I ended up working the week between Christmas and New Year’s, and oddly enough, as the week has progressed, more and more of my coworkers returned to work.  What started out as a ghost town on Monday became a practically crowded office by Thursday.  Admittedly, much of the day was spent catching with the coworkers on a week’s worth of holiday festivities, travel war stories, and DC’s Flurrypocolapse 2010—the snow storm that never hit DC.  However, by mid-afternoon, people started drifting out, so I joined them with the hope of running a few errands and getting a quick run my planned New Year’s Eve-Eve get together with five ladies in my building.  And what would a New Year’s Eve-Eve gathering be without bubbly?  So, we each brought a bottle of sparkling wine to share, along with a few fun things to snack on throughout the evening.

Althea
$14
Prosecco
Greenish-yellow
Nectarines and limes
Very dry, not sweet, refreshing, and absolutely gorgeous
Overall: 4.5 Corks

Louis Bouillot Blanc de Blancs
$15
95% Chardonnay and 5% Aligoté grapes
Medium lemon, lots of persistent bubbles
Peaches and grapefruits
Yeasty, bubbly goodness
Overall: 4 Corks

Cupcake Vineyards (winery, snooth)
$10
Prosecco
I actually enjoyed this bottle more than the one I opened earlier in the week.  This bottle had significantly more bubbles, while maintaining the fun taste I found in the other bottle.
Overall: 3.5 Corks

Louis Bouillot Rosé
$15
Crémant de Bourgogne
80% Pinot Noir and 20% Gamay grapes
Light salmon, some small persistent bubbles, touch cloudy
Strawberries, raspberries, limes, herbs, touch of toast
Dry, light body,
nice
Overall: 3 Corks

1+1=3 (winery, snooth)
$14
Cava
45% Xarel-lo, 30% Parellada, and 25% Macabeo grapes
Medium-to-dark gold
Almonds, coconut…reminded me a little of a sparkling sherry
Dry, medium body
Different, by not my style
Overall: 2.5 Corks

I’m a little late in saying this, but HAPPY NEW YEAR!