The Magic of Bubbles

What is it about bubbles? Is it the anticipation? The way they reflect the light with swirling colors? Perhaps it is the challenge of blowing the biggest bubble or the chase as they float out of reach. Children of all ages can easily become absorbed in the magic on a sunny afternoon. That doesn’t change in adulthood.

Any afternoon becomes an occasion when you accept the invitation to play. Here are a few bottles of Monday wines for any occasion.

Codorniu Clasico is cava made from Macabeo, Xarel.lo and Parellada. I bought it for mimosas but it was fun by itself. Stone and tropical fruit, dry, bright, tasty. A great bottle for the price point of around $8. An even better bottle when shared with friends.

Anna de Codorniu Brut NV* is from the same family but this bottle is composed of 70% Chardonnay and 30% Parellada. The bubbles, delicate, the color, straw yellow. Tropical and citrus notes combine to create a balanced bottle of bubbles that is impressive, especially at $15. It was just the right bottle to celebrate my friend’s end of a grueling semester.

Ruffino Prosecco** was sent to me to create a holiday cocktail they suggested. I had every intention of doing just that, but when I got home on NYE to discover I was missing the cranberry juice, I improvised. (The cider was for the littles). The original cocktail was:

Sweet and Spiced Holiday Sparkler

3 oz. Ruffino Prosecco DOC

3/4 oz. apple cider

3/4 oz. cranberry juice

1 tsp. maple syrup

squeeze of 1 lemon wedge

Instead I made:

Five Spice Sparkler

4 oz. Ruffino Prosecco

1/2 tsp of Five spice Syrup***

Squeeze of Meyer Lemon

While the first cocktail looked yummy, I generally prefer less juice, more booze and bubbles. The one I came up with was delicious if I do say so myself. On its own, I find the Ruffino a little bitter in the finish but the syrup and lemon worked well with it. I’ll be making that again. Holidays or not.