From a very young age, we are conditioned to be delighted by bubbles. As soon as a young child can bathe sitting up in a tub, bubbles are added to the bath for pure fun. At many single-digit birthday parties, we are encouraged to blow bubbles through a little plastic wand and react with glee as they float up into the air. As we get older and can chew gum without choking, blowing bubbles becomes a defining moment, much like learning to ride a bike.
To further illustrate our love of bubbles, let’s consider the much-loved song, “Tiny Bubbles,” by Hawaiian hottie, Don Ho. According to the lyrics, bubbles — particularly those found in wine — made Ho feel happy and warm all over and even landed him on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1957.
Many of you may not be bubble-blowers or bubble-bathers, but you can still enjoy the playfulness and wonder by popping open a bottle (or two) of bubbles. And if you’re one of those people who drinks sparkling wine only on special occasions, let Christmas be the excuse you need to “feel happy and warm all over.”
NV JP Chenet Frais et Fruité Dry Rosé, France ($11.99, Community Food Co-op). If you like your sparkling wine to have fruit notes, the Chenet is for you. This very affordable wine has expressive strawberry and raspberry notes and nose-tickling, delicate bubbles.
Domaine Franck Besson “Rosé Granit,” 100% Gamay, Beaujolais, France ($19.99, Community food Co-op). The Besson is a charming sparkler with pale pink hues and a ballerina-like femininity. Like the Chenet, there are sweet fruit notes but on a more lithe frame — this tip-toes across your palate as opposed to skipping.
The Dignitat Cava Brut and Dignitat Brut Rosé from Spain ($14.99, Great Northern Bottle Shop, 1319 Commercial St.) are exceptional values and I encourage you to buy more than one bottle of each. I first tried this Cava, by-the-glass, at Aslan Depot and one glass quickly led to another. The wines are clean and refreshing and a steal at $15 bucks a bottle. Made from organic grapes.
2021 Naveran Cava Brut, Spain ($21.99, Mediterranean Specialties, 505 32nd St.). I bought this because I was looking for something in the $20 range and I liked the label, and yes, it made me happy. While the Naveran is a dry wine, the Granny Smith apple notes create impressions of tangy fruit that are very satisfying. Made from organic grapes.
You might be wondering why I didn’t include Champagne in this article, which wasn’t intentional. I like Champagne very much but it’s a little out of my budget. And, quite frankly, if I want to feel happy and warm all over, it behooves me to find some bubbles that I can enjoy over and over again. Cheers, readers!
Katie Bechkowiak owned Vinostrology wine bar in downtown Bellingham from 2013–19. If you have wine suggestions for her monthly column, contact vinostrology@gmail.com.
