This is the start of my birthday week, so I am toasting with bubbles every day. There really is nothing like celebrating a special occasion during a pandemic, but as our island slowly begins to open up, we are getting a little bit back to normal. The “I wear a mask to work everyday” normal. So, it is the ideal time to toast with a special bottle, and Sonoma’s Balletto Vineyards Russian River Vallery Brut Rose ($42) is the wine of the day. Made in the traditional method, leaving the wine on the lees for three years to age in the bottle, and produced from predominantly Pinot Noir with Chardonnay grown on their estate vineyards. Before the wine is bottled, the individual wines are kept separate, fermenting the Pinot Noir in stainless steel, and the Chardonnay in neutral oak. The Chardonnay does go through 100% malolactic fermentation as well, adding an extra layer of creaminess to the structured, stylish sparkler. Juicy and rich, the wine opens with wild strawberry and red apple, mingling with blanched almond and marzipan, with beautiful acidity and a clean, mineral-rich finish. #Cheers