Effervescent Travels: Altra Winery in Napa

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I am feeling a bit wistful. This time last year I was preparing to embark on a marvelous week-long visit to Napa, California and I was absolutely giddy with excitement. It was a girls trip–I was traveling with one of my wine-loving girlfriends, and the plan was to experience as much relaxation and wine country…

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Fizzy Friday Fab Four Links Round-up: July Champagne & Food News Edition

Moet Watermelon Mint Mojito

Is it just me, or does the intensity to eat and drink well intensify during the summer? I chalk it up to the fact that people are generally feeling more social and convivial during the warmer months. After all, with all of the hanging out pool side; summer holidays; picnics; celebrations; and gatherings, food and…

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Independence Day, the Remix: Host a French-Inspired Bastille Day Party

Bastille Day (great table display w cheese)

Didn’t get your party on quite enough in celebrating the red, white and blue? How about celebrating the bleu, blanc, and rouge as a festive reprise? Although we Americans certainly know how to revel in our Independence Day festivities, the French aren’t too shabby in hosting their own independence holiday festivities called Bastille Day. It…

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Fab Four For Friday Links Round-up: Champagne on Ice Edition

Moet Ice Imperial Bubbles Bar Liverpool

Just in time for your Fourth of July holiday grilling activities are some “hot links” {Get it? Hot links? People barbecue for the 4th? Ah hell, never mind.} for your long weekend reading pleasure. I just made a post on Instagram this week about trying Moet Ice Impérial for the very first time and then, as kismet…

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Will Travel For Champagne: A Night of Champagne With The “Nuit du Champagne” Tour

Nuit du Champs created pic

What do you do when you’re a staunch believer in, and advocate of, the philosophy of convincing more people that they should be drinking more champagne more often? If you’re The Bubbleista you get wine education and certification; host champagne tastings; drink bubbly every week {strictly for learning purposes, of course}; write blog posts about champagne and…

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Stop and Smell the Rosés! The Bubbleista’s Rosé picks of the Season, PART 1

Rose Chateau Thuerry

The weather has gotten warmer… The sun is making regular appearances… Sleeves–and hemlines–are getting shorter… Thoughts are irresistibly turning to sitting pool and ocean-side… Yep, it’s officially rosé season! I attended my 1st {of many!} rosé wine tasting of the season recently and came across some real gems! I’m always delighted by the fact that there are always…

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Fizz Friday Fab Four Links Roundup

{image courtesy MarthaStewart.com}

Happy #FizzFriday, darlings! Check out this week’s links round-up with the latest and great info, tidbits, and fun going on in the world of champagne and sparkling wine! {1} Italian Police Uncover Counterfeit Champagne Scheme Champagne Industry Rule no. 4080, Champagne counterfeiters are shaaaadddyyyy {classic hip-hop lovers will get that reference}. This story is proof positive…

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Wine Wednesday Wordologie: “V” is for “Vintage”

The elusive, often heard of but seldom seen 1985 Rare Vintage Rosé {photo © Jamie Glover Dabbs}

Have you ever looked at a champagne label, seen the word “vintage,” and thought to yourself “Why in the world would I want to drink wine that was 20 or 25 years old?” Couture lovers know that the typical rule is that clothing is considered vintage once it hits the 25-year mark. But we’re talking…

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Fizz Friday Prosecco Facts & Find: Cavicchioli 1928

Cavicchioli bottle in hand

Hello bubbly lovers! Today’s Fizz Friday post is a bit of a mashup between a Fizz Friday link round-up and a Fizz Friday Find by combining the 2 into 1 Prosecco post…a bubbly hybrid, if you will. The lone round-up link comes to us from one of my favorite reads, the champagne and sparkling wine bi-monthly magazine known…

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Fizz Friday: Let’s “Hava” Little Cava

I'm in love...with a  rosé! {image © Davon D. E. Hatchett}

It’s Friday, and that means time to talk fizz! In this week’s #WineWednesday #Wordologie I wrote about the lovely Spanish sparkling wine made in the traditional champagne method style, cava. So now that Wordologie has taught you all about this type of bubbly, let’s get down to the nitty gritty of what #FizzFriday is about and…

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Welcome to The Bubbleista’s New “Fizz Friday” Series!

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Welcome to “Fizz Friday,” a new post series focused on the fizzy goodness you and I both love: champagne and sparkling wine. Beginning today, and most Fridays thereafter, I plan to focus posts on my champagne and sparkling wines discoveries and tasting notes; champagne cocktail recipes {both my original concoctions and some I’ve discovered}; interesting tidbits in the world of bubbly;…

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A Dozen Rosés for Your Valentine

Glasses of rose wine

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and all over the world florists are in full-on hustling mode trying to fulfill the quadrillion orders for floral arrangements that are being made around the clock, especially requests for the quintessential bouquets of pink and red roses. You know what though? I say who needs a dozen roses…

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