Toad Hollow NV Risqué French Sparkling Wine

Last week my husband and I celebrated the final closing of our house in Tampa and contracting on a house with 3 acres of land in Murrayville, GA. I decided to celebrate with a bottle of Toad Hollow Risqué Sparkling wine. Not because our decisions where risqué but because when telling people of our plans, there were many different reactions  from people. Most were jealous and a few were jealous not only because we had the ability to make the move but also because we had the courage to make the move. Then there were those (very few) who just didn’t get it at all. They asked, why would we leave everything we knew behind and start over again. A bit of a risky move if you will. I know it’s a stretch but humor me. So when picking out my wine selection prior to the move (parts of the area are still dry, gasp!) I thought Risqué was a perfect choice.

Aromas of fresh apple and pear waft up on the effervescent bubbles. Aromas carry over to the flavors resulting in crisp apple, fresh pear and a hint of honey. The alcohol is only 6%, so if you’re one of those that get a little too tipsy when sipping those tiny little bubbles, this may be the sparkling wine for you. The bottle has a flip top, so if for some reason, can’t think of any, you aren’t able to finish, you can plug it up and enjoy the next day. Priced at just $14.99, who could resist?

Toad Hollow uses the Méthode Ancestrale also known at the traditional method or méthode champenoise. Using this method, the effervescence for more complex wines are produced by secondary fermentation in the bottle. This method is typically reserved for sparklers produced in the Champagne region (wines known as true Champagne). The process is slightly more complex, more expensive and produces wine that is slightly sweeter, since the wine is bottled prior to the residual sugar converting into alcohol. This also gives the wine a lower alcohol content and less effervescence than other methods.  

For more info on Toad Hollow wines, click here.

Since arriving in the north Georgia mountains, there are a few things I have observed regarding the roads and driving. It seems no matter what the speed limit is or how winding the road is, everyone drives 60 mph. I’ve also learned there are "turn your britches brown" roads (a term I coined) and there are "hold onto your skivvies" roads (borrowed from our Realtor). Regardless of which road, the locals find it perfectly acceptable to drive 60 mph on both types of roads. I’m still in the sight seeing mode and find it a little frustrating that everyone wants me to go fast. I thought country folk were more relaxed and moved at a slower pace. Apparently driving, does not apply to this slow, relaxed lifestyle.

As we make our way into our new life, I’ll report it to you so stay tuned for more on our move to the mountains.

To donate to the America’s Disaster Relief Truck, currently helping Alabama tornado victims and Mississippi flood victims, click here.

2011© Kellie Stargaard.  All Rights Reserved.

http://winechicksguidetoeverydaywines.blogspot.com/

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Toad Hollow Vineyards Sparkling Wines, Ooh La La it’s holiday time

Risqué, Methode Ancestral, Sparkling Wine

Looking for a fun and tasty sparkling wine for this holiday season? Found in most mega-mart wine retailers, Toad Hollow’s Risqué fits that bill nicely and a price tag of $12 makes it even more appealing. The flip top and naughty Can-Can girl on the label would have won me over immediately. However, I had the pleasure of receiving as a sample and boy am I glad I did.

Faint yeasty and apple aromas mix with creamy apple and sweet peach flavors. Crisp and clean with a nice level of natural sweetness made from 100% Mauzac. The low alcohol (6%) makes this a safer bubbly to serve to guest that may sometimes imbibe in the holiday “spirit” a little too much. The lack of alcohol does not indicate this is a “shy” or mellow sparkling. It’s bold with intense bubbles that wash over the palate. Nothing more to do at this point than fill the glass again.
Methode Ancestral is pretty much as it sounds, an ancient method of making sparkling wines. Risqué is bottled and produced in by Les Vignerons du Sieur d’Arques in Limoux, France and imported by Toad Hollow. The method has had a French resurgence over the past ten years. When produced in this method, the fermentation process takes place in the bottle. This process is what causes the carbon dioxide or those fun, tiny bubbles.
This would pair well with a spicy Indian Curry or spicy BBQ. Me, I’m feeling like I need to escape the Urban Concrete Jungle, so I’m going to grab a French Baquette, my Risqué, a bicycle with a basket and pretend like I’m riding in the French countryside.

Amplexus Crémant Brut Sparkling Wine, Limoux, France
A lot of you already know, I’m a sucker for labels, well not only does Amplexus Cremant Brut sparkling wine have a great label but also a wax seal of Dr. Toad, which really makes me happy. Not only does it have great bottle appeal but the juice is quite tasty too. Priced at $15.99, still very affordable for holiday enjoyment.
Flavors are a bit tart at first with a hint of Granny Smith apple, dry with a smooth and elegant finish. Tiny bubbles that go on forever just scream holiday festivities. The blend of grapes are Chardonnay, Mauzac and Chenin Blanc.
The Limoux region of France has been producing sparkling wine in 1531, prior to production in the Champagne region.
My only complaint with this wine is my husband who normally does not care for sparkling wine, enjoyed this bubbly and shared the bottle with me so I didn’t get to have it all to myself this time.
I have a lot more bubbly reviews for the upcoming holiday season. It’s a tough gig I have here, all that sparkling wine to drink and share but I’ll get through it somehow.

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

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