Summer is virtually around the corner. We must celebrate the arrival of such pleasant season with a bunch of sparkling wines. This month, I will present to you some of my highly recommended champagne method sparkling wines from California. These wines are of great value and respectable prices. Sparkling wines can either be white, pink, red or any other wine variety. Classic sparkling wines are comparable to Champagne, the grape variety that is available only in the Champagne district in France. They used Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay. Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris varietals are also used to enhance the blends. California Sparkling Wines DOMAINE CHANDON * BRUT CLASSIC, CALIFORNIA, $19-$21 * RESERVE, BLANC DE NOIRS, 86% SONOMA COUNTY, 14% NAPA COUNTY, $24-$26 Light-medium yellow in color, the Brut Classic is moderately rich with flavors of pineapple, roasted nut, butterscotch and toast. It features a fleshy texture and evident complexity. Long with moderately persistent finish. 50% Pinot Noir, 43% Chardonnay, 4% Pinot Meunier, 2% Pinot Blanc. The Reserve Domaine Chandon features a subtle rustic color matched with evident complexity and style. Greatly balanced with adequate weight sparkler. Tasting of red fruit and citrus aromas with hints of honey and roasted nut. Persistent finish. 78% Pinot Noir, 14% Pinot Meunier, 8% Chardonnay. Drink through 2006. DOMAINE CHANDON, ETOILE, 1999 ROSE, 75% NAPA, 25% SONOMA COUNTY, $38-$40 Intensely flavored rose bursting with aromas of lemon peel, plum and pineapple. Accentuated with roasted nut and vanilla flavors. Features crisp and long finish. 66% Chardonnay, 29% Pinot Noir, 5% Pinot Meunier. Drink through 2006. GLORIA FERRER * BLANC DE NOIRS, SONOMA COUNTY, $22-$24 * BRUT, SONOMA COUNTY, $22-$24 * 1995 ROYAL CUVEE, VINTAGE RESERVE, CARNEROS, $27-$29 * 2000 BLANC DE BLANCS, CARNEROS, $22-$24 Gloria Ferrer’s sparkling wines are getting better and better. They are more delicate in flavor and complex in style. Pretty with enticing flavors of citrus fruit, peach, plum, roasted nut is the Blanc de Noirs. It features medium-body and persistent long finish. 92% Pinot Noir, 8% Chardonnay. The Brut is pale yellow in color, moderately bodied and well-balanced. It is medium in the palate. Taste reminiscent of lemon peel, apple, rapberry, toast and honey. 87% Pinot Noir, 13% Chardonnay. Slightly more mature from the rest, the Royal Cuvee features the taste of baked bread, honey, lemon, baked apple and nut. 69% Pinot Noir, 31% Chardonnay. It features round character and long palate. The Blanc de Blanc features crispy texture and character. It is creamy on the palate with persistent finish. Tasting of pineapple, crème caramel, lemon peel and toast. Drink through 2006. J VINEYARDS & WINERY, 1999 BRUT, RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY, $31-$33 Slightly golden color. Great value wine. Ripe and elegant. Bursting of pineapple, roasted nut, toast and pink grapefruit flavors. Medium full bodied. Drink through 2006.