7 Tips for Building a Sparkling Wine List that Pops
From menu organization to pricing, here’s how to set your bubbly selection apart
by L.M. Archer
The sparkling-wine market is on a seemingly unquenchable climb. In 2016, U.S. consumption alone rose 6.6 percent, according to the 2017 Wine Handbook of the Beverage Information Group, with annual increases anticipated through 2020 for this lucrative category of consumer quaffing.
As a result, a growing number of restaurants, bars, and bottle shops are expanding their sparkling-wine offerings, featuring everything from grower Champagnes to funky pét-nats and fizz from far-flung regions. Ultimately, everyone wants to build a selection that leaves guests thirsty for more.
SevenFifty Daily spoke with sparkling wine-focused somms and retailers to glean their top tips for building a compelling list of bubbles.
1. Make Your List Easy to Navigate
“Organize your list to help your guests,” says Mary Catherine Edmondson, the beverage director of The Riddler, a Champagne bar in San Francisco. Edmondson orders her 100-plus list of Champagnes and extensive by-the-glass program of sparkling wines according to style, lightest to richest. “From there,” she says, “we can open up a conversation with guests about what they’re really looking for.”Organization extends to staff too. “Have a well-organized cellar, so staff can find bottles as quickly as possible,” says Cheryl Wakerhauser, the proprietor of Pix Pâtisserie, a hip, Parisian-vibed wine bar in Portland, Oregon. “With over 500 sparkling wines on our list, this is imperative.” Read more here.