Inexpensive rose’ sparkling wines are a twofer in summer: the bubbles set an instant party mood, and you get a refreshing chilled and eye-catching wine without seeming budget-conscious.
In 1659, Anna de Codorniu married Miguel Raventos. Two centuries later, Josep Raventos founded the family wine business and also brought to Spain the Champagne Method- meaning the second fermentation that produces the bubbles takes place in the bottle.
Codorniu’s newest cava, Anna de Codorniu Brut Rose’ honors the long-ago matriarch, as she was the last member of the family to bear the Codorniu name.
The non-vintage Anna de Codorniu Brut Rose’ is a classic Champagne blend of 70 percent pinot noir and 30 percent chardonnay. Its pretty rose pedal shade and an appealing cherry and strawberry aroma and flavor makes it an ideal welcoming glass of wine. It is softer on the palate than Champagne and, at about $16, much gentler on the pocketbook.
Segura Viudas Brut Rose’ is one of the best values in the market. It is from Spain’s Penedes region, the cava sparkling wine appellation. Segura Viudas makes its brut rose’ from 90 percent trepat, an ancient red grape that Segura Viudas brought back from near-extinction. The balance is garnacha.
The wine is made by the Champagne method, and the skilled winemaking delivers refined bubbles that rise through the strawberry-colored wine with very flavorful red fruit flavors and a medium-dry finish.
Use this versatile sparkling wine to match with hors d’oeuvres like New Jersey tomato bruschetta, an appetizer of grilled shrimp with sliced chorizo on a bed of wilted sweet onions, or a main dish of grilled salmon with gazpacho sauce.
And as much as you’ll like the Segura Viudas Brut Rose, you’ll love the $9 price tag. This is a buy-the-case wine.
You can finish your party with Banfi Vintners Rosa Regali, a sweet red sparkling wine made from the brachetto grape in Italy’s Piedmont region. The Rosa Regali is made by the Charmat method for creating sparkling wines- the second fermentation is completed in pressurized tanks before bottling.
Bring a bowl of chilled chocolate-covered strawberries to the table and a plate of hazelnut or walnut cookies and watch them quickly disappear with the vivid crimson-colored Rosa Regali.
Its raspberry flavor, a low 7 percent alcohol and soft sparkling texture is the ideal ending as the sun sets on your summer party. The Banfi Vintners Rosa Regali retails for about $23.
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