The Bubbly Index

Even before all those corks went flying on Dec. 31, the vintners of high-end domestic sparkling wine had reason to celebrate: sales of their wines grew 6 percent over last year.

The Bubbly Index -- a report by wine industry consulting firm Gomberg, Fredrikson & Associates -- looked at sales in the premium California sparkling wine category. That includes a wide range of brands from J to Domaine Carneros to Korbel.

Joy Sterling, of Iron Horse Vineyards said that their 7.5 percent growth in revenue was fueled by new young wine drinkers who aren't beholden to French bubbly. "California high-end Methode Champenoise Sparklings like Iron Horse fit the profile as 'affordable luxuries,’" Sterling is quoted as saying.

Seeing that this is the third year in a row that sales of domestic bubbly have grown, to me, it also means that more people -- young and not so young -- are realizing that fine sparkling wines are perfect accompaniments for every day life.