Skip the champagne and prosecco; find your bubbles closer to home

By Kristen Kuchar

A bubbly, sparkling wine is the quintessential New Year’s Eve toast. But instead of picking up the usual go-to Champagne or Prosecco, why not try a locally made sparkling wine produced right here in Colorado?

The Grand Series | Carboy Winery
This year, Carboy Winery launched a line of sparkling wines – Grand Blanc De Blanc, Grand Brut Rose, Grand Cuvee, Grand Premier Blanc De Blanc, Grand Premier Brut Rose and Grand Rose. Each offers a different varietal makeup and notes, such as Grand Blanc De Blanc’s blend of orange muscat, riesling, albarino, roussanne, viognier, sauvignon blanc and pinot gris.

Rose with Bubbles | Centennial Cellars
Centennial Cellars makes a Rose with bubbles that is a blend of tempranillo and other grapes, which are 100% Colorado-grown on their farm. It’s a crisp wine with flavors of strawberry, raspberry and rhubarb.

2020 Blanc de Blancs | Aspen Peak Cellars
This sparkling wine from Aspen Peak Cellars is made with 100% Colorado-grown chardonnay. The refreshing, bubbly wine has notes of orange zest, green apple and brioche.

Sante Sparkling | Grande River Vineyards
Sante Sparkling is Grande River Vineyards sparkling wine made from riesling grapes. The Western Slope winery and vineyard also produces a wide variety of other styles, including sauvignon blanc, viognier and cabernet franc.

Sparklet | Sauvage Spectrum
Sauvage Spectrum has many sparkling wine options, including the popular Sparklet line. Some variations include Sparklet White, Candy Red, Rose and Off-Dry. The Off-Dry has tasty flavors of ripe apricot, nectarine, lemon and pear.

2022 Colorado Sparkling Blanc De Noirs | The Ordinary Fellow
The Ordinary Fellow is a winery and tasting room located in downtown Palisade. The Colorado Sparkling Blanc De Noirs has a bright acidity. Aromas are of brioche, macerated cherries, raw almonds and fresh strawberries.

Sparkling Muscat Blanc | Varaison Vineyards
Varaison Vineyards in Palisade produces a variety of unique wines, including a Sparkling Muscat Blanc. It’s described as a delicate sweetness along with notes that include citrus, tropical fruit and honeysuckle.

Method Champenoise Blanc de Blanc | Sweet Heart Winery
Sweet Heart makes this wine in the original French tradition. It has hints of fresh citrus rind with notes of pear and apple. Another bubbly option here is the semi-dry Method Champenoise Sparkling Rose with flavors of ripe strawberry and ruby red grapefruit.

Glug Glug | Buckel Family Wine
Glug Glug is a dry, white Pet Nat (naturally bubbly). It’s made with riesling grapes along with viognier grapes resulting in unique aromas of seashells, orange blossom and honey suckle. Another sparkling option from Buckel Family Wine is the Sparkling Rose made with viognier, syrah and merlot.

The Bubble Universe | Infinite Monkey Theorem
The Bubble Universe is a canned carbonated wine that is available in four-packs. Infinite Monkey Theorem made the wine with riesling grapes, and there are aromas of green apple, peach, lime and Meyer lemons, which are slightly sweeter than most lemons.