Welcome to part 7 of Bubbles for beginners. By now we have a good handle on how the bubbles come about, what brut means, and how to serve the bottle. Now comes the fun part: the bubbles out in the real world, for parties, celebrations and all the little occasions that deserve a glass.
Bubbles are, after all, the party's most reliable companion. In this part we look at how to choose the right bubbles for the occasion, how much you need so no one is left with an empty glass, and how to hit a style that suits both the occasion and your wallet.
What you will learn
- How to choose bubbles for different occasions
- How many bottles you need so the glasses are never empty
- How to find the balance between style and budget
- Why there is no single right choice, but many good ones
Bubbles belong at the party
There is something about bubbles that simply signals celebration. The sound when the cork lifts, the rising pearls in the glass, the cool freshness. It is hard to be in a bad mood with a glass of sparkling wine in hand.
And the clever thing is that bubbles go with almost everything. They are an obvious welcome drink, because they are light and fresh and put guests in the mood right away. They work as a toast for the speech. And they slide down just as well with the kransekage as with the first snack. If you can only choose one wine for a celebration, bubbles are rarely a wrong choice.
For New Year's and big celebrations
When the new year is to be ushered in, or a big event marked, many would like something with a little extra weight in the glass. This is where the sparkling wines made by the traditional method shine, where the second fermentation takes place in the bottle. It gives fine, persistent bubbles and the full notes of bread and brioche that many associate with proper celebration wine.
Champagne is the most famous of the kind and comes exclusively from the Champagne region in France. But you do not have to settle for that. Crémant is French sparkling wine made by the same traditional method, just outside Champagne, and Spanish cava is also made that way. Both give you the same style with depth and elegance.
If, on the other hand, you want something light, fruity and welcoming that lends itself to a happy, informal evening, then prosecco from Italy is a lovely choice. It is made by the tank method and has a fresh, fruity style that is easy to love.
How much do you need?
The big question before any party: how many bottles should I buy? A good rule of thumb is that one bottle is enough for around six small glasses, that is, welcome glasses or toast size.
If the bubbles are only to be used for the welcome or a single toast, you can count on one bottle covering a small handful of guests. If they are to be drunk all evening, you naturally need to increase the quantity. A little trick: rather buy a bottle or two too many. Unopened bottles do not go bad from waiting until the next occasion, and it is a shame to run dry in the middle of the party.
Remember also to serve the bubbles well chilled. A single bottle quickly gets cold in a bucket of ice water, but if you have many bottles, give them plenty of time in the fridge, or have a large bucket ready.
Style and occasion
There is no single right choice, but there are different styles that suit different moods. Think of it like this:
The informal party
Should the mood be light and happy, and will you be pouring for many? Then choose something fresh and fruity that is easy for everyone to drink, even those who do not drink much bubbly day to day. The fruity, cheeky style from the tank method fits nicely here, and it lets you be generous without blowing the budget.
The big occasion
If there is really something to celebrate, a milestone birthday, a wedding anniversary or New Year's Eve itself, then this is where you can go for the depth and elegance of the traditional method. The fine bubbles and the toasted, bready notes feel festive and give the glass a touch of ceremony.
A good tip about budget
You do not have to choose between style and budget as an either-or. A clever solution is to serve something fruity and welcoming for the welcome, where guests are busy greeting each other anyway, and then save the slightly fuller bottle for the toast or the dessert, where it gets to shine. That way you get both generosity and a festive highlight.
In short
- Bubbles suit almost any celebration and are an obvious welcome drink.
- For big occasions the traditional method gives depth and festive, bready notes. Champagne, crémant and cava belong here.
- If you want something light and fruity for many guests, prosecco is a lovely choice.
- Count on around six small glasses per bottle, and rather buy one bottle too many than one too few.
- You can combine the styles, so each part of the party gets the right glass.
Frequently asked questions
How many bottles should I buy for a welcome drink?
Count on around six small welcome glasses per bottle. So for a smaller party one bottle is enough for a small handful of guests. If the bubbles are to be drunk all evening, you need to multiply up, and it never hurts to have an extra bottle in reserve.
Does it always have to be champagne for New Year's?
Not at all. Champagne is festive, but crémant and cava are made by the same traditional method and give a similar style. If you want something lighter and fruity, prosecco is also a fine New Year's choice. The most important thing is that you choose something you like yourself.
Ready for the next step?
Now you can put the right bubbles on the table for any occasion. But what do you do with the bottles that are not to be drunk right now? In the next part, Storage and shelf life, we look at how to take good care of your bubbles, so they are in fine form when the party calls.
And remember: the best bottle for the party is the one you like yourself, together with the people and the food you love. Feel free to drop by our selection when you need to find the bubbles for your next celebration.