Pop! The cork flies out, a wisp of misty smoke floats from the bottle's neck and, moments later, gold liquid spills eagerly over its top. Hooray, it's bubbly time!
Whether you call it Champagne, sparkling wine, bubbly, fizz or giggle juice, it’s the drink of celebration, life, love and everything else worth drinking to. Napoleon said of Champagne: “In victory we deserve it, in defeat we need it”. It is the elixir that makes strangers become friends and old friends even better friends. It lifts the appetite and gives a bounce to the spirit and it makes the future look brighter.
It is a joyful drink that should not only be opened at special occasions. Bubbly makes the moment as long as the one served suits the moment. The challenge is to get the match right. How?
Woolworths has made it easy by putting together a wide selection of sparkling wines from South Africa, Italy and France with prices ranging from R39.95 for local sparkling wine, to R595 for the finest from France. Go to your nearest Woolies and match moments to bottles.
JUST FOR THE HANG OF IT
The budget is stretched, but you feel a bubbly moment coming on? Make it happen with there freshing, relaxing and pocket-friendly Spumanté Brut Non-Vintage (R39.95) from Rooiberg Winery. It's crisp and dry and fills the mouth with frothing freshness and fragrant fruitiness. An anytime indulgence.
FIZZ FACT: Sparkling wine is a generic term for any wine that has a bubble in it. Champagne is a strictly controlled name for wines made using the “Champagne method” (wine is fermented a second time in the bottle) in the Champagne region in the north of France. In South Africa, wines using this method are known as Mèthode Cap Classiques.
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THE GREAT OUTDOORS
It’s summer time and the living is easy. Treat yourself to a healthy, invigorating treat with Brut Natural 2008 (R99.95) from Mèthode Cap Classique specialists Villiera. Why healthy? Wild yeast fermentation, no added sulphur dioxide (SO2 ) or dosage (sweetening agent). Aromas of white fruits and toasty brioche make it a lovely match for roast free-range chicken with grilled organic vegetables. A budget-conscious option would be the appley, limey Organic Sauvignon Blanc Brut (R44.95) from Rooiberg Winery.
FIZZ FACT: Brut is the term for the driest sparkling wine. As sweetness increases it can be called Dry, Extra-Dry, etc. Spumanté sometimes signifies a sweeter sparkling wine although its correct translation from the Italian is “sparkling wine”.
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LIFE OF THE PARTY
All the way from the north of Italy, Prosecco Brut (R69.95) or Pinot Grigio Brut (R59.95) will add Mediterranean flair to any party. Guests will quickly be seduced into enjoying la dolce vita as well as the festive fizziness in the bottles. Both are an inspiration served ice cold with brimming platters of antipasta followed by steaming bowls of pasta.
FIZZ FACT: Sparkling wine should be served very cold (6° to 8°C). It is best enjoyed in a tulip-shaped flute glass, which shows off the mousse (bubble) to best effect and allows the bouquet to be appreciated at the neck of the glass.
GET THE PARTY STARTED WITH THESE FUN RECIPES:
SUNSETS AND SMOOCHES
The sun’s last rays dance on the horizon, the sky glimmers pink and violet, you cuddle closer. Now reach into the cooler bag and slide out a bottle of Simonsig No Sulphur Added Pinot Noir Rosé Mèthode Cap Classique 2010 (R109.95). A most delicate flamingo pink, sensual flavours of luscious strawberry and a myriad tiny bubbles exploding on your tongue. Now bring out a plate of juicy prawns. Heaven!
FIZZ FACT: Most sparkling wines are best enjoyed young, although goodquality Champagnes and Champagnemethod wines can benefit from careful maturation.
SET THE MOOD WITH A FEW ROMANTIC DISHES:
TYING THE KNOT
You want the best but budget and numbers rule the roost. Make the occasion with Villiera Mèthode Cap Classique (R79.95), a topdrawer bubbly at a remarkable price. It is elegant, exuberant and zesty with a citrus and lemon tang and has the style and class to be the ideal toast-raiser for the perfect couple. Quaff it as speeches ring out and bouquets and garters are merrily tossed.
FIZZ FACT: If a bottle of sparkling wine is not finished it can be closed with a special metal cap. Many believe that hanging a teaspoon in the neck of an unfinished bottle will preserve its bubbles and, although this is largely unexplained, it does seem to work to a certain degree.
CELEBRATE WITH THESE RECIPES: