I know what you are thinking. No, I am not in favor of those little wires covered with a thick batter of slow burning pyrotechnic composition. Metallic fuel, the size of particles, influences the appearance of sparks. The colors are white (aluminum or magnesium), orange (iron), rich white (titanium), and yellow gold (ferrotitanium). And other pyrotechnic colorants, of course.
I am limiting my Fourth to sparkling wines, my kind of sparklers.
Summer celebrations are the perfect time to chill several bottles of sparkling wines, champagnes, or lighter whites and rose’s. You can even cheat a little by putting a few ice cubes (dare I say?) in your glass of white or rose’ wine.
Just a brief reminder for those of you not sure what to buy and drink. Unless you want to follow my recommendations, try something reasonably priced, like a Prosecco (also pictured above), sauvignon blanc or rose’ around the $10 to $15 price range. There is no need to pay more than $20 unless it is a very special occasion.
My every day sparkling is from Loire, France, called Veuve du Vernay brut rose’ priced well under $10 a bottle. A photo of the bottle is shown above. It can be found in most wine stores like Bev Mo, Total Wine, or K&L.
Trader Joe’s is a good place for beginners and pros alike. If you happen the catch the wine “specialist” stocking or reordering, do not be afraid to talk to him about his favorites. My last visit to TJs centered on finding a good Pomerol from Bordeaux, specifically Saint Emilion, where I went cycling in May.
Secret ingredient: For those of you who like a little “pizzazz” in their wine, try a splash or two of elderflower liquor, otherwise known as Saint Germain liqueur. Just a splash will render even the cheapest sparkling wine into a drinkable taste treat!
Friends are another good source of wine knowledge. Don’t be afraid to ask. And always keep in mind my only rule about wine: If you like it, that is all that matters. Try not to worry about what others like or might say about your choices.
So, quite simply, these are my summer sparklers.
For those of you hitting the road, drive safely, and always drive sober. Look at this: A record-breaking 48.9 million Americans will travel for Independence Day this year, according to a new American Automobile Association (AAA) report. This is the most AAA has recorded since it began tracking holiday travel in 2000, with 1.9 million more people planning a getaway for July 4 this year than last.
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