Vara Uncorks New Sparkling Wines

WHETHER IT'S A NEW YEAR'S CELEBRATION or a special Valentine’s date, keep the sparkle and fizz alive. Thanks to New Mexico’s long and rich winemaking history—going back to 1629, when the first wine grapes in what became America were planted in the Río Grande Valley’s fertile soil—the options on offer to drink local vino continue to blossom. At Albuquerque’s Vara Winery & Distillery, the Spanish-style cava is delighting and tickling the noses of sparkling-wine enthusiasts around the country. Happily affordable, this crisp bubbly is a welcome addition to Vara’s unique cache of wine varietals. Vara partnered with Laurent Gruet formerly of the Albuquerque-based Gruet Winery (which has long made New Mexico’s most famous sparkling wine), adding clout to the brand. Cheers to 2022. Let’s drink to that!