For the coming Christmas and New Years holidays, here our our recommendations in sparkling wines that will add a festive touch. Most of them come from Esquin Wine Merchants in Seattle and The Thief in Walla Walla.

N.V. Boizel Champagne Brut Reserve ($34.99 - Esquin) - Composed of 55% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay and 15% Pinot Meunier, this offers a deep gold color tiny streaming bubbles and seductive aromas of pear, strawberry, peach, orange peel, pear and orange tree blossoms. The flavors are deliciously rich and textured, with notes of grape and pear skins and gravelly minerals. The back picks up touches of crème fraiche, toast and orange peel on the way to a crisp finely fruited finish. Excellent value. 18.5+/20 points.

N.V. R. H. Coutier Champagne Grand Cru, Ambonnay, Cuvée Tradition ($38.99 - Esquin) - This 80% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay combination displays an iridescent gold color, frothy bubbles and aromas of apple, pink cherry, citrus, apple blossoms, lemon verbena and toast. The flavors are simultaneously vigorous and creamy, with notes of grape skin, peach stone and flinty minerals. The resonance continues on the back with sensations of pêche and kirsch liqueurs, lemon custard, brioche and dustings of cinnamon and cardamom, followed by a lingering nearly dry (6.5 g/L dosage) finish. 19/20 points.

N.V. Charles Orban Champagne, Troissy, Brut Carte Noire ($49 - The Thief) - This is mostly (86%) Pinot Meunier (with 8% Pinot Noir and 6% Chardonnay) which is usually blended in smaller percentages. The result is a particularly rich and complex Chamagne. Brilliant gold colored, it possesses a fine mousse and captivating aromas of Bosc pear, cherry white peach, cherry and pear tree blossoms, brioche, and white incense. The yellow and white fruit flavors are rich and creamy, marked by grape and pear skins and mountain minerals. The back picks up poire and kirsch on the way to a resonant rich, dry finish. 19/20 points.

N.V. Marie Copinet Champagne Blanc de Blancs ($49.99 - Esquin) - All Chardonnay, this an exquisite Champagne. It shows a brilliant lemon-gold color and streaming bubbles with floral aromas of apple, white peach, apple blossoms, lemon verbena and white incense. The flavors are well-wrought, with a chalky-creamy texture, with notes of brioche and pêche liqueur, followed by a long, resonant true Brut finish. 19/20 points.

N.V. Christophe Mignon Champagne Rose ($70 - The Thief) - Produced entirely from Pinot Meunier, this is a beautiful Rosé Champagne. It displays a deep copper color, fine streaming bubbles and seductive aromas of fraises de bois, pomegranate, red currant, orange peel, crushed roses and pink incense. The flavors are amazingly full and mouth filling, with red and orange fruits that are accented by the CO2 ling with fraise liqueur and recurring orange peel, followed by a lingering finish that is lifted by vivid fruit acidity. Makes a perfect accompaniment to just about anything. 19.5/20 points.

N.V. Château de Mauny Crémant de Loire Brut ($13.99 - Esquin) - This 80% Chenin Blanc, 20% Chardonnay bargain shows a brilliant lemon-gold color, lengthy beads of bubbles and scents of pear, white peach, lemon, pear blossoms and clover. The flavors are bright and lively, with notes of grape skins, peach stones and calcareous minerals. The vivacity continues on the back with poire and pêche liqueurs and lemon zest on the crisp finish. 18/20 points.

N.V. François Montand Brut Rosé ($15 - The Thief) - This is a terrific vale from the Pays du Jura. It shows a brilliant copper-pink color, streaming bubbles and fragrant aromas of strawberries, cherries, red currants, red roses, link lilac, orange peel and pink incense. The flavors, as well, are appealing with lively red fruits that are accented by grape skins, kirsch and cassis and recurring orange peel followed by a brisk finish. 18/20 points.

2019 Rouanne Brut Nature Rosé, "Comte de Grignan" ($34 - The Thief) - This is a blend of 55% Mourvèdre, 20% Cinsault, 10% Syrah, 10% Marselan and 5% Grenache from the South of France. Rosé is indicated only on the back label in small type. This is a striking sparkler. Deep copper-pink colored, it shows streaming bubbles and enticing aromas of wild raspberries, pomegranates, currants, wild roses, lavender and spiced orange incense. On the palate, the flavors are invigorating, with red fruits that are accented by red grape skins, orange peel and silex minerals. The back picks up framboise and cassis liqueurs and spices (nutmeg, clove) on the way to a dry undoesd (Nature) finish. 18.5/20 points.

2015 Albert Boxler Crémant d'Alsace Brut ($36 - The Thief) - Brilliant lemon-gold colored, this possesses streaming bubbles and floral aromas of pear, peach, grapefruit, apple blossoms, jasmine and wet stone. The flavors are delightfully vibrant, with notes of peach stones, pear skins and Vosges minerals. On the back, the CO2 enlivens the wine, counterpointing the leesy texture and poire William liqueur, followed by a crisp, resonate Brut finish. 18.5/20 points.

N.V. Luchetti Brut Sparkling Rosé ($16 - The Thief) - This Italian sparkling wine shows a copper-pink color, effervescent bubbles and attractive aromas of raspberries, cherries, red currants, red roses and pink lilac. The flavors, as well, are appealing with bright pink fruits that are accented by grape skins, kirsch and currant liqueurs and minerals, followed by a refreshing, crisp, finely fruited finish. 18/20 points.

2019 Bisson Vino Frizzante "Glera" ($25 - The Thief) - This is a distinctive sparkler from Valdobiadene. The wine is light gold colored and lightly bubbled ("frizzante") with fragrant apple, lime and wildflower aromas. The flavors are sprightly and refreshing, with notes of spritz, grape skin, apple liqueur and line zest followed by a resonant low alcohol (11%) dry finish. 18+/20 points.

N.V. Jeio Vino Spumante Cuvée Rosé Brut ($20 - The Thief) - This is quite different from the usual sparkling Rosé. It shows a brilliant pink-copper color, streaming bubbles and intriguing aromas of raspberry, pink cherry, orange peel, ginger. lavender and pink incense. The flavors are brightly fruited, with notes of grape skins, peach stones, minerals, recurring ginger and orange peel, followed by a bracing dry finish. 18/20 points.

2016 Llopart Brut Reserva Brut ($21.99 - Esquin) - This Spanish combination 0f 60% Monastrell (Mourvèdre) and 20% each of Garnacha (Grenache) and Pinot Noir is a super buy. It displays a light copper color, streaming bubbles and intriguing aromas of strawberry, pink cherry, nectarine, currant, pink roses, pink lilac, lavender and spiced incense. The flavors are simultaneously delicate and forceful, with notes of ginger, orange peel, cherry liqueur and chalky minerals, followed by a bracing finish that is lifted by bright fruit acids. 18.5/20 points. 

N.V. Domaine Ste. Michelle Brut Sparkling Wine, Columbia Valley ($11.99 - Safeway) - This is a super bargain. Brilliant gold colored, it possesses streaming bubbles and aromas of apple, peach, citrus, apple blossoms and lemon verbena. The flavors are crisp and lively, with notes of grape skins and peach stone. The back picks up touches of hazelnut and toast, followed by a brisk, finely fruits moderate alcohol 11%) true Brut finish. 18/20 points.

N.V. Domaine Ste. Michelle Brut Rosé Sparkling Wine, Columbia Valley ($13.99 - Safeway) - This is a charming bubbly that shows a brilliant copper-pink color, lovely aromas of strawberry, cherry, cranberry, rose petals, pink lilac and pink incense. The flavors are fresh and nicely fruited, enlivened by the bubbles and bright fruit acids, all finishing briskly. 18+/20 points.

N.V. Treveri Blanc de Blancs Brut Sparkling Wine, Columbia Valley ($13.98 - Super 1) - Produced from 100% Chardonnay, this is a real bargain, It displays a brilliant gold color and streaming bubbles, along with fresh accents of green apple, brioche and wildflowers. The flavors are nicely balanced, with notes of pressed white fruits and stony minerals, followed by a crisp true Brut finish. 18+/20 points.

N.V. Treveri Rosé Sec Sparkling Wine, Columbia Valley ($16.98 - Super 1) - Made from Chardonnay with a bit of Syrah, this offers a brilliant pink color and plenty of bubbles, with aromas of strawberry, cherry, rhubarb and scents of cherry blossoms, wildflowers, yeast and white incense. The flavors are bright, juicy and minerals, picking up fraise and cerise liqueurs on the way to a pleasing off dry finish. 18+/20 points.

2019 Forgeron Cellars Sparkling Chardonnay, Columbia Valley ($35) - This is an attractively styled 100% Chardonnay. See the January 2021  issue of the Review of Washington Wines for a full review. 18.5/20 points.

2016 Argyle Vintage Brut Sparkling Wine, Willamette Valley ($23.99 - Safeway) - This Oregon sparkler is strikingly Champagne-like. Composed of 55% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir and 10% Pinot Meunier, it displays a lemon-gold color, streaming bubbles and floral aromas of apple and lemon tree  blossoms, acacia flowers, brioche and white incense. The flavors are crisp and resonant, with the typically high acid Oregon Chardonnay taking the forefront. The back picks up Calvados and a bit of toast followed by a dry finish. 18.5/20 points.

N.V. Gruet American Sparkling Wine ($14.98 - Super 1) - This New Mexico winery turns out a nice well-priced bubbly. It presents a brilliant lemon-gold color, streaming bubbles and attractive aromas of Granny apple, white peach, lemon custard, apple blossoms and a hint of wintermint. The flavors are crisp and resonant, with notes of grape skin, peach stone and saline minerals. The wine enlivens further on the back with Calvados and touches of creme fraiche and lemon zest on the finish. 18+/20 points. 

2017 Schramsberg Rosé Sparkling Wine, Sonoma Valley ($42.99 - Safeway) - Schramsberg is a highly respected long-time California sparkling wine producer. Composed of 72% Pinot Noir and 18% Chardonnay, this displays a copper color, fine bubbles and striking aromas of strawberry, cherry, cassis, orange peel, cherry blossoms and whiffs of white pepper and orange incense. The flavors are exquisitely wrought accented by grape skins and recurring orange peel, and lifted by CO2 and bright fruit acids, followed by a lingering, complex finish. 19/20 points.