This just in: 2011 toasts in a host of styles and prices

I ignored my own holiday advice this year and picked up a $50 bottle of Moet and Chandon. I had praised all of the options to ringing in the New Year with an expensive bottle of French bubbly, but what the Hell. No beer for me this year.

“” The New Year approaches. Time to break out the bubbly. Whether it’s simply for toasting or to serve with a festive meal, there are lots of styles to choose from. Here’s a guide plus some handy terminology:
Blanc de blancs: “White of whites,” meaning it’s a white bubbly made of white grapes, often chardonnay.
Blanc de noirs: “White of blacks,” meaning it’s a white bubbly made of black grapes, often pinot noir.
Brut: This is among the driest of bubblies, often a blend of chardonnay and pinot noir.
Demi-sec: Literally “half-dry,” in champagne’s odd nomenclature, it’s actually quite sweet.
Extra-dry: Lightly sweet, but not as sweet at demi-sec.
Cremant: A sparkling wine made with slightly less pressure in its bubbles; some say this makes it creamy.
Highly Recommended:
Ruinart Champagne Brut Rose, Reims (pinot noir, chardonnay): myriad tiny bubbles; flavors of tart strawberries, ginger and spice; creamy, firm body; $53.
2006 Schramsberg Cremant Demi-Sec, North Coast, Calif. (flora, chardonnay): light, creamy bubbles; off-dry, with ripe peach and apricot flavors; $38.
Nonvintage Pol Roger Champagne, “White Foil” Extra Cuvee de Reserve, France (pinot noir, chardonnay, pinot meunier): lively mousse of fine bubbles; crisp; flavors of green apples, minerals; $45.
Nonvintage Louis Roederer Brut Premier Champagne, Reims: (pinot noir, pinot meunier, chardonnay): lively pinpoint bubbles; crisp and lively; creamy; intense cherry and raspberry flavors; $43.
Nonvintage Etoile Brut Sparkling Wine, Sonoma/Napa (chardonnay, pinot noir, pinot meunier): big, active bubbles; flavors of apples and spice; crisp and very rich; $40.
Recommended:
2007 Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs Sparkling Wine, North Coast (chardonnay): dry, crisp and light as air, with myriad tiny bubbles; flavors of toasted croissants and lemon; $36.
2007 Schramsberg Blanc de Noirs Sparkling Wine, North Coast (pinot noir, chardonnay): sturdy bubbles; rich; black cherry and caramel flavors; $38.
Multivintage Roederer Estate Brut Sparkling Wine, Anderson Valley, Calif. (chardonnay, pinot noir): lots of tiny bubbles; firm structure; spicy, nutty, golden apple flavors; $23.
Multivintage Roederer Estate Brut Rose, Anderson Valley, Calif. (pinot noir, chardonnay): salmon hue, hint of oak, very crisp, black cherry flavors; $27.
Nonvintage Scharffenberger Cellars Brut Rose, Anderson Valley (pinot noir, chardonnay): salmon hue, big bubbles, aromas and flavors of red raspberries, firm structure; $23.
Nonvintage Chandon Brut Classic Sparkling Wine, Calif. (chardonnay, pinot noir, pinot meunier): soft bubbles, very dry, spicy green apple and mineral flavors; $22.
2002 Gloria Ferrer Royal Cuvee, Carneros, Calif. (pinot noir and chardonnay): extra-fine bubbles, crisp lemon and green apples with yeasty hints of bread dough; $32.
Nonvintage Mumm Napa Brut Prestige, Napa Valley (pinot noir, chardonnay, pinot meunier, pinot gris): big bubbles, aromas of camellias, very crisp, flavors of green apples and green melons; $20.
Nonvintage Mumm Napa Brut Rose, Napa, Calif. (pinot noir, chardonnay): lively bubbles, crisp and rich, flavors of black cherries; $24.
Nonvintage Trapiche Sparkling Wine Extra Brut (chardonnay, Semillon, malbec): big bubbles, toasty aromas, golden apple flavors; $13.
Nonvintage Mirabelle Brut Sparkling Wine, North Coast, Calif. (chardonnay, pinot noir): lots of big bubbles, intensely fruity with flavors of tangerines and golden apples; $23.
Nonvintage Mirabelle Brut Rose Sparkling Wine, North Coast, Calif., (chardonnay, pinot noir); pale rose hue, lots of tiny bubbles, tart strawberry flavors; $27.””

Source: By Fred Tasker
(c) 2010, The Miami Herald.