Sparkling Gifts For the Host or Hostess

Hostess gifts are not obligatory, nor is the host or hostess expecting you'll arrive bearing one. But it doesn't mean they are not thoughtful or appreciated.

Wine is a highly appropriate hostess gift and it can certainly be tailored to the taste of your host. But remember, it's a gift for the host, not the people attending the party, so do not expect the host to open the wine you just gave; in fact, you should insist they put it away to enjoy on a future occasion.

Knowing what to bring is more of challenge, especially if you are not familiar with the kind of wine your host prefers. Today we offer the ultimate grape solution -- sparkling wine.

Sparkling wine was made to be a hostess gift. It is both festive and celebratory and, best of all, everyone should have a bottle of bubble in the house that they can quickly chill and serve, whenever required.

Finally, to make your offer sparkle, dress it festively in clear or coloured cellophane -- perfect to see the bottle -- and tie with ribbons of natural or coloured raffia.

Today's sparkling picks are made in the true champagne method; that is, the second fermentation takes place in the bottle you are buying, thus ensuring a high quality, tiny-bubbles sparkler that in today's case hails from California or Washington. See our British Columbia Wine of the Week on this page for my local pick.

Domaine Ste. Michelle Cuvee Brut from Washington's Columbia Valley is fine value bubble in a classy package. The mousse is small and refined and the nose a mix of floral, toasty, anise, green apple and peach aromas. It's dry crisp, elegant and fresh with honey, toasty baked apple, flavours. A fine, introductory style sparkler for any occasion.

The red grapes (pinot noir) in the Chandon Carneros Blanc de Noirs lend this California bubble a lovely pale salmon roe colour and a fresh raspberry-strawberry fruit mixed nose spiked with earthy elements. A richer, rounder, more full-bodied wine, this sparkler will pair with a variety of appetizers.

The Chandon California Brut Classic is amore elegant bubble with a fresh floral, pear, green-apple nose streaked with citrus fruit that jumps out of the glass. Elegant but rich and light, it has a fine creamy, toasty, peach finish with good acidity. Classy, clean and well balanced.

It was great to catch up with Roederer Estate Anderson Valley Brut after so many years. I just love the fresh lemon zest and green apple nose with the Mendocino "mineral" highlights and toasty aromas. It's dry and somewhat austere entry is laced with bright lemon, toasted, nut and baked green apple flavours. Fine elegance with creamy mousse textures but all in a much leaner style. Best served with oysters, razor clams and/or creamy seafood dishes.

Mumm Napa Brut Prestige is another bubble it's another reliable label to reach for. Look for green-apple, peach-pit aromas in what is a very crisp, dry, full -bodied sparkler. More green apple, floral, citrus, nutty, honey flavours mar the palate. Lean and toasty it has a certain sophistication for the price.

Roederer Estate L'Ermitage Brut 1999 is the property's tête de cuvée. We love the refined mousse and the honey, floral, toasted nut nose streaked with green apple skin and earthy, cherry, anise notes. It has a round, full-bodied style with great finesse and creamy mousse. A touch sweet but crisp with broad flavours of lemon zest, toasty, creamy, nutty, cherry with a fine undercurrent of earthy, anise and honey notes. Great style and length for California. Delicious. It's a pity you can find it only in restaurants and private wine shops.

DOMAINE STE. MICHELLE CUVEE BRUT N/V, COLUMBIA VALLEY, WASHINGTON

Price: $19.99

UPC: 88586642876

Score: 87/100

Remarks: Light, well-made, introductory style sparkler for any occasion.

CHANDON CARNEROS BLANC DE NOIRS N/V, CARNEROS, NAPA VALLEY, CALIFORNIA

Price: $27.95

UPC: 085155000037

Score: 88/100

Remarks: A richer more versatile (with food) bubble.

CHANDON CALIFORNIA BRUT CLASSIC N/V, CALIFORNIA

Price: $23.95

UPC: 085155000013

Score: 88/100

Remarks: Pear, green apple, creamy citrus fruit aromas.

ROEDERER ESTATE BRUT, ANDERSON VALLEY, MENDOCINO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

Price: $34.95 (private wine shops)

UPC: 097546102008

Score: 88/100

Remarks: Fine elegance with creamy mousse textures but quite lean.

MUMM NAPA BRUT PRESTIGE N/V, CALIFORNIA

Price: $25.99

UPC: 852832000150

Score: 88/100

Remarks: Crisp, full, round palate with apple, floral, citrus, nutty, honey flavours.

ROEDERER ESTATE L'ERMITAGE BRUT 1999, ANDERSON VALLEY, MENDOCINO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

Price: $65 (private wine shops)

UPC: 097546152898

Score: 92/100

Remarks: Great style and length for California. Delicious.