Break out the bubbly!  New Year’s Eve is the night that champagne takes center stage.  Although there are many sparkling wines made all over the world, to be called Champagne, the wine must be produced in the Champagne region of France.   Blanquette de Limoux, the oldest recorded sparkling wine, was invented in 1531 by Benedictine Monks in the Abbey of Saint Hilaire in France, debunking the myth that Dom Perignon invented sparking wine. 

According to Steve Berry, Owner of the Park Avenue Wine Bar, one of the latest trends in champagne is grower-produced Champagnes. “Instead of selling all of their grapes to other champagne makers, growers are directly producing Champagne from the grapes they grow.  Joël Falmel and Nicholas Feuillatte are two good grower-produced Brut Champagnes we carry at the Wine Bar.” 

If you are headed downtown this year, Pops for Champagne is one of my favorite places to grab a glass of the bubbly. They offer over 100 bottles of champagne and sparkling wines.  Located on State Street, Pops offers a great atmosphere with shared plates, a raw bar, desserts and great entertainment.  

So as we close out this year, a champagne toast to your intentions for the new year:

Follow your bliss and may your dreams come true.

Your friends be plenty and your sorrows few.

A year that is filled with laughter and love is my hope for you for the year anew.

Cheers to 2011!