Crowd Pleasing Bubbly

I hadn't tasted Asti Spumanti for a long time until about three years ago when it was served at a cousin's wedding. Before that I had dismissed it as a relative of the Baby Duck and Lonesome Charlie clan drunk by seventeen-year olds (in my day). What a pleasant surprise to discover I actually liked it on my more sophisticated yet far from connoisseur palate. The right combination of bubbles, sweetness and price makes it smooth going down.

We popped the cork on more than a few bottles for a surprise birthday party we hosted in the spring and it was a hit. The clinching comments were "I usually hate champagne." We also chilled a few bottles for our Father's Day brunch mimosas. Good choice to please crowds.

P.S. It's hard to photograph wine labels. I promise to get better.