The Future of Bubbly

You may have struggled getting out of bed New Year’s Day, still recovering from all those champagne corks you popped and the glasses and glasses of champagne you drank to ring in 2011. While the hangover may have been the most forgettable moment of your New Year’s Eve celebration, it shouldn’t stop you from drinking bubbly in the coming year.

Scott Beckerley, the Assistant Manager of Champagne and Old and Rare Wines at K&L Wine Merchants in San Francisco, said it was a nice comeback for the sparkling wine industry in 2010, despite the economy.

“There are many, many varieties of sparkling wine from such places as Spain and Italy, as well as the generally-termed “sparkling wine,” which is made in the U.S., Australia, South Africa and other regions of France,” he said. “Cava from Spain and Prosecco from Italy have gotten much more popular. There has also been an increase in sales for more premium California producers.”

Beckerley said the market continues to grow because of the different producers and regions of the world that have invaded the marketplace.

“California producers such as Schramsberg are having success,” he said. “There has also been a spike in sparkling wines from other regions in France, such as the Alsace and the Cremant bubblies from the Languedoc-Roussillon region. In fact, one of our most popular lines is from the Languedoc-Roussillon called “Antech.” They do a no-dosage Cremant, a Rose and several others for under $15.”

Beckerley said he is cautiously optimistic of another successful year as the sparkling wine market continues to grow in 2011.

Photo Credit: Keith Mizuguchi