What I’m Drinking Now: Sommelier Jason Hisaw Says Break Out the Champagne Flutes

The holidays have come and gone. New Year’s Eve is a blurry memory. When is the next best occasion to open some bubbles?

How about tonight?

There’s always a good reason to open a bottle of sparkling wine, and you don’t have to wait until Valentine’s Day, either.

I scoured a few shops around town last week looking for something fun and new. Here are three good finds.

Pogo’s (Lovers Lane and Inwood Road) was selling an amazing non-vintage Rose from a magnificent producer, Nicolas Feuillatte. At $49.99, I think it’s a strong buy.

At Costco, I discovered a great buy on a bottle from one of my favorite small “estate” houses,  Pierre Peters. It’s a non-vintage blanc de blanc Grand Cru from Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, in the Champagne region of France. Go get it–at $39.99, it’s a steal. I bought a few bottles and now wish I had picked up even more.

And at the Centennial Liquor store on West Northwest Highway, I spied a 2003 Schramsberg Cremant Demi-Sec. A slightly unusual wine made from mostly Flora grapes, which are an unusual cross of Semillon & Gewurztraminer. $29.99. I’d say it’s worth a try.

With the next cold chill, orange sunset, warm evening, rain shower or clear sky, break out the flutes again. Because, really, what are you waiting for?

Hisaw is certified by the Court of Master Sommeliers as an Advanced Level Sommelier. He is a member of the wine team at Pappas Bros. Steakhouse in Dallas and writes for EscapeHatchDallas.com.