region produces exceptionally high-quality sparkling wines. In addition to the internationally renowned grandes maisons, numerous family-owned houses in Champagne create superb, more intimate cuvées. Expect delicate bubbles, lively acidity, and a complex aromatic palette ranging from citrus to brioche notes.

We recommend the Cuvée Brut Millésimé 2015 from Jean Dumangin. A delicate wine with reflections of yellow gold to white. On the nose, a dominance of yellow fruits, accompanied by a basket of crisp white fruits. The 70% Pinot Noir brings extreme roundness to the palate. It is ample, lively, and generous with flavors of white peach, mirabelle, and apricot. ‘2015 is the benchmark year of the decade for Pinot Noir in Montagne de Reims. The nose reveals menthol and toasting notes, and yellow fruits will be stewed (mirabelle jam). This vintage will maintain a lively palate and showcase a beautiful patina carried by the Pinot Noir. It is a gastronomic champagne due to its structure and uniqueness.’ JE Barbier, Oenologist at Dumangin.

2/ Revelation Italy : Fratus Brut Saten – Permane Sui Lieviti 90 Mesi 2013

The Franciacorta region in Lombardy embodies the essence of Italian elegance in the world of sparkling wines. Often compared to Champagne, the traditional method used here imparts remarkable finesse and structure to these wines. Pair your favorite Italian dishes with a glass of Franciacorta for an unparalleled sparkling experience.

Among the most extraordinary cuvées produced in the region, discover Fratus Franciacorta Brut Satén. An exceptionally elegant wine produced exclusively from organically grown Chardonnay. After a slow pressing and controlled fermentation, the wine has aged on its lees for an impressive 90 months! This extended aging imparts incredible aromas of nutty, walnut, and almond notes. A creamy wine, yet incredibly fresh nonetheless.

3/ Revelation Spain : Cava Vives Ambròs Gran Reserva Tradició 2016

Spain offers an exquisite alternative with its Cava, primarily produced in Catalonia. Crafted using the traditional method, Cava is often appreciated for its excellent value. Indigenous grapes such as Macabeo, Xarel-lo, and Parellada give Cava a unique personality. Notes of fresh fruit, lively acidity, and persistent bubbles make Cava an ideal choice for casual celebrations.

In our latest sparkling wine session, one Cava stood out prominently. It is the Vives Ambròs Gran Reserva Tradició 2016. This family-owned estate nestled in the heights of Catalonia has been producing premium wines for over 20 years. This 2016 cuvée is a blend of 60% Xarel-lo and 40% Macabeo from old vines over 70 years old. The extended aging (over 6 years) is responsible for these unique and highly complex aromas from yeast autolysis. It is enriched with subtle floral and fruity notes with a hint of spice.

4/ Revelation Portugal : Espumante Adega de Favaios Bruto Grande Reserva 2013

The Douro region in Portugal is renowned for its Port wines but extends beyond fortified wines. In recent years, the region has also excelled in producing high-quality sparkling wines. The production of bubbles in the Douro region is primarily based on indigenous grape varieties such as Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, and Touriga Franca. For sparkling wines, these grapes are often harvested slightly earlier to preserve vibrant acidity and fresher aromas.

The Adega Cooperativa de Favaios is one of Portugal’s most important cooperatives. The cooperative spirit of its 550 members has fueled the production of fine wines. Among their many cuvées, the Grande Reserva 2013 stands out. Grapes were hand-harvested in 20 kg crates, then cooled in a cold room at a temperature between 8 and 10°C. After alcoholic fermentation, the base wine was aged in stainless steel tanks until February 2014. Disgorgement took place in November 2022, imparting great complexity to the wine due to the extended aging on lees. On the palate, the wine showcases indulgence with notes of honey, brioche, and saffron. Freshness is maintained, thanks in part to vineyards cultivated between 500 and 700 meters above sea level.