What are you toasting in the New Year 2012 with ?

In Spain, since the early 1900s, it has been Tradition to toast in the New Year with a Cava or Champagne, or other sparkling beverage of choice ( Asturian Cider for those unable to consume alcohol ) and have 12 white grapes at exactly 12am, an idea which had come about due to the surplus of grapes in the Alicante and Valencia regions ...

In Italia, lentils are eaten at 12am and in Portugal 12 raisins ... With this in mind, how do you bring in the New Year ? 

Furthermore, here are 3 Champagne suggestions ranging in price from 10 Euros to 50 Euros:

1)  Perrier Jouet´s Belle Epoque ( lovely, light Champagne however, pricey ) : this is an elegant sparkling Brut straw blonde champagne ideal for all your New Year´s Eve sipping.

2) Mont Marcal, an Extra dry Rosé pairs wonderfully with Iberian Ham, Foie Gras and Proscuitto Di Palma.

3) Pierre I : Also a Rosé color Champagne, which pairs well with almost all appetisers one can be offered on the 31st or anytime of the year.

Happy Holidays to all,

Margcata.

Krug Champagne hails from one of the oldest Champagne producers in France however, this does not mean it is an A Plus ( excellent ) harvest either, as they vary yearly and they could range from poor to excellent ( cosechas ). Since, I hadn´t had the one Linda bought,  and there are so many uncountable varieties under one brand, and judging from the price --- well, it is quite a pricey brand at least online --- I know, u have a good wine ( grape ) palate, so I shall take ur word for it -- that this Krug is not bad, however, not spectacular or extraordinaire ... I had gone to the Champagne Salon held here in the Autumn ( it is every autumn - Bacchus Awards ), and the one I truly enjoyed is noted above --- My viewpoint now is: Belle Epoque ... Light and lovely ... truly an elegance sip ...

I like Champagne however, price wise, it is pricey ... Nice for the 24th, 25th and 31st and 1st ...

However, Sant Sadurni D´ Anoia Cavas like Juve y Camps is splendid too. Canadian Ice wines are wonderful too, however, due to limited Boutique production, they run pricey. I had read that Sweden is in process of a harvest and Norway as well. I shall follow it up and keep you posted.

Happy Holidays.

Margcata.  

@Durangojo,

Thanks for replying ...

I am going to be having Perret Jouet Belle Epoque, a French Champagne to toast in the new year with the 12 green grapes, a tradition here in Spain.

My Gent ( pareja ) gifted me with a bottle of :  Designation Niagara, Ontario Icewine called Peller Estates Dessert Icewine ... The Riesling. This is quite a fragrant floral and fruity variety which pairs perfectly with A to Z " La Dolce Vita ".

The other two varieties produced by this wine estate are the : Vidal Blanc and the Cabernet Franc.

It is also lovely with fresh sea scallops which is one of the starters ...

Working ?  I am sure that there are many people doing same and so, enjoy the time with ur co-workers ... and take a 12am break ...

Margcata.

@Pohaku,

Thanks for contributing to this thread ...

Had a lovely Sardinian produced Port last week at a lovely Sardinian and regional Italian Trattoria here in Madrid Capital ... Truly splendid after dinner digestive ...

However, surely a delight for a toast too !  The restaurant is called:  Scatto Matto = Check Mate ... Lovely place owned by an innovative Sardinian who has several trattorias here in Madrid.

I have to call Ignazio Deias for the name of the Sardinian Port we sipped ... Shall do when I return from Malta ...

Happy Holidays.

Margcata. 

@Durangojo,

Sparkling Cava Wines are produced in the Designation of Sant Sadurni D Anoia, in Alt Pendes in the Barcelona province of Catalonia, in northeast Spain. Thus, it is a very common Hotel service to offer superb SPA treatments to their guests including: Cava baths and chockfill their Jacuzzis with Cabernet Sauvignon red wine and while lounging, to sip same !  My Gent and I, have had some unforgettable heavenly moments and It works wonders on one´s skin too ...

The Can Bonastre Spa is located in Masquefa, which is 30 km from Barcelona Centre.

Also, upon arriving at Marqués de Riscal Hotel Spa, in La Rioja Alavesa in the southeastern Basque Country, I had seen Gwyenth Paltrow and Chef Mario Batali who were also doing journalistic activities for their t.v. programme " On The Road Again "  ... and the Grape Tempranillo skin treatments were wonderful too.

so, enjoy,

Have fun and a wonderful 2012.

Margcata

@Durangojo,

To enjoy the flavours of life, swirl the glass, take in the aromas of the bouquet and take slow sips ...  

We are off for Valletta, Malta for a few days stay, a mix of unwinding and professional ... I always write about my epicurean escapes ...

Happy New Year once again,

Margcata