Pairings & Pours: Bubbles & Berries
Rosé sparklers for strawberry dreams, plus a personal favorite from Napa, and non-alcoholic options worth sipping.
Strawberries and bubbles are a classic duo, aren’t they? Elegant, celebratory, and balanced. Historically, strawberries were a symbol of love and prosperity, often served at royal feasts in medieval Europe. Their natural sweetness and slight acidity make them an ideal pairing for sparkling wines, non-alcoholic drinks, and even humble 100-year-old recipes with surprising ingredients. It’s like the planets aligned to elevate this simple dessert with the royalty of the wine world.
While Iron Horse has become our family’s go-to for holidays and special occasions, it also happens to be a wonderful partner for this unexpectedly delightful dessert. So it made the list. Right alongside one of my longtime favorites from my early wine-tasting days: Mumm Napa Valley.
I still remember sitting on the Mumm patio back in the early tech days of the ’90s. We’d escaped a mountain of work and driven up to the valley for a Friday afternoon wine break. Surrounded by redwoods, sunshine, and a flight of bubbles, we basked in the joy of tasting some of Napa’s boldest sparklers.
No one back then would’ve guessed I’d one day be pairing high-end rosé with what looks like an everyday Jell-O dessert. But here we are. Because once I actually made it, that dessert turned out to be a total surprise. Light, luscious, and honestly…kind of dreamy. It deserves a pairing just as surprising.
Sparkling Wines
A quiet, refined beauty with a pale pink hue and soft berry notes. It enhances the light, airy texture of angel food cake while highlighting the fresh strawberries.
Less subtle and more daring, this sparkler bursts with ripe strawberry, juicy raspberry, and rich dark cherry, balanced by a zing of lime. A bold match for the dessert’s vivid flavors.
Mumm Napa Valley Brut Reserve Rosé
Creamy and dense, with a coral pink tint and aromas of strawberry jam and dark plum. Its bright red fruit and long, crisp finish make this a standout sip.
Strawberry-Lemon Spritzer
Club soda, muddled strawberries, and a lemon slice make for a bright, fizzy sip with a celebratory feel.
Cold Brew Hibiscus Tea
Tart, floral, and vibrantly red, looks festive and tastes even better.
Lemonade (Classic or Sparkling)
Spring in a glass. Add a splash of soda, a sprig of mint, or a sliced strawberry for an easy upgrade.
This Sunday, March 23rd, I’m sharing Helen Carnes’ Quick & Easy Strawberry Dream Dessert. A light and luscious spring favorite that tastes like sunshine in a dish. The recipe comes from my great-grandmother Mom Carnes’ handwritten cookbook, where she simply called it a “quick & easy” dessert. Like the best heirloom recipes, it’s simple, nostalgic, and lets spring’s freshest berries shine. Pair it with one of the sips above and make it part of your weekend ritual. Be sure to stop by Sunday for the full recipe.
🍓 Do you pair sparkling wine with dessert, or save it for something else?
🍷 What’s your favorite springtime sip, wine or otherwise?
💬 Got a great mocktail to share?
Enjoyed this pairing guide? Never miss a recipe or drink pairing suggestion!
Some links may be affiliate, meaning I earn a small commission at no cost to you. It helps support the stories, recipes, and pairings I share here.