A few Valentine's Day Rosé Bubbly, Champagne and other sparkling

A few Valentine's Day Rosé Bubbly, Champagne and other sparkling

Valentine’s Day usually call for sparkling wines, and more specifically sparkling roses. It is mainly a day to please your partner, friends and family. Bubbly enhance any occasions, parties and “tete-a-tete” lunches and dinners. Rosé makes it even more romantic and festive and colorful.

So, to help you sheer up your Valentine’s day, here is a list of some fun and helpful sparkling values to help you focus on the dinner, the flowers or the jewelry bill:



NV Marquis de La tour Brut Rose Loire Valley France $9.99

The Loire Valley has often been called the “garden of France.” This pastoral landscape, with its gently rolling hills and majestic Châteaux, also happens to be the largest sparkling wine region in France, outside of Champagne.

One of the best known names in fine Loire Valley sparkling wines is Marquis de la Tour from Rémy Pannier. Rémy Pannier, which has been identified with premium quality Loire Valley wines since 1885, is the Loire Valley’s single largest wine producer, with markets in over 40 countries worldwide. Marquis de la Tour has been a welcome guest and the toast of the party at social gatherings and family celebrations, both formal and casual, around the world. It remains a fun and accessible bubbly, and although not too complex or extravagant, it is definitely easy going and agreeable.

This is a charming and affordable sparkling wine, a perfect party toast or reception aperitif. This gentle and friendly bubbly has a bright salmon pink color, almost candied, with fine bubbles. The nose is quite delicate and elegant with notes of strawberries and raspberries. The palate is round, supple and fresh with a red fruit long finish. This fruity, yet not sweet, sparkling wine can be served as an aperitif. Its aroma is also enhanced when served with red-berry desserts.



NV Latittude 50 Brut Rose Sekt Germany $19.99

Our good friend Savio Soares is already renown for bringing organic and biodynamic gems and values from France and Germany (and more), and once again he hit the spot, with this 100% Spätburgunder (more commonly called Pinot Noir) Rosé Sekt (Brut or sec) sparkling from Germany.

2007 Latitude 50 Spätburgunder Rosé is fresh, vivid, with multiple, fast paced bubbles and an elegant, tender, light pinkish onion skin color. This rosé is a sociable, easy-going and inviting bubbly. Surprisingly easy to drink, dry and bright yet ripe and light on its feet and fruity (and once again, remember that fruity doesn't necessarily mean sweet, in most case, it just imply ripeness or a fruitier taste than usual in therm of fruit not of sugar.... sweet is definitely a misleading word in the wine world vocabulary), it is an ideal dry sparkling rosé wine for any festive occasion (a toast, a lunch or a dinner, etc..). It was one of the highlights of 2009 end of the year Holiday's season and a no-brainer choice for taste and especially value. Saint Valentin is coming soon and this rosé will tenderly complement your eyes-to-eyes, cuddling time.



NV Ayala Brut Rose Majeur Champagne Aye France $38.99

Since January 1st, 2008, Cognac One has become the sole importer of Champagne Ayala in the U.S. The only French champagne house with Latin roots, AYALA was established in 1860 in Äy, France by Edmond de AYALA, the son of a Colombian diplomat in Paris, who married the niece of a noble Viscount and received the Chateau of Äy as his dowry, along with prime vineyards located in Aÿ and Mareuil sur Aÿ.

The House of AYALA was one of the elite founding members of the "Ivy League" of the top champagne houses, the Syndicat des Grandes Marques de Champagne. AYALA was purchased by Bollinger in 2005.

Like Bollinger, Ayala produces fairly bodied Champagne that are yeasty and food friendly, balanced and elegant. The Ayala Brut Rose Majeur is an interesting, fruit forward Champagne, medium bodied, with strawberry and floral flavors. Medium pink-red candied cherry color, this classy and gutsy rosé will complement any red berry dessert as well as fresh tuna, salmon and crab.



You can also check the following ones, which are some of my favorite sparkling rosé(s). They surely deserve a bit more attention and I will at some point probably write a post for each of them. However, here is a short list for Valentine's Day:

• NV H.Goutorbe Rose Brut Grand cru Champagne Aye France $52.99
  
• NV Moutard Pere et Fils Brut Rose de Cuvaison Buxeuil Champagne France $33.99
• NV Marc Hebrart Brut Rose Champagne $43.99
  
• NV Carpene Malvoti Prosecco Italy $18.99
  
• NV Chapuy Brut Rose Tradition Champagne $39.99
  
• NV Delavenne Brut Rose Champagne $41.99
  
• NV Gardet Brut Rose Champagne $47.99
  
• NV Laurent-Perrier Brut Rose Champagne $75.99
• NV Billecart-Salmon Brut Rose Champagne $79.99
  
• NV Heidsieck Monopole Brut Rose Champagne $34.99
  
• NV Brun FRV 100 Rose Terres Dorees $22.99
  
• NV Codorniu Brut Pinot Noir Rose Cava Spain $14.99
  
• NV Cristalino Brut Rose Cava Spain $8.99

I could have put much more brands and labels, but this list should be a good way to start and give you some ideas. The prices are the ones that we have at the store, visit the store website for more info at www.HeightsChateau.com.


Enjoy!

LeDom du Vin

Step into the Green! Drink more Biodynamic and Organic wine (and food) from sustainable culture and respect the environment! Support the right causes for the Planet and all the people suffering all around the globe!

Vega Barcelona NV Brut Reserva Cava Penedès Spain

Champagne, Prosecco, but what about Cava?

If price is an issue when you trying to buy some sparkling wine and you do not want to pay the price for a Champagne, other successful alternatives at a lesser price exist: Crémant de Loire, Crémant d’Alsace, Crémant de Bourgogne, Crémant de Bordeaux, Clairette de Die, Cerdon du Bugey, Mousseux, Blanquette de Limoux, Vouvray Pétillant (all from France and many more), Sekt (Germany & Austria), Prosecco (Italy), Lambrusco (Italy), Brachetto (Italy), American sparkling wines from California and New Mexico and Cava from Spain, and many more from all around the world (but the list will be too long).

The aristocratic, posh or bourgeois ways and attitudes of most sparkling-wine-drinking-people will always tend to go toward Champagne and Prosecco, which is a bit of a snobbery because a lot of Champagne are very pricey and not necessarily that good (and people go often for recognizable brands that are making relatively generic Champagnes compared to some unknown and up-and-coming producers); and Prosecco(s), even if cheaper or better value than Champagne, can also be really boring and not that great, proof is Prosecco are often used for making Mimosa (sparkling wine + orange juice) with family and friends during Sunday brunch.

But what about Spanish Cava(s), people do not really speak about them, which is a shame because they are as good value or even cheaper than Prosecco(s) and far less expensive than Champagne.

Don’t get me wrong, I love Champagne and Prosecco!

Amongst many other, here are 3 favorites of the moment:

• Marc Hebrart NV Rosé ($40-$45 from Michael Skurnik Wines) has been my go to Champagne for a little while now and compared to big brands producing millions of bottles of Champagne that in my opinion have a certain lack of character (no point to give names, they are the most well-known and advertised in this price range), I think that it is a much better Champagne from a smaller producer who is in control of his own small production and carefully pay attention to the quality every step of the way, from vineyards to vinification, etc.. It is a subtle, delicate, feminine, and racy delightful Champagne Rosé.

• Lattitude 50 Sekt Rosé is a German sparkling wine that is also a great value ($19-$21, from Savio Soares) which much more fun than a lot of Champagne and will definitely do the trick in any occasion. Light on its feet, fun, friendly, festive, refreshing with a pale salmon color with orange reflects, it is a party pleaser.

• Bisson Prosecco is also a great value and a tremendous sparkling wine ($15-$18, from Rosenthal/Madrose). Classic in style with its regular cork rather than the pop-up champagne cork and muselet, it is a delightful, crisp, vivid, mineral and focus Prosecco of choice for connoisseurs and amateurs searching for balance and harmony and subtle mineral touch.

However, let’s go back to Cava and one of my favorite, which has always been really good and consistent over last few years: Vega Barcelona.

Vega Barcelona NV Brut Reserva Metodo Traditional

Vega Barcelona is a delightful, crisp, vivid and easy to drink Cava (a Spanish sparkling wine aged in underground limestone cave like in Champagne, hence the name “Cava” meaning cave) from the Penedès region, just outside northern Barcelona.

Cava is made in exactly the same way as Champagne, but like many other sparkling wines around the world, it cannot be called Champagne because it is not coming from the French region of the same name, which by this way protect its wines from fraud and imitations.

Cava has fully established its identity in the export markets in the last thirty years yet specialized bodegas - or Cava houses - have been producing on a commercial scale since the end of the 19th century. Today Cava is second only to Champagne in world sales of sparkling wine, followed by Prosecco and American sparkling wines.

A blend of 3 different grapes, each grape variety for this Cava are harvested from each vineyard then fermented and vinified separately to allow for the differences in ripening dates and quality development. First fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks at 61-62° for about 7 to 10 days. Second fermentation is in bottles, also called the “Méthode Champenoise” (i.e. traditional) obtained for this Cava with selected yeast for maturation. The wine was left on its lees for about 9 months before disgorgement before bottling.

Vega Barcelona NV Brut Reserva Metodo Traditional Penedès Cava Spain
Suggested retail price $13-$16
Imported / Distributed by Pas Mal Selections in NYC

A blend of 30% Macebeo, 35% Xarello, 35% Parellada from vines of over 10 years of age, Vega Barcelona Cava (NV) has a beautiful, bright pale yellow color with small to medium bubble. The nose combines aromas of ripe pear, white fruit, mineral and slate. The palate is clean, refreshing and friendly with citrus and white fruit flavors intermingled with hints of “crème brûlée” and more mineral enhanced by small zesty bubbles. The finish is soft, well-rounded, mineral, cleansing and inviting. It will surely contribute to the success of any occasion that requires some sparkles.

Enjoy!

LeDom du Vin

Step into the Green! Drink more Biodynamic and Organic wines (and Food) from sustainable cultures and respect the environment!

Tasting Session: Skurnik (02/05/09)

All the following wines were tasted at the store on Thursday February 5th 2009, with Sabina from Michael Skurnik Wines (Importer/Distributor).


2005 Raventos I Blanc "L'Heureu" Brut Reserva Cava Spain
Suggested retail price $14-$17
Imported/Distributed by Michael Skurnik Wines in NYC

First, I need to say that I never been disappointed by Raventos, and once again, I wasn't with this one. Moreover, I like the fact that they are organic.

Made from 60% Macabeo, 20% Xarello and 20% Parellada, the 2005 Raventos I Blanc l'Heureu Brut Reserva has a yeasty, golden apple, fresh almond nose. The palate is light to medium bodied and expresses the same flavors in a nuttier kind of way. Well balanced with a lovely dry yet juicy mouthfeel, it is quite long and pleasant. Intermingled notes of almond, nut, peach and zesty lemon characterize the finish. Very enjoyable and organic on top of that. Step into the green! (Tasted 02/05/09) LeDom du Vin

For more info go to: www.raventos.com or to: www.skurnikwines.com



2007 Stefano Massone Gavi Vigna Masera Piedmont Italy
Suggested retail price $11-$14
Imported/Distributed by Michael Skurnik Wines in NYC

Very characteristic from the Cortese grape, the 2007 Massone Gavi Vigna Masera boasts intense peach blossom aromas with delicate touch of white juicy fruit and mineral notes. It is as inviting on the palate as it is on the nose. Well rounded attack, medium bodied and soft with a good amount of acidity to balance it. Fresh peach, apple and lemon define the fruit flavors in this balanced, focus, uncomplicated easy drinking white wine. A very good value for money for everyday drinking. (Tasted 02/06/09) LeDom du Vin

For more info go to: www.marcdegrazia.com or to: www.skurnikwines.com



2007 CantinaMatta "Casamatta" Toscana IGT white wine Tuscany Italy
Suggested retail price $10-$13
Imported/Distributed by Michael Skurnik wines in NYC

Made from 100% Vermentino, 2007 Casamatta has characteristic notes of fresh haye, straw, green almond, almost barnyardy in some way, on the nose and on the palate. In a kind of sherryesk way (without the extreme freshness or the see breeze, lightly salty attitude of a Fino), the attack and mid-palate is full of grenn and ripe golden apple, straw, hay, nutty flavors mixed with hints of minerals and lime. The finish is somewhat nutty, well rounded, kind of lush. Here again, another good value for money to enjoy with grilled chicken, dry aged cheese, nuts and spicy chorizo. (Tasted 02/05/09) LeDom du Vin

For more info go to: www.skurnikwines.com



2008 Mud House Wines Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough New Zealand
Suggested retail price $10-$13
Imported/Distributed by Michael Skurnik wines in NYC

Made from 100% Sauvignon Blanc grapes coming from Mud House own vineyards in the upper Wairau Valley, as well as from other selected growers vineyards in the Wairau and Awatere Valleys, this a classic Marlborough Sauvignon at a lesser price than the most well-known houses (which are, by the way, nearly all, own by the same few big corporate companies).

Definitely usual and tipical NZ Sauvignon Blanc nose offering a mix of very grassy, green, goose berry aromas with white pepper and herbal notes. The attack and mid-palate deliver a lot of fruit, lime, lemon and white peach in a rounded, well balanced and focus way. Nice and clean overall without being too complex. A refreshing Marlborough at a good price. (Tasted 02/06/09) LeDom du Vin

For more info go to: www.mudhouse.co.nz



2007 Piazzano Chianti DOCG Green Label Tuscany Italy
Suggested retail price $10-$13
Imported/Distributed by Michael Skurnik wines in NYC (a Marc de Grazia Selection)

Made from 100% Sangiovese, Piazzano Chianti green label boasts fresh and fragrant red berry, cherry aromas on the nose. Quite ripe and charming in the same time, it is somewhat old school in taste: earthy, red cherry predominant on the mid-palate. Overall pretty balanced and focus, it has a light touch of green tannins on the finish (some may taste bitterness or tartness), however the ripe red juicy fruit and the overall structure of the wine compensate for it. Pretty enjoyable anyway in this price range, in my opinion. (Tasted 02/05/09) LeDom du Vin

Enjoy! and don't forget to step into the green! Drink more organic and biodynamic and wine coming from sustainable culture. It is good for you and good for the environment.

LeDom du Vin