Amista Sparkling Syrah - Wine Roads Wine Style of the Month
We are thrilled to announce that our Sparkling Syrah was selected as one of the top six sparkling wines featured by Wine Roads in their Wine Style of the Month! Wine Roads praised our Amista Sparkling Syrah from our estate Morningsong Vineyard, describing it as “an effervescent delight that is fresh and bright.”
Each month, Wine Roads highlights a specific wine style or varietal, showcasing the incredible variety and richness of wines produced in northern Sonoma County. And we have to agree with their notion that “sparkling wines aren't just for holidays and celebrations—they're a perfect choice for everyday meals and pair beautifully with a wide range of foods.”
What Pairs with Sparkling Wines?
In the past, pairing sparkling wines was simpler, mainly because the options were limited. The mention of sparkling wines typically conjured thoughts of traditional French Champagne or similar styles made with the same grapes outside of Champagne.
However, the world of sparkling wines has exploded in the last two decades. Today, sparkling wines are crafted in many regions using a wide range of grape varieties. In Champagne, only six grape varieties are permitted, with most wines being made from the three primary grapes: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. Outside of Champagne, there are fewer restrictions on both the grape varieties and the methods used to produce these wines.
While Champagne adheres strictly to the Methode Traditionelle (or Methode Champenoise), which requires a secondary fermentation in the bottle, sparkling wines from other regions often explore different techniques and grape combinations, creating a rich and diverse array of flavors to enjoy and pair with food.
What Pairs with Champagne?
Classic brut Champagne, with its slight hint of sweetness and dry taste, pairs beautifully with oysters on the half shell or roast chicken. For a unique twist, Eileen Crane, the founding winemaker and CEO at Domaine Carneros, recommends enjoying it with a filet mignon. (Learn more about Eileen’s sparkling career and her other favorite pairings).
Blanc de Blancs Champagne, meaning "white from whites," is made exclusively from Chardonnay grapes and typically has a lighter body than brut. This elegant Champagne complements caviar, scallops, and other delicate fish. Surprisingly, it also pairs wonderfully with French fries.
What is Sparkling Syrah?
Sparkling Syrah is crafted from the red Syrah grape and is typically produced as a rosé. The grapes are left on the skins for just a few hours, imparting a slightly darker hue than most rosés. This extended skin contact gives the wine more body and tannins. While there are many styles of Sparkling Syrah, the common thread is this richer, more robust profile.
On the other hand, Sparkling Shiraz, which originated in Australia, is a different style. Unlike Sparkling Syrah, it is a sparkling red wine, much deeper in color than its rosé counterpart. Despite the difference in name, Shiraz is simply another term for Syrah, and both wines are made from the same grape variety.
Why Does Amista Make a Sparkling Syrah?
Our first Sparkling Syrah began serendipitously in 2008, and it quickly became a cult favorite. We call it “joy in a bottle.” This was our first sparkling wine, and it sparked our passion for creating non-traditional sparkling wines. In fact, we were the first winery in Dry Creek Valley to make sparkling wines, and we now craft seven unique offerings.
What Pairs with Amista Sparkling Syrah?
This is where the adventure begins—not just with our Sparkling Syrah, but with the wide variety of sparkling wines made from different grapes in various styles. Pairing food with sparkling wines becomes an exciting journey of matching diverse flavors with an equally diverse selection of dishes. While we haven’t explored all the possibilities yet, it’s definitely on ourlist!
Let's focus on our Amista Sparkling Syrah. Marcy Gordon, in the Wine Road feature, highlights spicy crab cakes as a fantastic pairing. Here are five more of our favorite pairings:
- Thanksgiving. There are so many assorted flavors on the Thanksgiving table, it’s hard to find a wine that works. Enter Sparkling Syrah! Because it spends several hours on the skins, it has added heft that enables it to work with the bigger flavors of roast turkey and stuffing. At the same time, its fruit characteristics pair well with the cranberries and sweet potatoes. The bubbles cleanse the palate and the wine’s effervescence is a welcome counterpoint to the richness of the Thanksgiving feast. Added bonus – the brilliant color turns any meal into a celebration.
- Taco Salad. This is a casual summer meal. The combination of spicy taco meat coupled with garden fresh lettuce, tomatoes and cilantro makes this a challenging pairing. Sparkling Syrah comes to the rescue. Plus, it is so refreshing on a warm summer evening.
- Cranberry Brie Phyllo Cups. This is a delicious and beautiful appetizer that is spectacular with Sparkling Syrah. The tartness of the cranberries, the creamy brie, and the crunchy phyllo cup come together with the Sparkling Syrah and everything pops! This easy appetizer is sure to impress your friends.
- Hot and Spicy Baked Crab is a favorite of our winemaker, Ashley Herzberg. It has long been a tradition in her family on Christmas Eve and serving it with our Sparkling Syrah has become their new tradition. In fact, Sparkling Syrah is a fabulous choice with all kinds of spicy cuisines, like Thai, Szechuan, and Indian dishes.
- Panna Cotta with Raspberry Coulis. We served this at one of our annual Sparkling Holiday Soirees and it was a homerun! The Sparkling Syrah was dazzling with the tart, sweetness of the raspberry coulis and the silky panna cotta.
What We've Learned About Wine and Food Pairings
Over more than two decades of experimenting with various wine and food combinations, we've discovered that there are often delightful surprises. Some pairings that sounded perfect didn’t work out, and there are no strict rules to follow. Instead of striving for the perfect pairing, the real joy lies in tasting, experimenting, and finding your own favorites.
Discover all six featured sparkling wines in Wine Roads Wine Style of the Month – Sparkling by Marcy Gordon.
Still Thirsty?
If you want to learn more, here is a curated list of resources.
Champagne Pairings: Expert Tips to Pair Champagne with Food
Food and Champagne: Food and Champagne: The Perfect Match
Sparkling Shiraz: Sparkling reds & why you should be drinking them!