Tasting Notes Cave de Lugny Cremant de Bourgogne Blanc de Blancs

December 13, 2023 By

Friends brought this lovely, well-priced, crisp Crémant de Bourgogne to our home for a wine-filled weekend and we really enjoyed it as one of the afternoon sippers with munchies.

For fans of Cava and Prosecco, Crémant de Bourgogne is a great option, at a similar price point. I enjoy the warm biscuit and lemony flavors, typical of Chardonnay, this Crémant showcased. Lovely acidity also. Nice find for under $25.

In the glass: Pale straw yellow

Aromas (nose): Ripe pear and Meyer lemon aromas with baked bread notes.

Flavors (palate): Juicy green apply with citrus and nutty notes.

Texture/finish: Creamy mouthfeel, fine mousse with a medium finish

Pairings: Seafood, fish, grilled chicken

Wine type: Sparkling wine

Grape: Chardonnay

Region: Burgundy, France

Cost: $25

Adding the Cave de Lugny Cremant de Bourgogne Blanc de Blancs to my repertoire.

Cheers, Veronique

Filed Under: Chardonnay, France, Sparkling Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , ,
12 January 2022 Champagne Louis de Sacy NV Brut Originel

Champagne Louis de Sacy NV Brut Originel

January 12, 2022 By

I purchased this wonderful grower Champagne at my favorite wine shop, Amanti Vino, in Morristown, NJ. The owner always has special finds and small production bottling that one cannot find at other stores. If you’re a fan of quality, small producer wines, check out her website.

Creamy, refined, fresh and elegant wine with flavors of ripe pear and apple with a touch of citrus and great minerality.

Smell: floral and fruity (apple) with nutty and yeasty notes

Taste: juicy pear, sweet meyer lemon, ripe stone fruit and toasted bread

Texture and Finish: fine moussy bubbles, great minerality, long finish

Pairings: oysters, seafood, sushi, light cream sauced pasta, shellfish

Style: sparkling

Grape Type(s): 55% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay, 15% Pinot Meunier

Region: Champagne, France

Price: $35

I need to order more of this well-made grower Champagne, a great bottle for $35.

Cheers, Veronique

Filed Under: Chardonnay, France, Pinot Noir, Sparkling Wine, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,
26 February 2020 Ninth Island Non-Vintage Sparkling

Ninth Island Non-Vintage Sparkling

February 26, 2020 By

I had this lovely Tasmanian sparkling wine by the glass at a hot NYC restaurant and really didn’t know what to expect. I was taken aback by what a great wine this was for the price point.

About Ninth Island

Ninth Island is named after a small island located in the Bass Strait, just off the coast from the Pipers Brook Estate where the Ninth Island Wines are made.

Pipers Brook Estate and Ninth Island are regarded as modern day pioneers in the wine industry of Tasmania where they produce 100% estate grown and made wines, like this Ninth Island Non-Vintage Sparkling.

Great moussy sparkler with bright lemony and juicy apple aromas continuing on the palate with some strawberry and floral notes.

Looks: Medium straw yellow in the glass

Smell: Intense juicy pear, citrus and apple on the nose

Taste: Zesty citrus, like strawberry and floral notes on the palate

Texture and Finish: Light-bodied, creamy mousse with great acidity with a dry finish

Pairings: Seafood (specially oysters), fish (ceviche would be great). Great as an aperitif

Style: Sparkling White Wine

Grape Type(s): Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier

Region: Tasmania, Australia

Price: $25

Cheers,

Veronique

Filed Under: Australia, Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, Sparkling Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , ,
15 May 2019 Barbolini Lancillotto Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro NV

Barbolini Lancillotto Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro NV

May 15, 2019 By

Barbolini was an early pioneer of high quality Lambrusco in Emilia-Romagna. I was glad to find this wine at a local Italian restaurant to remind myself to go get a case for summer outdoor parties. For those not familiar with Lambrusco, it’s a red sparkling wine from Italy. It’s refreshing, super food-friendly and a perfect sipper on a warm summer day. And, this bottling is $14 – a complete bargain.

Looks: Foamy and purple in the glass

Smell: Black cherry, black raspberry with some earthy notes

Taste: Big mouthful of dark cherry

Texture and Finish: Bone dry, medium-bodied but light and fresh with great acidity and light tannins. Short finish

Pairings: Charcuterie plate, pizza, red sauced pasta

Style: Red Sparkling Wine

Grape Type(s): Grasparossa Lambrusco

Region: Emilia-Romagna, Italy

Price: $14

Cheers,

Veronique

Filed Under: Italy, Lambrusco, Red Wine, Sparkling Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , ,
18 July 2018 French Roots, American Dream – Gruet Winery

French Roots, American Dream – Gruet Winery

July 18, 2018 By

I’m a big fan of Gruet wines and find it fascinating that an acclaimed French Champagne maker would travel to the USA in the 1980s, specifically New Mexico, to start a sparkling wine business. What foresight and drive!

About Gruet Winery

Gilbert Gruet and his wife Danielle, dreaming of producing fine Champagnes, founded Gruet et Fils in Bethon, France and has been making Champagne since 1952.

The family traveled through the southwestern USA in 1983 and while in New Mexico met a group of European winemakers who had had success planting vineyards about 150 miles south of Albuquerque. In 1984, Gilbert decided to plant Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes in an experimental vineyard in Engle, NM. Two of his four children, Laurent and Nathalie, relocated to New Mexico to begin the family’s American winemaking business.

Laurent is the Head Winemaker at Gruet Winery. Like his father before him, Laurent’s top priority as a winemaking is quality. Wine Spectator named his Gruet NV Blanc de Noirs a Top 100 wine of the world in 2011, an unusual accolade for a sparkling wine under $20.

Nathalie is Gruet Winery’s President. Nathalie moved to the USA only knowing a few English words and has helped propel Gruet into its current position as one of the top-rated American sparkling wines in its price category.

Gruet Brut Rosé NV

Gruet Brut RoseI enjoyed this wine recently at a tapas restaurant where it paired beautifully with so many dishes and flavors – very food friendly.

Looks: Medium salmon-colored in the glass

Smell: Big, ripe strawberry aromas with bright floral notes

Taste: Rich flavors of raspberries/strawberries/ with some juicy cherry notes

Texture and Finish: Fresh with small bubbles. Medium-bodied, dry on the finish with great acidity

Pairings: Grilled fish or seafood

Style: Rosé Wine

Grape Type(s): 100% Pinot Noir

Region: New Mexico, USA

Price: $17

Filed Under: Pinot Noir, Rose, Blush Wine, Sparkling Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,
20 December 2017 Mumm Napa Brut Reserve NV

Mumm Napa Brut Reserve NV

December 20, 2017 By

Mumm Napa Brut ReserveMumm Napa Brut Reserve NV.

The holidays are right around the corner and that means popping corks on bottles of bubbly. With so many options on the market, it’s difficult to decide on what bottles to stock up on.

Mumm Napa Brut Reserve NV is a great option in terms of price point and taste. Established in the late 70s, Mumm Napa follows the winemaking techniques of its French heritage to create its Napa sparkling wines.

I paired this bubbly with coquilles St Jacques and it was a great pairing. The rich sauce and the dry slightly yeasty bubbly worked so well, but this food-friendly wine would be great with a variety of dishes.

Looks: Medium yellow in the glass with tiny, moussy bubbles.

Smell: Toasted bread and nutty aromas with apple notes.

Taste: Ripe apple/pear flavors with some vanilla notes.

Finish: Medium-long complex finish.

Pairings: Fried chicken, grilled fish, seafood.

Style: Sparkling Wine

Grape Type(s): 60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay

Region: Napa Valley, California, USA

Price: $20

 

This wine was provided to me for sampling and I am adding it to my repertoire as it’s truly enjoyable.

Filed Under: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sparkling Wine, United States, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , ,
17 August 2017 2015 Heart & Hands Sparkling Riesling

2015 Heart & Hands Sparkling Riesling

August 17, 2017 By

I’ve been a member of Heart & Hands’ Claddagh Club, its wine club, for several years and enjoy that, once in a while, I’m contacted about something totally unexpected by this stellar Finger Lakes winery. This time, it was about its sparkling Riesling with bottle cap enclosure – how could I pass that up? The one thing I regret is only buying a half case.

Looks: Palest of yellow in the glass with tiny bubbles.

Smell: Apple and pear aromas with hints of citrus.

Taste: Green apple and tropical fruit flavors with a dry, bright, crisp finish.

Texture and Finish: Nice minerality and acidity with a medium finish.

This bubbly is great as an aperitif but it’s also very food friendly.

Winemaker’s note(s): Crafted in the traditional method: primary fermentation in stainless steel, then bottle fermented and aged en tirage on the lees.

Pairings: Fried chicken, grilled fish, seafood.

Style: Sparkling Wine

Grape Type(s): Riesling

Region: Finger Lakes, NY, USA

Price: $26.99

Filed Under: Riesling, Sparkling Wine, United States, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , ,
5 July 2017 Tasting Notes – Scarpetta Frico Frizzante

Tasting Notes – Scarpetta Frico Frizzante

July 5, 2017 By

I was in Providence, RI for the holiday weekend and was served this fun bubbly at Slow Rhode. I admit I’m always a bit suspicious of wine served in vessels other than bottles, but this was nice. No metallic after taste, good bubbles, light, and refreshing. Think Prosecco but a little lighter on the amount of bubbles.

Looks: Palest of yellow in the glass with tiny bubbles.

Smell: Apple aromas with faint floral notes.

Taste: Apple flavors with a dry, crisp finish.

Texture and Finish: Crazy nice minerality and acidity with a medium finish.

I had this bubbly from Italy as an aperitif but enjoyed it so much that I paired a second can with roasted sunchokes and pan seared squid. I just ordered four, six-packs to take to the beach with us!

Pairings: Fried chicken, grilled fish, seafood.

Style: Sparkling Wine

Grape Type(s): Trebbiano, Glera, Chardonnay

Region: Mendocino, Monterrey, and El Dorado Counties, California, USA

Price: $3.99 for a 187 ml (6-ounce) can

Filed Under: Chardonnay, Italy, Sparkling Wine, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , ,

5 Affordable Wines for 4th of July Parties

July 1, 2015 By

Wine in ParcSummer’s here and so are warm days and humidity. What summer also means is fun-filled gatherings, including 4th of July get-togethers.

Here is a list of five wines to pour during your 4th of July celebrations that are affordable and certain to please your guests:

Lucien Albrecht Brut Rosé Cremant D’Alsace ($22): This lovely bubbly is coral/pink in color with the tiniest of bubbles. Light strawberry aromas with juicy, slightly sweet strawberry flavors that’s balanced by bright acidity. Serve this bubbly as your guests arrive to create a festive atmosphere.

2014 Two Lands Pinot Grigio ($14): Light and crisp with Meyer lemon flavors that finish on a zesty note. Nice summer sipper and great as an aperitif and with crudités.

2013 Esporao Vinha da Defesa Rosé ($15): This festive, bright pink wine is super food-friendly. Intense red berry and cherry aromas with bright fruity flavors. Perfect for a seafood boil and the cornucopia of flavors at a BBQ.

2013 Egger Ramer Schiava Gentile ($15): Fragrant with red berry aromas with ripe strawberry and cherry flavors. Great acidity making this wine very versatile with summer foods. Pair with charcuterie platter or even hot dogs.

Montes 2012 Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon ($15): Deep ruby in the glass, this wine offers blackberry aromas with notes of mocha and leather. It’s full-bodied and big on dark fruit and ripe raspberries with a nice touch of oak. This is your steaks/ribs/burgers wine.

Enjoy these summer wines and let me know if you try any of them!

Cheers,

Veronique

 

Filed Under: Cabernet Sauvignon, France, Italy, Pinot Grigio, Portugal, Red Wine, Sparkling Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , , ,
3 June 2015 Lucien Albrecht Brut Rosé Cremant D’Alsace

Lucien Albrecht Brut Rosé Cremant D’Alsace

June 3, 2015 By

Lucien Albrecht Cremant D'Alsace Brut RoseI’m a big fan of anything Lucien Albrecht wines and highly-recommend you familiarize yourself with them.

Appearance: Coral/pink in color with fine and small bubbles.

Nose: Light strawberry intensity with a hint of yeast.

Palate: Juicy strawberry continues with a hint of sweetness that’s balanced by bright acidity. Creamy yet crisp mouthfeel.

Assessment of quality: Lovely wine with a good balance of sweetness and acidity with a medium finish.

Readiness for drinking/potential for ageing: drink now, not intended for ageing.

Approximate retail price: $22.

Region of origin Alsace, France

Grape Type(s): Pinot Noir

Pairings: Grilled chicken. Spicy dishes. Seafood.

Style: Rosé Wine

Region: Alsace, France

Price: $22

This wine was provided to me for sampling and I am adding it to my repertoire as it’s truly enjoyable.

Filed Under: France, Pinot Noir, Rose, Blush Wine, Sparkling Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , ,
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