Brianne Cohen is the principal in a lifestyle brand and business based out of Los Angeles. She has been producing events and weddings for over 10 years in Los Angeles and San Francisco. Brianne regularly judges at the International Wine & Spirits Competition and the International Wine Challenge in London. She also completed the entire curriculum with the Wine & Spirits Education Trust and traveled to London in January 2019 in order to receive her Diploma certificate, which is one of the most coveted and difficult wine certifications.
As a sommelier, if I had one wish to be granted, it would be for people start to enjoy sparkling wine more regularly, and to not just save it for NYE or for a celebration. And by more, I mean all the time. Daytime, nighttime, spring, summer, fall, and winter. Sparkling wine is…..wait for it….one of the most versatile wines you can put in your glass. What makes it so versatile? The high acid of sparkling makes it palate cleansing and refreshing, and also contributes to its food friendliness. So why pink bubbles? Well, why not?
Champagne Billecart-Salmon Brut Rosé (Champagne, France) $79
Busting out the gate with Champagne for my campaign. This Billecart-Salmon from the 200-year old house is a blend of the 3 traditional Champagne grapes: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. The one thing there is no shortage of when it comes to Champagne, is elegance. This wine is wildly elegant and leads the pack of all sparkling rosés. Expressive red fruit notes plus acid and minerality to cleanse even the most finicky of palates. I dare you to find someone who doesn’t love this wine. This is the wine I’d BYOB with some epic sushi….perhaps an omakase meal?
Albert Bichot Cremant de Bourgogne Brut Rosé (Bourgogne, France) $25
When the occasion doesn’t quite call for Champagne, but Prosecco is a bit too sweet and unserious, Cremant de Bourgogne takes the cake. This Albert Bichot traditional method sparkler from Bourgogne gives dryness and a delicate hand. Made from Pinot Noir, Gamay, and Chardonnay, this is my go-to wine for a summertime outdoor picnic. When I head back to the Hollywood Bowl for the first time this season, you can bet this will be in my picnic basket!
Ferrari Rosé NV (Trentodoc, Italy) $35.99
Ferrari is THE Italian sparkling wine house. Fun fact, Ferrari is the bubbly of choice for wedding toasts in Italy. It’s that classic and iconic of a brand. This wine is a blend of Pinot Noir (to give it the pink color) and Chardonnay. Their rosé versus the standard brut tends to offer more structure and of course red fruit notes. I choose rosé bubbles when I want that backbone. This is a perfect dinnertime rosé…maybe with some grilled shrimp or a crudo dish? I have had this bottle many times, and it never disappoints!
Gruet Winery NV Brut Rosé (New Mexico) $17
This is my favorite, value priced domestic sparkler, hands down. The Gruet family (who produce Gruet et Fils in Champagne) came to the US from France in the mid 80s and planted experimental vineyards in New Mexico. Now, Gruet is one of the most successful sparkling wine houses in the United States. A deep raspberry color in the bottle, hints to the deep red berry notes on the wine. You can feel comfortable taking this wine with you to any event this summer! It’s great on its own as an aperitif or with just about any food!
FIOL Prosecco Rosé (Treviso, Italy) $18.99
Did you know that 2021 is the first time you’re seeing Prosecco rosé on the shelves ever? The Prosecco DOC consortium approved rosé production in May of 2020. The first bottles hit shelves in early 2021. How do we make Prosecco pink? By the addition of red grapes: Pinot Nero, specifically. This FIOL Prosecco Rosé is a great example of this exciting new category. Vibrant red fruit, tangerine notes, and delicate white flowers.
Nomadica Sparkling Rosé (Monterey, CA) $50/8 pack
Nomadica is a California based, female lead project offering “sommelier curated” canned wines. This canned rosé is made from 100% Pinot Noir grapes from the Monterey area. Light and refreshing….there’s something so fun about pink bubbles in a can. What I love about Nomadica wines is that they’re a bit more serious than what else is out there in canned format, but they’re still squarely fun, portable, and approachable. Red berries (wild strawberries and raspberries) plus oodles of acidity and freshness.
Brianne Cohen is an LA based event producer, certified sommelier, wine educator, and wine writer. During the pandemic, Brianne entertained over 7,000 people through her “Virtual Vino” online wine classes, regularly highlighting diverse (i.e. Black, BIPOC, female, and LGBT) owned wineries. She now offers both in-person (and virtual) wine tasting experiences for her corporate clients. Brianne regularly judges at international wine competitions, including the International Wine Challenge (IWC) in London and holds the WSET Diploma certificate. She writes on her own blog and for outlets such as Decanter, Vintner Project, and Kiplinger. She also holds an MBA from Loyola Marymount University. Brianne Cohen Wine & Events is a certified woman-owned business with WBENC.
