Bubbly Report 2011

Can you believe it; the Holiday Season is coming to a close. It seems like we spend so much time working up to those festive nights, only to have them fly by at the blink of an eye. While I advocate picking up a bottle of bubbly any time of year, there are many people who only bring it out for special occasions, New Year’s Eve being one of them. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to find a good bottle of bubbly and this time of year, many retailers have specials on sparkling wines, so it’s the perfect time to stock up.

Sparkling Wine info:

Classification: Extra Brut (extra dry), Brut (very dry), Extra Dry/Extra Sec (dry), Sec(semi-sweet), Demi Sec (sweet), Doux (very sweet)
Suggested Serving Temperature: 40-45ºF (to achieve this temperature, remove from fridge 30 minutes prior to serving. Or, if chilling from room temperature, place in ice bucket for about 30 minutes)
Wine Glass: The flute — the narrower the opening at the mouth, the longer the bubbles will last.

 Avissi Prosecco

Produced in the Veneto region of Italy, I think this was one of my favorite samples this season. Delicate floral aromas combine with crisp and clean fruit, honey and floral flavors. Deliciously dry, the wine is made to drink young which means as soon as it hits the shelves, you can begin enjoying. Per the website, the name Avissi comes from the delightful fizzy sound the bubbles make as they happily rise in the glass. That description alone makes me want to seek out another bottle. SRP - $18.99

Biltmore Estate Blanc de Blancs Méthode Champenoise Brut 2007

100% Chardonnay from the Russian River Valley, the grapes are harvested at a high acidity and fermented at low temps. Aromas of honey and lime while flavors are full of floral, apricot and a hint of yeast. Nice acidity and well balanced. Who can resist the romance and opulence the Biltmore Estate represents. While I may never live like a Vanderbilt, I can enjoy the wonderful wines the estate produces. SRP - $24.99

Yellow Tail Bubbles Sparkling White

Touted as the go-to Sparkling white, as annoying as I find those new “go-to” commercials, I must admit, for the money, yellow tail Bubbles is a good option for a go-to sparkler. Abundance of fine bubbles and hint of floral in the aroma with crisp, tropical semi-sweet flavors make this a good option for NYE celebrating. The makers of Yellow Tail realize, sometimes you have to end the party a little early or maybe you’ve partied a little to hard and it’s time to hang up your glass. If you find yourself unable to finish a bottle of Yellow Tail Bubbles, never fear! The “cork”, called a Zork, is a re-sealable enclosure that allows the wonderful sound of the popping cork, yet allows you to seal and maintain gas pressure so you don’t lose any of those wonderful bubbles. I’ve used the Zork and stored sparkling wine for up to two days in my fridge and had ample bubbles.  SRP - $8-$12

Looking to mix up your sparkler, how about a “champagne” cocktail. Below are a few recipes sent to me using yellow tail but you could substitute your favorite sparkling wine.

Blackberry Fizz (served at Madison & Vine, NYC)

2 large fresh blackberries (or 1 oz. blackberry puree)
3/4 oz. fresh lemon juice
3/4 oz. simple syrup
2 oz.  Yellow Tail sparkling wine
1 oz. Lillet Blanc
1 oz. Gin
Directions: In a mixing glass muddle the blackberries (or add the puree), along with the lemon, simple, Lillet, and Gin. Then add ice and shake well. Strain into a chilled champagne flute and top off with the sparkling wine.
Garnish: blackberry on rim of glass

Ginger-Passion Sparkler (served at Bookmarks Lounge, NYC)

1/2 oz. ginger liqueur
1 oz. passionfruit juice
4 oz. Yellow Tail Sparkling Wine
Directions: Add ingredients directly to champagne flute.
Garnish: candied ginger on rim of glass

Food Pairings:

Hard cheese, both strong and mild make a beautiful pairing. My favorites are cave aged gruyere and clothbound cheddar. Both can be found at specialty cheese shops and Whole Foods.
Pair with Brix Chocolate for Wine for a special treat. Pair with the Smooth Dark Chocolate, which is best suited for sparkling wines.

So another year comes and goes. For a change, I look forward to what the new year will bring. For me it will be continued improvements to our new home, a wine room in what is now a plain and dull partial basement, Americana chickens and their colorful eggs and the hope of meeting new people who may become lifelong friends. One change I do not look forward to is the inevitable passing of my 19 year old cat, Katundra. The time is near, I know but in the meantime, we keep her warm, comfortable, well fed and very loved.

This New Year’s raise a glass to both old friends and new friends who we may meet in the New Year and to the memories of friends and family we may have lost this year.

Cheers!

If you would like to send samples for my review, please contact me at kstargaard@yahoo.com.

2011© Kellie Stargaard.  All Rights Reserved.

http://winechicksguidetoeverydaywines.blogspot.com/
Follow me on:
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/winechicksguide
Twitter:http://twitter.com/WineChicksGuide

2010 Bubbly Report Part 1 – Cupcake and Mumm Napa

Seems I was on Santa’s naughty list this year since he gave me a cold for Christmas. I won’t let it bother me, I had the opportunity to taste some great sparkling wines prior to this little annoying gift and I’m still enjoying new wines. I don’t believe in saving sparkling wines for special occasions, I like to hear that pop for a variety of reasons; it’s dark outside, it’s Wednesday, I woke up that morning, etc. On to my 2010 Bubbly report

The first two wines are both from the Loire Valley, France made the same way as Champagne, using the Methode Traditionnelle.

Cupcake Brut Rosé Pinot Noir N.V.

Aromas carry floral notes of rose petals. Hint of strawberry and a nice creamy mouthfeel provide a delicious lingering finish. A collaboration between Cupcake winemaker Adam Richardson and Paul Epistalie from Lacheteau winery in France’s Loire Valley. I paired this sparkling with a Dry Monterey Jack cheese found at Whole Foods.

Region - Loire Valley, France
Varietal - 100% Pinot Noir
Alcohol – 12.5%
TA - 0.71g/100mL
RS - .97g/100mL
pH – 3.14
Case Production – 10,000
SRP - $15.99
I love pink sparkling wines, so fun and festive shooting their tiny little bubbles from the bottom of my glass and enticing me to take another sip.I received this bottle as a sample but did see it in Publix for the same price. Can also be found at Total Wine stores.

Cupcake Blanc de Blancs Chardonnay N.V.

100% Chardonnay the aromas are a bit like fresh bread with hints of floral and apple. Crisp flavors made up of white fruits and almonds. Nice smooth finish has me tipping the glass back for another sip.

Varietal – 100% Chardonnay
Region – Loire Valley, France
Alcohol – 12.5%
TA - .69g/100mL
RS – 1.02g/100mL
pH – 3.03
Case Production – 5,000 cases
SRP - $15.99
Check your local wine retailer for purchase.

N.V. Cupcake Prosecco D.O.C.

Slight hint of peach and melon aromas. Medium sized beads combine with refreshing citrus flavors in a nice creamy mouthfeel. Made from 100% Glera grapes, this sparkling is a true Prosecco.

Varietal – 100% Pinot Noir

Region – Italy
Alcohol – 11.2%
TA – 0.58g/100mL
RS – 1.50g/100mL
pH – 3.3
Case Production – 20,000 cases
SRP - $13.99
This was also received as a sample but I did see this at my local Total Wine store for the same price.

Mumm Napa Brut Rosé

One word….mmm, if that even is a word. This sparkler had to be my favorite. Not only did it have those fun pink bubbles swimming to the top of my glass but the flavors were exquisite. A blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay provide an array of flavors of strawberries, plums and dark red fruits. With slight tart flavors and spectacular finish, the wine is a true delight for any occasion. We paired with homemade pizza after all the pre-Christmas cooking was completed. That in itself was cause enough for celebration.

Region – Napa Valley

Varietal – 85% Pinot Noir, 15% Chardonnay

Alcohol – 12.7%
TA – 8.1/100mL
pH – 3.06
SRP - $22

More Mumm Napa and other sparkling wines coming on Thursday Dec. 30. Still plenty of time to go out and pick up some great sparklers for that midnight toast on New Year’s Eve.

2010© Kellie Stargaard. All Rights Reserved.
http://winechicksguidetoeverydaywines.blogspot.com/

Follow me on:
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/group.php?gid=114185461044&ref=ts

Twitter:
http://twitter.com/WineChicksGuide

What will you be popping open this New Year’s Eve?

The things I have to drink for my readers sometimes is just torture. Lucky for me my love of sparkling wine and Champagne made this one review I looked forward too. Plus it gave me the opportunity to open a bottle of Sparkling Wine when ever I wanted in the name of providing the information to you.

In all honesty I probably would have opened the bottles anyway. I don’t know why but the months of October to December find me popping open a bottle of bubbly at least once a week. This time of year just seems ripe for those little bubbles tickling my nose. Sparkling wine and Champagne are just fun and festive and I love to drink it for no reason at all.

Sparkling wine is a wine with high levels of carbon dioxide which make it fizzy when exposed to air. Sparkling wine and Champagne are produced in the same way but in order for a bottle of bubbly to be classified as Champagne, it must be produced within the Champagne region of France. In Portugal you’ll see the word Espumante to describe the effervescent drink, Spain uses Cava and Asti in Italy.

When choosing a bottle of sparkling wine or Champagne, there are a few cues to look for on the label to determine the sweetness of the wine.
Brut Natural or Brut Zéro (less than 3 grams of sugar per liter) will be on the dry side.
Extra Brut (less than 6 grams of sugar per liter) A little less dry but still not overly sweet.
Brut (less than 15 grams of sugar per liter) This one will be sweet and they only get sweeter from this point.
Extra Sec or Extra Dry (12 to 20 grams of sugar per liter)
Sec (17 to 35 grams of sugar per liter)
Demi-sec (33 to 50 grams of sugar per liter)
Doux (more than 50 grams of sugar per liter)

Most of the wines listed here are California sparkling wines made in the Champagne method as my budget does not allow for a bottle of true Champagne.

Totts Brut – This sparkling wine has a cork and cage which I think adds to the sparkling wine experience. You can get that slight little pop when you uncork. Be sure to remove the cork slowly so you don’t have a way ward cork and wine flowing all over the floor. Nice and fruity with a slight sweetness and not too dry. $8.99

Cooks Brut – Lots of bubbles, a tad on the sweet side but light and fruity. $6.99

Beringer Sparkling White Zinfandel – What can I say, it’s White Zinfandel with bubbles. Very sweet and tastes of peaches, did I mention very sweet. $8.99

Korbel Extra Brut – By far my favorite of these tastings. Dry and well balanced, very nice flavor with lots of tiny bubbles. It is on the higher end for my budget but it can be found on sale for $10 or less.

Andre Pink – This is for the frugal sparkling wine drinker when you just need some pink bubbly and you’re not as concerned about the quality. Maybe this is something you buy for New Years when you’ve already consumed the good stuff but just want to keep celebrating. It’s cheap at just $4.99 and little pink and some bubbles go a long way.

Depreville Sparkling Wine Brut – Crisp flavor, good bubbles and only $8.99. It has a good balance of sweetness and dry. This is one I had not tasted before and found it to be very drinkable.

Freixenet Cordon Negro Extra Dry Cava Spain – Wow, tons of tiny bubbles, not too sweet and very refreshing all in an elegant black opaque bottle. Found this one for $8.99.

However you choose to ring in the New Year, I hope it’s a happy and prosperous one.

2009© Kellie Stargaard. All Rights Reserved.

http://winechicksguidetoeverydaywines.blogspot.com/

Follow me on:
Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=114185461044&ref=ts
Twitter:http://twitter.com/WineChicksGuide