Here is no New Year Eve’s party without some bubbles in the glass! Sparkling wines are not only impressive in appearance but they are also wonderful to drink. We will give you some tips on how to choose sparkling wines for your party and then we will show you how to make two impressive cocktails.

Dry Sparkling Wines
Champagne: The queen of bubbles! With French origin and elegance, it's always a great choice for a glamorous party. In the market you will find champagne at various prices, depending on the year or its Chateau. Enjoy champagne as an aperitif as well as during a party to accompany all kinds of canapes, since champagne can be enjoyed with all flavours!
Prosecco: An italian sparkling wine. Prosecco is usually cheaper than champagne. Can be enjoyed as an aperitif but can also be drunk with canapés, cheeses and charcuterie - especially prosciutto -, dishes with creamy sauces, bruschettas with tomato and basil etc.

Cava: A sparkling wine from Spain, that is not so well known in Cyprus as champagne and prosecco. This value for money sparkling wine, is ideal as an aperitif or as accompaniment to cheeses, dishes with creamy sauces, seafood and vegetables.

Sparkling wines of the world: Dry sparkling wines are made in many more parts of the world. For instance in France, outside the Champagne region (known as Cremant),in  South Africa (called Cap Classique) even in Greece. Make sure it is dry, for example with brut,or extra brut indication.

Semi-sweet and Sweet Sparkling Wines
These sparkling wines that are sweeter from the wines of the previous category are particularly enjoyable. In the Cypriot market you can find types and varieties of semi sweet and sweet sparkling wines such as Moscato d 'Asti, Brachetto, Lambrusco and Malvasia. Enjoy them as an aperitif or with light creamy sweets.

Bubbly cocktails for your party!

Kir Royale

One of the most famous cocktails made with champagne. Instead of champagne you can also use another dry sparkling wine.

Ingredients

3 to 4 tbsps Crème de Cassis, Crème de Framboise or Chambord
1  bottle dry sparkling wine or Champagne, chilled
1/4 cup fresh or frozen raspberries

Method
Add 2 - 3 tsps Crème de Cassis to each flute. Drop in 3 to 4 raspberries. Fill each flute with sparkling wine. Serve immediately.

Sbagliato

If you like negroni, then you will love this cocktail, where gin is replaced by prosecco.

Ingredients

120 ml Prosecco

30 ml sweet vermouth

15 ml Campari

Soda

Ice cubes

Lime wheels, for garnish

Method

In a wine glass with ice, pour prosecco. Add sweet vermouth, Campari, stir and top up with soda. Garnish with a lime wheel.