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The bottle: Sokol Blosser Bluebird Cuvée Sparkling Wine, $28
The back story: Ah, the great locales of the world to seek out for a bottle of bubbly to toast the New Year. Say, France for its Champagne. Or Italy for its Prosecco.
Or Oregon for its Bluebird Cuvée.
OK, the latter is a slight exaggeration. But in recent years, Oregon has become better known for its wines in general — sales increased by 12.4% in 2018, according to one report, including its sparkling offerings.
And that’s where Sokol Blosser, an Oregon winery whose history goes back to the early ’70s, enters the picture. It has been making sparkling wine for about a decade. More recently, it launched the Bluebird Cuvée, a wine that reflects its commitment to sustainable practices. Sokol Blosser offers shelter and a breeding habitat to the western bluebird on its property, which has 15 bird houses.
The wine itself is produced in the classic, time-consuming method as Champagne itself is made. And like much of Champagne, it is a blend of different grapes — in this case, sourced primarily from Oregon with a small amount from neighboring Washington state.
What we think about it: This is a palate-pleasing sparkler on the slightly sweeter side with bright flavors of citrus and pears. Not a wine you need to contemplate so much as enjoy in the moment — in other words, a fine bottle for your New Year’s celebration.
How to enjoy it: The Bluebird Cuvée is perfect to sip on its own, but the Sokol Blosser team says it goes well with many a dish, from oysters on the half shell to French fries.
