AsiaLIFE

The festive season is coming and what better way to celebrate than with some sparkling wine. Nora Lindstrom had the onerous task of checking out the capital’s establishments that serve bubbly by the glass.

InterContinental Hotel
Mao Tse Tung Blvd.
There are few things better than spending a Sunday morning drinking champagne. InterContinental makes this easy, offering a luxurious US$38+ champagne brunch every Sunday between 11.30am and 3pm. The buffet includes a free flow of De Saint Gall Brut Tradition Champagne in addition to a truly sumptuous spread of delicacies, from oysters through to ice cream. Made from two-thirds chardonnay and one-third pinot noir grapes, the champagne itself is light with a crisp finish, and staff are prompt on the refills. Should you fancy a glass outside brunching hours, these are available at US$10+, and InterContinental further serves Moët & Chandon Champagne for US$12+ per glass, as well as prosecco for US$6+.

Pacharan
389 Sisowath Quay
Pacharan’s espumoso, meaning foamy or frothy in English, is precisely that. The Penh’s own bodega serves Freixenet Carta Nevada semi-dry by the glass (US$5.50), which has a candied, round taste. Made from a blend of three Spanish grapes, the cava is definitely more on the sweet than dry side, yet retains a crisp edge and kicks up fruity aromas. When served during the half price happy hour it represents very good value for money. Other cava-based cocktails at the bodega include the classic Bellini (US$4.50), as well as the traditionally Spanish Aqua de Valencia (US$4.50), in which cava is combined with Grand Marnier and orange juice for a fresh cocktail.

Chow
277 Sisowath Quay
The main thing that Chow gets right is the price. At US$4.65, the glass of Australian Redbank Emily Brut is very affordable, particularly during the half-price happy hour between 4pm and 8pm. However when are bubbly arrived it was distinctly flat and on the warm side, leaving it impossible to appreciate this fine wine. The menu at Chow also includes an interesting champagne cocktail (US$8) as well as a traditional Bellini (US$6), both of which, like the sparkling wine, may be perfectly lovely assuming the bottle has been stored properly.

Elephant Bar
Raffles Hotel le Royal, Street 92
If you have cash to spare and class is you thing, Raffles is where to head for a glass of real champagne. The Elephant Bar serves no ordinary bubbly, here it is Devaux Grande Reserve Brut that rules the game, at a whopping US$15+ a glass. The skilfully balanced drink arrives in a chilled glass. Made from pinot noir and chardonnay grapes, it is delicate yet with a complex array of aromas including flowers, peaches and honey. For a more affordable option, go for one of the bar’s signature drinks, the Femme Fatale. Made from champagne, crème de fraise sauvage, and a dash of cognac, it has all the sophistication of a glass of champagne, but at US$7.50+ it comes with a much less prohibitive price tag, particularly during the daily half-price happy hour.

Pavot
57 Street 57
The sophisticated yet relaxed atmosphere of Pavot tapas bar and grill is the perfect place to enjoy a classy glass of sparkling. Like at other establishments in town, Pavot’s sparkling wine of choice is Australian Redbank winemakers’ Emily Brut. Made from pinot noir and chardonnay grapes, the wine is fresh with a persistent bead in the glass. It has a slightly sweet taste, with a citrus-like edge, which perfectly complements the Khmer fish salad (US$6) from the bar’s new menu. Given the generous pour, a price tag of US$6 is perfectly reasonable, better still buy the whole bottle for a mere US$18.

Le Quay
Cnr. Of Sisowath & Street 110
There aren’t many things more delightful than a glass of Prosecco combined with fresh sushi. At L’Afterwork, Le Quay’s new regular weekday event between 5pm and 8pm, the two come together very well, as the establishment serves a glass of Bisol “Jeio” Prosecco together with a plate of sushi for a mere US$9.50. Hailing from Italy’s Valdobbiadene region, the prosecco is fresh and fruity, with a persistent bead in the glass. It can also be combined with other delicacies, including special sets for two or more persons that include a whole bottle of bubbly. Should you get the urge for some prosecco outside L’Afterwork hours, a glass of this fresh sparkling is yours for US$5.50.

Talkin’ to a Stranger
21B Street 294
There’s likely to a lot of talking to strangers midweek at Talkin’ from hereon, with the launch of Bubbly Wednesdays in December. Some of the capital’s cheapest sparkling will be found at the popular expat hangout, as Derek and Wendy will be serving a no-nonsense Australian sparkling by Trentham Estate at a lowly US$2.50 per glass, or US$16 a bottle. If your midweek needs some extra lift, try the truly delectable De Saint Gall Champagne, also very affordable at US$7 per glass. The sparkling is also available during the rest of the week at US$3 per glass, as long as you order at least two glasses.