Michelle NV Extra Dry, Columbia Valley, $14
Best Buy! New Year’s Eve and Jan. 1 are fun and festive times to celebrate with bubbles, but many sparkling wines are built to be enjoyed any day of the week with virtually any type of food. Fortunately, Michelle wines are priced to fit, too. “Extra Dry” actually equates to slightly off-dry, and this blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris — the same as the Brut — checks in at 2.2% residual sugar. Its theme of nectarine, Golden Delicious apple, gooseberry and lemongrass is packaged into a delicious and beautifully balanced drink. The folks at Ste. Michelle also show the versatility of their sparkling wines by offering drink recipes using Michelle bubbles as the base. Their recipe for Banana Sparkler comes with a suggested pairing of chocolate-dipped Macadamia cookies.
Rating: Outstanding!
Production: 25,000 cases
Alcohol: 11%
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