sparkling wine

If you're hosting or attending an Oscars party, you'd be remiss not to offer some bubbly to wash down all your homemade movie snacks. My suggestion? Serve up something classic but new to most: the Seelbach Cocktail.

According to cocktailian A.J. Rathbun, this drink has its origins in Louisville, KY's pre-Prohibition years. It makes heavy use of bitters, incorporating two different types. That's not seen too often but results in a pleasant yet intricate sparkler that's ideal for slow sipping alongside awards show commentary. For the recipe, keep reading.

Since guzzling a couple of glasses of pink champagne is my single girl's cure to getting through Valentine's Day, I've been on the lookout for a great sparkling Rosé. While I'd love to try one of the nine bottles recommended by the San Francisco Chronicle, there's no super affordable option on the list.

However, I was recently sent a bottle of Mumm Napa's Brut Rosé, and I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. At $22, it's more than I spend on an everyday sparkling, but it's for a holiday, so it's worth the splurge!

This Brut Rosé has a dark blushing color, delicate bubbles, and a super fruity nose. It's 85 percent Pinot Noir and 15 percent Chardonnay and a wonderfully drinkable wine. It has a fresh, clean taste and light body. If you're in need of a good pink bubbly, I highly recommend the Mumm Napa Brut Rosé.

What's your favorite sparkling Rosé?

• Bratwurst and Buffalo wings: what was on the menu at President Obama's Super Bowl party. — Obama Foodorama
• Nine pink Champagnes that are worth a splurge. — San Francisco Chronicle
• Martha Stewart gets revenge on David Letterman. — Eater
• A meal at El Bulli in photographs. — Flickr
• It's time to reconsider sherry, especially in cocktails. — LA Times Magazine
• Andrew Zimmern meets a dish he can't stomach. — Huffington Post Food
• What did you think of Groupon's Super Bowl ads? — Daily Intel
• Michelle Obama has turned her attention toward restaurant nutrition. — New York Times

Source: Flickr User moneyblognewz

In between the Guy Fieri salsa and the bacon salt stands at the Fancy Foods Show, Team Yum stumbled upon something we had never seen before: Mario Batali wine. Unlike the orange-clogged chef's pasta sauces, the wine bottles do not have Batali's face plastered across the front of them. Instead, the new bottlings are elegantly labeled and expected to hit the West Coast market at Cost Plus stores soon.

We tasted two of the three varietals, the Prosecco and Chianti (the Pinot Grigio wasn't chilled), and were pleasantly surprised by the drinkability of both. The Prosecco was a classic sparkler true to the Veneto region of Italy with a delightful dryness, crisp body, and simply delicious flavor. The Chianti was earthy, smooth, and full-bodied. Both will retail at under $20, making them an affordable option for your everyday wine selection.

So tell me: the next time you follow one of Batali's recipes, would you be interested in pairing it with one of his wines?

When one hears the words "classic cocktails," martinis and Manhattans instantly come to mind. But did you know that champagne has its own signature preparation that dates back to the mid-1800s? It's a simple, but delightful combination of sugar, bitters, and sparkling wine. If making this drink to celebrate the New Year, be sure to select a good quality bubbly. It's not like a mimosa where the flavor of the sparkler will be overshadowed by orange juice; in the champagne cocktail, the bubbly is enhanced by the bitters and sugar. Read more to learn the easy technique.

Wondering what bubbly to enjoy on Friday when you ring in 2011? Then watch our video that has several delicious suggestions! We asked Jeff Porter, the wine director at Nancy Silverton and Mario Batali's restaurant, Osteria Mozza in Los Angeles, to share his picks for spectacular sparklers. To find out what they are, check out the video.