It’s getting to be time to break open the bubbly. Yes, New Year’s Eve is upon us. And that means people will be looking to toast the new year with a sip of Champagne or another sparkling wine. Americans certainly have a taste for the fizzy stuff. The U.S. is the top export market for Champagne, and sales increased by nearly 20% in 2022 to roughly $1 billion, according to an industry tally.
That news comes at a time when there’s growing concern that Champagne could be in short supply in the years ahead because of climate change. Specifically, there’s fear that the grape varieties that go into the beloved bubbly are “on the brink of extinction,” according to a CNN report that cited data from Climate Ai, a Silicon Valley startup. But for now, let’s focus on the immediate question: Which sparkling wine should you sip come New Year’s Eve — Champagne or something else? Here are some suggestions worthy of a Weekend Sip.
Bollinger Champagne has always been 007’s bubbly of choice — and the brand has even released James Bond-themed bottles.
AFP via Getty Images
The James Bond bubbly: The British secret agent of literary and cinematic fame may be known for how he likes his martinis prepared — shaken, not stirred, of course. But Agent 007 also enjoys a good sip of Champagne. His preferred brand of the French favorite has been Bollinger, which offers a variety of expressions at different price points. A recent one that stands out is its PN AYC 18 release, which sells for around $140. The PN stands for pinot noir, the key grape varietal that goes into the bottle, while the AYC refers to the Aÿ cru, or the prized area where the grape is sourced. The bottle is described as a “serious, understated and rich” sip — and one that’s a slightly different take on the traditional French Champagne.
Billecart-Salmon’s Nicolas François 2008 release, at left, is available on its own for $249 or in a special holiday gift set with another bottle of bubbly for $349.
Billecart-Salmon
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That news comes at a time when there’s growing concern that Champagne could be in short supply in the years ahead because of climate change. Specifically, there’s fear that the grape varieties that go into the beloved bubbly are “on the brink of extinction,” according to a CNN report that cited data from Climate Ai, a Silicon Valley startup. But for now, let’s focus on the immediate question: Which sparkling wine should you sip come New Year’s Eve — Champagne or something else? Here are some suggestions worthy of a Weekend Sip.
Bollinger Champagne has always been 007’s bubbly of choice — and the brand has even released James Bond-themed bottles.
AFP via Getty Images
The James Bond bubbly: The British secret agent of literary and cinematic fame may be known for how he likes his martinis prepared — shaken, not stirred, of course. But Agent 007 also enjoys a good sip of Champagne. His preferred brand of the French favorite has been Bollinger, which offers a variety of expressions at different price points. A recent one that stands out is its PN AYC 18 release, which sells for around $140. The PN stands for pinot noir, the key grape varietal that goes into the bottle, while the AYC refers to the Aÿ cru, or the prized area where the grape is sourced. The bottle is described as a “serious, understated and rich” sip — and one that’s a slightly different take on the traditional French Champagne.
Billecart-Salmon’s Nicolas François 2008 release, at left, is available on its own for $249 or in a special holiday gift set with another bottle of bubbly for $349.
Billecart-Salmon
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