Drinks

Popping the cork on a bottle of bubbly can fill a room with celebratory spirits. As we move into brunch season and springtime celebrations, let’s take a closer look at a Champagne’s lesser-known cousin.

With the same richness and body of Champagne, crémant (pronounced kruh-maant) brings as much life and effervescence as its counterpart—at a fraction of the price. We spoke with Mike Scharff, general manager and wine buyer at Haskell’s in White Bear Lake, to learn more about this sparkling sensation.

What is crémant? Read more about Pop the Cork on Crémant

I love to entertain, whether it’s for a planned dinner or an impromptu gathering of friends. Here are my rules and some go-to wines that make this really easy.

Always have something ready. I keep a bottle of good sparkling wine in the fridge—just in case. (Consider: Louis Bouillot sparkling rosé)

I also like to keep good inexpensive wine on hand—just some good under $15 a bottle reds and whites. (Consider: Louis Martini cabernet sauvignon; Fortant chardonnay; or Folie a Duex chardonnay) Read more about Simply Entertain

If the word “mead” has you conjuring images of raucous Norsemen consuming the honey wine from hollowed-out bull horns after a day of battle, well, your insightful ideations would be correct. You’d also be correct if those ideations traveled a bit further back, say, to Neolithic China, to ancient Greece, to medieval Europe. Shakespeare consumed it. Tolkien lauded it. And "Game of Thrones" helped make it cool. Read more about Nectar of the Gods

Mahtomedi coffee shop The Wild Bean is a cozy spot to catch up and enjoy classic morning flavors. Read more about Mahtomedi Coffee Shop Thriving Despite Opening Amid Pandemic

Enjoy the taste of fall with some of Big Wood Brewery’s signature brews. Read more about 3 Awesome Autumn Beers from Big Wood Brewery

Washington Square Bar & Grill's cucumber lemonade is a refreshing adult take on a classic drink. Read more about White Bear Lake's Best Bar Shares a Summer Cocktail Recipe

Take a sip of some of the best bloody marys in White Bear Lake and beyond. Read more about The Best Bloody Marys in the Twin Cities

White Bear Meadery recreates a Viking classic. Read more about A Need for Mead: White Bear Meadery Offers a Minnesotan Take on an Ancient Beverage

Cocktail suggestions from Elevated Beer Wine & Spirits. Read more about Elevated Beer Wine & Spirits Serves Up Creative Winter Cocktails

Tattersall's Bootlegger, Bent Paddle Brewing Company's Trampled Golden Ale and Rabble Rosé from Paso Robles, California, make a perfect trio of summer drinks. Read more about New Tattersall Spirit Highlights Summer Drink Picks