Holiday Gift Guide 2019: 8 Excellent Blanc de Blancs Champagnes

Forbes has rounded up their shortlist of eight top blanc de blanc champagnes to inspire holiday toasting, gifting and meal pairing.  There is a great overview of how these 100% Chardonnay grape champagnes are differentiated from more common blends, and how terrific they are when enjoyed with a huge range of fun holiday bites. Writer Karla Alindahao highlights the Champagne Ayala Le Blanc de Blancs 2013, noting “As with all Ayala Champagnes, the maison’s blanc de blancs is characterized by vibrancy and freshness—clean, bright, and tastes of life. And that’s all because of cellar master Caroline Latrive’s genius.” In terms of what makes this wine stand out, she continues “Not a lot is made because Ayala only creates blanc de blancs during good vintage years—from grapes in grand cru vineyards. But what really differentiates it from the rest is that it is quite the fizz bomb. It’s as bubbly as a Champagne can get. So if extra effervescence is what you’re after, this is the one for you. A bonus: You can leave the bottle uncovered over the course of a meal (as I have done for the sake of experimentation) and you will not see bubbles dissipate.” Read more about this wine and her other recommendations HERE