The holidays are a time when sparkling wines get to shine. From classic Champagne to Prosecco and sparklers from England and the United States, it is a style that has been mastered around the globe. Below are the top sparkling wines from Ultimate Wine Challenge 2018 from 5 countries.
American brandy tends to take a back seat to European expressions, but things are changing. The Argonaut line from California exemplifies just how capable the United States is of producing world class brandy. With high scores of 95 and 92 Points, these are a sign of what is to come from the domestic brandy market.
Dessert wine continues to gain favor among new and younger drinkers, albeit slowly. Especially alongside a cheese plate, there are few pleasures that compare to a beautifully balanced sweet wine. The holiday season and cold weather offer even more encouragement to sink into one of these treasures, the top 6 of 2018’s Ultimate Wine Challenge, all scoring over 90 Points.
Amari are bitter liqueurs, traditionally from Italy, that combine plant botanicals into a sweet-bitter elixir. Originally developed to aid the digestion, they are now a prominent part of beverage programs across the world, beloved for their layers of complex flavor. Each product is unique, often boasting undisclosed ingredients in order to keep proprietary recipes secret. These are the top scoring amari from 2018’s Ultimate Spirit Challenge.