While Champagne absorbs much of the Holiday glow at this festive time of year, we also want to shine a light on the dazzling array of sparkling wines made outside of the Motherland. All our selections will be made in the “traditional” or Champagne method, where the bubbles are created naturally in individual bottles. But then the differences in grape varieties, terroir, and winemaking styles will come into play. Some are crafted as an homage to Champagne, others are made with local grapes to be distinctly different. All will offer festive flavors, versatility in food pairings, and compelling quality for the price.
A native New Yorker, Oliver Longwell caught the wine bug in 2012 after a number of years working in government and politics. He has worked for leading wine retailers in New York and Los Angeles, with a particular focus on organically-farmed and natural wines. Oliver is a Certified Sommelier by the Court of Master Sommeliers and works as a freelance wine consultant. He enjoys experimenting with fermentations, especially ciders. He and his wife moved to Northeast Portland in 2021 and welcomed their first daughter in 2022 and second daughter in 2024.