Bubbly time for holiday guests

<p>With the relatives en route for the holidays, it's a good idea to get some excursions in play. One of the most impressive "day-cations" can be built around sparkling wine. The sparklers produced in Wine Country rival French champagne and these striking houses of bubbly are right in our backyard.</p><p>Most will serve a flight of sparklers with some tasty pairings. Be sure to put your diet on hold; restraint is next to impossible where sparklers are concerned.</p><p>When you're on your way to sating your palate with as much decadence as possible, why not engage your guests in some sparkling trivia? Here's one simple question: What's in a bubble? Here's your response: A tiny bubble is nothing more than a pocket of gas contained by a thin film of liquid. The bubble is comprised of carbon dioxide, trapped inside each bottle during a unique second fermentation. Coke, in contrast, has bigger bubbles thanks to a machine called a carbonator which injects it with carbon dioxide. When it comes to sparklers, everyone agrees the one with the best pedigree is the pinpoint, persistent bead.</p><p>Sonoma County options include:</p><p><CF103>Iron Horse Vineyards,</CF> 9786 Ross Station Road, Sebastopol, 887-1507, ironhorsevineyards.com Tip: On Fridays at 10 a.m., winemaker, David Munksgard, gives a personal tour. Reservations needed.</p><p><CF103>Korbel Champagne Cellars</CF>, 13250 River Road, Guerneville, 824-7000, korbel.com. Tasting tip: Check out the delicatessen and the tasting room while you drink in the history. This year the winery is celebrating its 130th anniversary.</p><p><CF103>Gloria Ferrer Winery</CF>, 23555 Hwy Carneros Highway (121), Sonoma, 996-7256, gloriaferrer.com. Tip: The VA de VI is a slightly sweeter style style at Gloria Ferrer, a blend of pinot noir and chardonnay with a hint of muscat.</p><p><CF103>J Vineyards & Winery</CF>, 11447 Old Redwood Highway, Healdsburg, 431-5430, jwine.com Tip: The Bubble Room offers a three-course decadent wine and food tasting.</p>