2022 began with an ambitious resolution to drink a glass (or just a sip) of sparkling wine daily. The idea came to me when I read an article in The New York Times about a former pro soccer player who became a run streaker (no, not the kind of streaker you’re thinking of!). Apparently, run streaking is a sport and refers to someone who runs every day for a designated period of time—even five to ten minutes a day qualifies.

I figured if you can streak for running, you can streak for just about anything, sports-related or not. I was already a Duolingo streaker (then on my 405th day of studying Italian and French) and an 8-cup-a-day-water-drinker, what else would I like to streak?

Sparkling wine came to mind. I’ve noticed that in Europe, many occasions start with glasses of effervescent wine, making any day feel like a special occasion. Something about tongue-tingling bubbles makes an evening feel more lively. I was excited for my year as a bubbly streaker. Unfortunately, my resolve only lasted about 10 days because, well, there are just so many other types of wines to be tasted. It was hard to keep popping bottles of bubbly night after night.

But don’t get me wrong, I still indulged in many glasses of sparkling wine during 2022, even if I don’t qualify as a streaker.

Here are 25 of the tastiest, hailing from Austria to the USA, with stops in England, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain along the way.

Austria, Kamptal, and Burgenland

Loimer Brut Rosé Reserve ($35). Loimer Rosé comes from biodynamically-farmed vineyards in the Kamptal region. Made from a blend of Zweigelt and Pinot Noir, this gorgeous traditional method rosé has zippy acidity, delicate wild red berry and citrus fruit notes, and a slight yeastiness. Goes perfectly with whole baked fish in a salt crust and roasted winter vegetables.

Meinklang Prosa Sparkling Rosé 2021 ($20). An amazing sparkling wine from Burgenland, Austria, fresh, lively, and full of red fruits (strawberries and raspberries). Of the cow on the label, the winery says, “Cows are the key element in biodynamic farming and complete the ecological circle. They are the source of nutritious fertilizer for all of our vineyards. Lively soil and harmonious vine metabolism are a central focus of our farming practices.”

England, Kent

Gusbourne Estate Brut Reserve 2018 ($65). Due to global temperature increases, England, a country once too cold for grape growing, has evolved into an award-winning wine region, known especially for its traditional-method sparkling wine. With stunning aromas of brioche, red apple, toffee, and toast, its richness is backed up by a zingy acidity, making it a great partner to rich cheeses, fish, fowl, and meats.
Read more about Gusbourne Estate here.

France, Champagne

Leclerc Briant Grand Blanc de Blancs 2014 ($219). Leclerc Briant, a small Champagne house, makes some of the region’s most stunning wines, all of them with laser like focus and bright acidity. The 2014 Grand Blanc de Blancs zero dosage is no exception. Mouthwatering rich, ripe fruits like pineapple, yellow apple, passion fruit and, citrus, as well as a touch of buttery brioche. The wine’s great freshness and minerality (salinity) and extremely long finish make it worth every penny!
Pierre Gimonnet Blanc de Blancs Brut ($50). 100% Chardonnay, this is a “go-to” grower Champagne. Always stunning, full of citrus, pear, and floral aromas balanced by a perfect amount of yeastiness. A very fine Champagne for all occasions.
Piper-Heidsieck Rosé Sauvage Champagne ($65). An 85% Pinot Noir/15% Meunier blend, this dark orangy pink-colored wine is crisp and robust, bursting with juicy strawberry, raspberry, tangerine, and pink grapefruit flavors. The delicate bubbles carry hints of brioche all the way to the finish line. Delicious with smoked salmon crème fraîche toasts.
Vilmart Grand Cellier d’Or Brut Champagne 2016 ($115). With a fabulous linear, lemony acidity running straight down the tongue, this crisp Champagne is a superb counterpoint to rich foods, especially seafood like lobster, oysters, and caviar.

France, Loire Valley

Amirault Crémant de Loire ($39.99). This refined and graceful 60/30/10 blend of Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Franc hails from certified organic and biodynamic vineyards. The tiny bubbles tickle your tongue while bright, balanced flavors of lemon, green apple, dried herbs, and brioche, and refreshing acidity, dance inside your mouth.

Francois et Julien Pinon Pétillant Naturel Brut ($29.99). Delicate aromas of apples, strawberries, and white flowers, along with good acidity, make this dry and crisp pét-nat makes it a winner at the table.

Germany, Baden

Enderle & Moll Propeller Pét-Nat 2020 ($27). A buzzy organic and biodynamic winery, revered by in-the-know wine buffs, this excellent pét-nat is bright and focused, with notes of lemon, lime, grapefruit, green apple, peach, dried apricot, and almond. Soft bubbles, a grippy mouthfeel, and well-structured. Try it with grilled sausages, vegetables, seafood, and roast chicken.

Italy, Emilia-Romagna

Cleto Chiarli Vecchia Modena Lambrusco di Sorbara Secco ($18). Founded in 1860, Cleto Chiarli winery is the oldest producer of Lambrusco in Emilia-Romagna, Italy. A Sobara style (read about the styles of Lambruscos here), gorgeous reddish-pink and deliciously tangy with notes of just barely ripe raspberries, strawberries, and citrus fruits; fine, persistent bubbles and solid tannic structure make it an excellent match for fried foods like zucchini, calamari, fish and chips, but also sushi.

Lini 910 Lambrusco dell’Emilia ($19). Deep purple red with both bright berry notes (dark cherry, ripe plum) and earthy elements like leather and tobacco. Balanced, light, and with a lively effervescence. Great with pasta and pizza.
Medici Ermete Concerto Reggiano Lambrusco 2020 ($24). A classic deep, inky-purple, black-fruited Lambrusco, delicious with barbecued meats and cheeses and rich fish like salmon and swordfish. One of the top producers of Lambrusco.
Read more about Lambrusco wine here.

Italy, Veneto

Bellenda 1986 Metodo Rurale Così È 2021 ($16). A unique sparkling Colli Trevigiani IGT made from one of the top Prosecco Valdobbiadene producers using Glera grapes with a second fermentation inside the bottle. This natural wine has zero added sulfites and has not been filtered. Very dry, with hints of yeast, and a bit of sediment in the bottle. So flavorful! Pairs well with salami, cheese, and a crusty loaf of bread. To get the most of the subtly complex aromas, don’t serve it too cold.

Italy, Valdobbiadene Prosecco

Adami Col Credas Rive di Farra di Soligo Valdobbiadene Extra Brut 2019 ($26). This exceptional Prosecco comes from a single steep vineyard in the renowned Valdobbiadene area. Extra Brut means a bit dryer on the palate than a Brut Prosecco. Elegant, with a pale straw color and fine bubbles, its fruity notes combined with hints of honey, toast, and oyster shells give the wine a lovely complexity Dry and crisp, serve as an aperitif with cheeses, shellfish, or chicken topped with tomatoes and basil.
Valdo 10 Valdobbiadene 2019 ($). Floral, fresh and fruity aromas of lemon, grapefruit, green apple, and jasmine flowers. Dry and crisp, with refreshing acidity on the palate. Subtly flavored, yet leaves behind a delicious taste of strawberry cream. After the initial foam settles down, the tiny, elegant bubbles pair well with everything from hard cheeses to sushi and baked seafood.

Italy, Piedmont

Enrico Serafina Oudeis Alta Langa Rosé ($31). Alta Langa was the first sparkling wine region of Italy, created in the early 1800s. Enrico Serafino’s Oudeis Rosé is one of its finest and most complex examples, with impressive acidity, subtle fresh fruit notes, and a hint of toast. Pair with pork tenderloin in a rosemary cream sauce.
Terrabianca Vignot Moscato d’Asti ($16). Fresh, lively, lean, and lightly sweet, it bursts with fresh ripe fruit flavors like apricots and pineapple. The bright acidity gives the wine a lovely tanginess while the tiny bubbles “sting” your tongue.
Vietti Moscato d’Asti 2021 ($16). Vietti winery is recognized as a standard bearer of excellence in Piedmont, particularly revered for its Cru Barolo. Their Moscato d’Asti, made from old vine Moscato Bianco grapes, is one of the best examples on the market: lightly sweet, lightly sparkling (frizzante) with low alcohol (5%), perfectly balanced by lemony acidity. Truly yummy! Try it with grilled sage-wrapped shrimp (as I did in Piedmont) a great match! Of course, it can also go with desserts, especially lighter fruit-based tarts.
Read more about Moscato d’Asti here.

Italy, Trentodoc

Maso Martis Extra Brut Rosé ($27). Made with organically grown Pinot Nero (Pinot Noir) grapes, this dry, delicious classical method sparkling wine comes from the mountainous Trentodoc area of Trentino in northeastern Italy. Intense and fruity bouquet (strawberries, currants, raspberries) with hints of almond and yeast; fresh and lively, ideal for the aperitif, and with fish, pasta, and roasted vegetables. Read more about Trentodoc wines here.

Spain

Roger Goulart Reserva Cava Brut 2018 ($20). Clean and crisp, with tiny, delicate bubbles and pure flavors of green apple, pear, honey, and brioche. Perfect on its own as an aperitif, it would also go well with antipasti like Spanish cheeses, cured meats, and green olives or with crispy sautéed salmon and broccoli rabe. Read more about this top-notch Cava here.

Vilarnau Brut Reserva Cava ($13). An aromatic wine: tropical and citrus fruit notes, crisp apple, ripe pear, hints of toast. Made from a blend of native Spanish grapes, this fruity yet well-balanced, flavorful wine is a delight. Made with organic grapes.

USA, Long Island, New York

RGNY Sparkling Riesling Scielo 2020 ($25). A mouthwatering Long Island sparkling wine, Dry with floral and fruity notes of kiwi and lime, tiny, delicate bubbles, and a long, delicious finish reminiscent of a honeyed beer.
Sparkling Pointe Topaz Impérial Rosé ($30). Well-balanced, with fine bubbles and just the right amount of fruit, acidity, and biscuity flavors, along with a long finish. This bubbly could pair well with an entire meal, from appetizers (cheeses, meats, seafood crudo) to the main course (salmon or grilled pork).
Read more about Long Island wine country here.

USA, Napa Valley, California

Priest Ranch Brut Rosé 2018 ($60). Napa Valley is not only for big, bold Cabernet Sauvignons and rich Chardonnays. There are also some pretty fantastic bubbles coming from America’s most famous wine appellation. This traditional-method sparkling wine, while crafted from Syrah, a Rhône Valley favorite, it comes from vineyards that are high up in the eastern hills of the Napa Valley. Dry, crisp, and mineral, bursting with bold, juicy fruit flavors like strawberry, cherry, and peach, this sparkling is no wallflower! Pair with shellfish or chicken Francese.

USA & Spain

Vara Silverhead Brut ($25). An exciting mix of grapes from two countries, the U.S. and Spain: 72% Chardonnay and 3% Syrah from Washington State’s Ancient Lakes AVA and 25% Xarel-lo and Macabeo from Spain’s Alt Penedès DO, made in New Mexico in the traditional-method style. Mouthwateringly crisp with fine bubbles and hints of brioche and honey. Super elegant and tasty!