Madonna might be able to swing for Krug with her fries, but for the rest of us, there are plenty of great sparkling wines outside of Champagne to take on the fried foods of summer. We looked over the results of 10 years of our tastings—some 1,330 bubblies (leaving aside an equal number of Champagnes)—and came up with a list of 25 consistently delicious sparklers, most of them remarkably affordable, including these eight summertime refreshers. Pop a cork for anything from fried clams on the Maine shore to takeout fried chicken.
APHROS
PORTUGUESE PET-NAT FOR BACALHAO FRITTERS
- Vinho Verde Phaunus Pét-Nat $25
- Vinho Verde Bruto Reserva Loureiro $20
Imported from Portugal by Skurnik Wines & Spirits, NY
COL VETORAZ
CRISP HIGH-ALTITUDE PROSECCO FOR HAM ARANCINI
- Valdobbiadene Prosecco Brut $25
- Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore di Cartizze Dry $45
Imported from Italy by Regal Wine Imports, Moorestown, NJ
FULL-BODIED AMERICAN BUBBLY FOR KUNG PAO CHICKEN
- American Sparkling Blanc de Noirs $17
- American Sparkling Brut $17
Gruet Winery, Albuquerque, NM
FUN, FOAMY CREMANT DE LIMOUX FOR FRIES WITH MAYO
- Crémant de Limoux Brut Rosé $20
- Crémant de Limoux Brut $20
Imported from France by Taub Family Selections, Boca Raton, FL
BRISK, CLEAN CAVA WITH THE DEPTH FOR FRIED HADDOCK
- Cava Tresor Reserva Brut $17
- Cava Tresor Rosé Brut $17
Imported from Spain by Palm Bay Int’l, Port Washington, NY
KARANIKA
LEAN, COOL GREEK SPARKLING FOR FRIED ANCHOVIES
- Amyndeon Brut Rosé $35
- Amyndeon Brut Cuvée Spéciale $35
Imported from Greece by Verity Wine Partners, NY
RIDGEVIEW
CHALK-GROWN BRITISH BUBBLY FOR CLAM STRIPS
- English Sparkling Brut Blanc de Noirs $95
- English Sparkling Brut Cavendish $56
Imported from England by Banville Wine Merchants, NY
ALL-AMERICAN NORTH COAST SPARKLING FOR NASHVILLE HOT CHICKEN
- North Coast Blanc de Blancs $41
- California Mirabelle Brut $29
Schramsberg Vineyards, Calistoga, CA
Our Crushable Sparklers brands outperformed the competition for affordability and quality in the past 10 years of our tastings. After our editors made their selections, we offered wineries the opportunity to promote their recognition with a bottle image and link to their site.
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This story appears in the print issue of August 2020.
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