The southern end of Napa and Sonoma Counties in California spill into the San Pablo Bay and form a region known as Carneros. The Carneros Region has long been known for producing great Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes, which happen to be the main ingredients for quality champagne and sparkling wine. For several hundred years, the only quality sparkling wine was made in France in the Champagne Appellation, and only those wines produced there could be called Champagne. Even other quality sparklers made in France could not use this name.

One of the first Champagne makers was the house of Moet & Chandon, founded in 1743 and famous for their Dom Perignon Champagne. Like other champagne makers their interest in making sparkling wine in California increased in the 1960's, and in 1973 they opened their winery in Yountville, California, with extensive plantings in the Carneros area, just north of San Pablo Bay.

One of my favorite sparkling wines has always been the Chandon California Blanc de Noirs. This wine is made of only Pinot Noir Grapes and has a wonderful copper blush color, and a creamy texture complimented by its steady stream of tiny bubbles in the glass. These tiny bubbles called the "bead" are evidence of a quality sparkling wine. They should be quite small and fly in a tight formation from the bottom of the glass all the way to the last sip!

What a great way to celebrate the holidays, and speaking of which, it is not too early to start making your plans for Valentine's Day and the Atlanta Fine Wine Festival, which this year will be on February 16, 2008.

This wonderful event helps raise money for Hospice Atlanta, and features hundreds of fine wines and gourmet foods. So save some holiday cheer for a few weeks down the road during the Valentine's day weekend!

World Beverage
6190 Highway 400
Cumming, GA 30040
(678) 513-6284