Thanksgiving through the end of December is the season of bubbles. One-third of all sparkling wines sold occur during the last month of the year. Unfortunately many of us don’t enjoy sparkling wine on a regular basis throughout the year so during the holidays we have some catching up to do. Additionally, as the holiday season brings us together with those we love through parties and intimate gatherings it is an ideal time to toast our blessings with a glass of bubbly. This month’s #WinePW is illuminating the joys of sparkling wine with hors d’oeuvre pairings.  If you see this early enough, please join us December 13th at 10 a.m. Central Time. We’ll be chatting on twitter at #WinePW about our creative holiday sparkling wine pairings. We’d love to have you join us!

Ferrari Perlé 2007 Blanc de Blanc DOC: The elegant wine poured a delicate gold into the glass. It was quite effervescent with bright aromas of orchard fruit, citrus and a touch of brioche. On the palate this delicately elegant wine offered flavors of crisp apples and pears with lemon custard and mascarpone along with a touch a honey and crème brulee. It was expressively light and refreshing with round acidity that lingered on the palate, begging for another sip. The Ferrari Perlé was crafted of 100% hand selected Chardonnay grapes from a hillside vineyard around Trento lying 300-700 meters above sea level. This blanc de blanc was made in the traditional champagne method, (for a clear understanding of this process see the 9 step infographic featured on Enobytes.com) and contained 12.5% alcohol. 91 pts Wine Spectator. SRP $35, to find this lovely sparkler near you click here. The Ferrari Perlé 2007 was a crowd pleaser among our guests and the bottle was quickly emptied. I recommend this wine!

With this article in mind, I chose to pair the Ferrari Perlé 2007 with a deliciously creamy appetizer, Creamy Brussel Sprouts Dip. Not only was the dip a delightful beginning to an evening of delicious food and wine, it was an excellent pairing with the sparkling wine. If you like artichoke and/or spinach dip you MUST try this dip. This dip was easy to make and a crowd pleaser. The creamy texture of the melted cheeses met beautifully with the round acidity of the Perlé. Furthermore, the elegantly crisp fruit flavors of the wine offered a harmonious blend with the savory Brussels sprouts, garlic, shallots and lemons. The crunch of the EVOO toasted crostini brought out the brioche quality of the Perlé. Overall, the savory dip was truly an outstanding pairing for the delicious Ferrari Perle 2007 that I would proudly pair and serve again and again.

Ferrari Trento was established more than a century ago in Italy’s northern region of Trentino and has earned worldwide recognition as the premiere producer of luxury Metodo Classico sparkling wines. Since 1902 Ferrari has maintained its authentic roots as a family owned company; now led by the 3^rd generation of the Lunelli family. While maintaining the family wine making traditions, today the family also incorporates modern practices, such as sustainable agriculture which is practiced in all the estate vineyards as well as their partners in vine growing families. Ferrari has always been a favored toast of Italy, featured in the home of the President of the Italian Republic, and was selected as the official toast to the 150^th anniversary of Italian Unification, as well as Oscar night parties, fashion events and athletic victories.

I would like to thank Gregory White PR for providing me a sample of the Ferrari Perlé 2007! To learn more about Gregory White PR visit their web site.

Here are additional ideas for sparkling wine and hors d’oeuvre pairings from the #WinePW group; try something new this year!
Bubbly for Bacon and Greens Dip by Cooking Chat
Piedmont Sparkling Nebbiolo & Pungent Anchovy Green Sauce by foodwineclick
New Year’s Sips and Nibbles: Segura Viudas Aria Cava with Oysters and Spanish Tapas by Confessions of a Culinary Diva
#WinePW 7 Butterflied Spicy Prawns and Treveri Sparkling Wine by Wild 4 Washington Wine
A Seasonal Nibbles Duet + Pear Valley Vineyard’s Frizzante Muscat by Culinary Adventures with Camilla
December #winePW, Appetizers served with a Sparkling Wine by A Day in the Life on the Farm
Cranberry Brie Biscuit Bites paired with a Sparkling Muscat by Curious Cuisiniere
Walnut Tart with Sparkling Brachetto d’Acqui by Vino Travels — An Italian Wine Blog
Domaine Meriwether Sparking Wine and Make Ahead Spanakopita by Tasting Pour
Wine and Dine: Anna de Cordoniu Brut NV and Herbed Parmesan Crisps (#WinePW) by Grape Experiences
Italian Sparkling Wine: Bubbly & Bacon #winePW by Girls Gotta Drink
Butternut and Bubbly:
Cinnamon Apple Butternut Squash Soup Shooters and Prosecco by It’s Okay to Eat the Cupcake
Smoked Salmon and Potato Chips with Louis Roederer Brut Premier Champagne by ENOFYLZ

Don’t forget to our Twitter chat today, December 13th at 10 a.m. Central Time. We’ll be talking about our tips and tricks for the best holiday wine pairings. We’d love to have you join us!

And, be sure to mark your calendars for January’s Wine Pairing Weekend, hosted by Christy at Confessions of a Culinary Diva. We’ll be sharing “New Wine Resolutions – Wine or Region you would like to explore in 2015.” Join the #WinePW  8 conversation on January 10.

My Song Selection: The song I have chosen to pair with Ferrari Perlé 2007 and December’s #WinePW is Holiday by Madonna. The holidays are about celebrating our blessings with our friends and family; sparkling wine is the ultimate celebratory wine and Ferrari’s Perlé is a luxurious addition to all your celebrations! So hurry and purchase several bottles, gather those you love and CELEBRATE!

Get your own bottle of Ferrari Perlé 2007 and let me know what song you would pair with it. Cheers!