United States of Bubbly

by Tim Fish

Retail shelves are jammed this time of year with sparkling wine from around the world, and though America still loves Champagne and Prosecco, domestic bubblies remain a driving force in the market, delivering both quality and value.

How do you know which bottle to buy when there are so many to choose from? To help you find what you’re looking for, here’s a snapshot of a dozen top sparkling wine houses in the United States that have a track record for excellence. From Oregon and Washington to California and New Mexico, you’ll find ample reason to celebrate.

Oregon
Argyle
This pioneering Willamette Valley winery was originally launched as a house of bubbles in 1987, a fact often overlooked amid its success with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Today, Nate Klostermann carries on the tradition of founding winemaker Rollin Soles, crafting intricately detailed sparkling wines entirely from estate vineyards. The standout remains the Extended Tirage Brut, which is aged 10 years on the yeast.

Tim Fish’s Recommended U.S. Sparkling Wines
2015 Argyle Vintage Brut – 90 Points
Polished and elegantly focused, with flavors of brioche and spice.