We're connecting digitally more and more these days, and now we're often doing so over a glass of wine. Bubbly lifts the spirit, making this post on a wide array of sparkling wine styles rather timely. Here's to you and yours!

92
Adami 2018 Valdobbiadene Prosecco Vigneto Giardino Rive di Colbertaldo Asciutto $22
While light and easy-breezy on the palate, this smart bottling shouldn't be underestimated. It is full of complexity and contrasts. It's flavorful yet delicate. It's superbly balanced with vivid acidity yet it's moreish with a whispy sweetness. Laced with mineral tones and pear slices on the nose, the palate blends sherbet and cantalope flavors with fine bubbles. As it promises on the label, the wine is definitely "asciutto", or refreshing. Vigneto Giardino was the first single vineyard Prosecco ever made, over 85 years ago, and the family purchased the vineyard 100 years ago in 2020.
Drink: 2020-22

92
Charles Heidsieck NV Champagne Brut $69
Bright and light, this Champagne is so well balanced that it almost feels weightless. Its nose is chalky, lemony and briochey. It has the lightest baguette crust character on the acidity-sculpted palate that carries the finish into layers of minerally tones as the multitude of tiny bubbles fade. Elegant as ever, this is a beautiful Champagne to sip, but it also works incredibly well at the table.
Drink: 2020-24 

90
Adami NV Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Extra Dry Dei Casel $20
Dei Casel is the nickname of the Adami family. Tasting this Valdobbiadene, it's easy to understand why they are proud to name it so. The wine is irresistible. It shows lusher, riper fruit - especially within the range of Glera flavors, including nectarine, persimmon and cherimoya. The evident sweetness is brilliantly countered by thirst-quenching acidity and tiny cleansing bubbles. Its sass and vibrancy are head turning, but don't miss noticing the thrilling layers of diverse flavors and very long, mineral-laced finish. 
Drink: 2020-21 

90
Cleto Chiarli NV Lambrusco di Sorbara Secco Vecchia Modena Premium Mention Honorable $16
This luminescent pink bubbly is high on aromatics and vibrantly youthful flavors. It's lingering flavors of watermelon and strawberry candies and are accompanied by deeply mineral tones on the moderate finish. This dances with youthful vitality on the palate, bringing brilliantly balanced and moderate-bodied refreshment. The bubbles feel a bit chunky, making them all the better to wash down tasty aperitivo morsels. This wine's label and bottle are reproductions of the oldest existing bottle of Lambrusco from 1892!
Drink: Through 2020

89
Adami NV Valdobbiane Prosecco Superiore Brut Bosco di Gica $20
Zippy, crunchy and focused, this is a minerally bottling with flavors of green pear, peach and yellow plum skin. The slightly noticeable mid-palate heft and creaminess may come from the single digit dollop of Chardonnay. The lingering yeastiness on the medium finish makes this a nice accompaniment to lighter pasta dishes.
Drink: Through 2020 

89
Bibi Graetz NV Bollamatta $26
Meaning 'crazy bubble", the Bollamatta is a boisterously fruit-forward, sparkling Sangiovese with a nip of sweetness. Indeed, the bubbles are a bit crazy; they almost snap on the palate! The array of flavors range from early summer strawberries and red currants to kumquat and blood orange. This is a tantazling quaffer that tastes of la dolce vita. 
Drink: Through 2020

88
Cleto Chiarli NV Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro Brut Vigneto Cialdini $17
Just plain ole' fun, this darkly colored, moderately-bodied bubbly is primly balanced between sprite acidity, pithy tannins and a touch of sweetness. It's a chewy Lambrusco, and it is the perfect foil for a formaggi and salumi board. Packed with flavors of black plums, elderberries and açai and scented with lilac and lavender, this is a whirlwind for the senses.
Drink: 2020-21 

88
Dr. L NV Riesling Sparkling $16
Exuberantly aromatic, this sparkler has a compelling nose of Gala apple and apricot complemented by a pinch of toastiness. The mid-palate is fairly supple, nicely supporting the perky acidity and cleansing bubbles. Slightly richer and riper, this wine can carry an array of lighter dishes. This is produced using the Charmat method, just like the Extra Dry.
Drink: 2020-21 

88
Dr. Loosen NV Riesling Extra Dry Mosel $12
The bright and airy nose on this lightly floral wine is followed up by hints of almond paste and white peach on the palate. The well-balanced sweetness is reined in by vivid acidity and oodles of itty-bitty bubbles. This is dynamically refreshing with nicely balanced sweetness. It's an incredibly easy-going sipper for aperitivi!
Drink: Through 2020 

88
Sofia 2017 Rosé Brut $19
WOW! This is a rockin' rosé bubbly! I've never tasted a Sofia wine this delicious and well-balanced. Aromas of goji berries, pomegranate seeds and kirsch scream out of the glass. In fact, it's surprising to see such an expressive Pinot Noir (80%) and Chardonnay (20%) blend, especially one that is so resolutely dry. The elegant bubbles caress the light bodied palate before leaving a pleasantly lingering finish.
Drink: 2020-21 

87
Adami NV Prosecco Treviso Brut Garbél $16
Fresh, fragrant and mouthwatering, this wine lives up to its name. (Garbél means crisp and tart in the local Veneto dialect.) Rather straightforward with scents of green apple, fennel and bay leaf, the smooth bubbles and vaguely creamy mid-palate harmonize to buffer to the reverberating acidity. A whiff of minerality surfaces on the brief finish.
Drink: Through 2020

87
Cleto Chiarli NV Lambrusco Grasparossa Spumante Brut Rosé de Noir $16
Made of 85% Lambrusco Grasparossa and 15% Pinot Nero, this light-bodied, bright pink spumante feels triangulated between its crackling acidity, bracing bubbles and tonic tannins. Its aromas lead with cherries and raspberries, then its flavors add an earthy dimension. Despite the 12 g/L residual sugar, this feels a bit austere even when it is enjoyed with food.
Drink: Through 2020 

87
Sofia 20176 Blanc de Blancs Monterey County $19
An quirky blend of 70% Pinot Blanc with 15% each of Riesling and Muscat, this is a delightfully aromatic, super pure and compellingly drinkable bubbly. Like the Rosé Brut of the same year, this is a far more enticing Sofia than all of the earlier vintages that I have tasted. Tasting of cantaloupe, nectarine and mango, it's incredibly exotic in flavors. Lightly sweet on the attack, the brisk acidity cleans up the finish.
Drink: Through 2020 

87
Villa Sandi NV Prosecco Treviso Brut Il Fresco $16
Profusely bubbly, this softly scented blend of Glera, Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc shows elegant, floral top notes infused with spring-like aromas of snapped flower stem and damp earth. The light-bodied attack tasting of green apples and rhubarb follows with the seamless integration of a delicately sweet palate and nicely balanced acidity. Easy-going with a swift finish, this is a perfectly enjoyable aperitivo-style wine.
Drink: Through 2020