Classic California Sparkling from Calistoga

As much as I love Champagne, California bubbly is oftentimes a better value and just as tasty, especially when it comes from Schramsberg Vineyards. If you’ve never toured the Schramsberg caves in the northern Napa Valley (Calistoga), I highly recommend it!

 

The 2010 Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs ($37/bottle) is a fresh and delightful sparkler with pronounced notes of juicy white peach on the palate. It has celebration written all over it, with a price tag that in my mind that reads “any weekday occasion will do”. That being said, I felt the need to celebrate this glorious, summer-like weather and my expectant departure from my day job (soon I’ll have more time to write, yay!).

Made in the méthode Champenoise, this bubbly is made of 100% Chardonnay grapes. It exudes a slightly yeasty character and sexy, subtle nuances of almond skin, toast, and something tropical that I can’t quite put my finger on. It finishes with an air of complexity, a whisper of green apple, and a kiss of fresh-baked bread. This sparkler has a delicate effervescence that makes it an excellent aperitif and also a terrific pairing with a light meal. Schramsberg makes some of the best bubbles in the Napa Valley. But don’t take my word for it! Get yours here and let me know what you think. Cheers!  

It's NYE...and time to drink Champagne!

It's New Year's Eve and the perfect occasion to pop a bottle of bubbly. I’ve been on a bit of a Champagne kick recently, partially because I have a new job at the Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant in San Francisco. Cheers to me!

To familiarize myself with our inventory, I've been trying lots of new Champagnes (tough job, I know!), but I haven't had enough time to write about each of them in detail. So here is a compilation of “tasting note tweets” in 140 characters (more or less) to help you pick out the perfect bottle of bubbles to ring in the new year. The following wines are all in stock at FPWM:

Monthuys Brut Reserve, NV ($33/bottle) is an excellent value! The nose offers a very pleasant perfume of crisp green fruit while the palate displays complex notes of caramelized pear, quince paste, and lightly browned butter. Absolutely delicious!

Philippe Gonet Grand Reserve Brut, NV ($69/bottle) is a gorgeous blend of 30% Chardonnay, 60% Pinot Noir and 10% Pinot Meunier. It smells like white flowers and freshly roasted hazelnuts. The palate is rich and nutty with notes of juicy stone fruit and toast. It’s both sexy and simply scrumptious!

Pierre Moncuit Blanc de Blanc Brut, NV ($46/bottle) is very easy to drink with an elaborate flavor profile of hazelnut, Asian pear, white peach, and citrus. Mandarin orange lingers on the finish. I will definitely buy this wine again!

René Geoffroy Premier Cru Brut, NV ($50/bottle) is round and full-bodied; it smells a little like really ripe triple-cream cheese. One sip introduces flavors of almond skin, fresh-baked bread, and green apple. Finishes with a citrusy note.

Jose Dhondt Blancs de Blancs Brut, NV ($65/bottle) is decadent and well worth the price. This is the wine that I will be celebrating NYE with!

Check out more of my sparkling reviews of the sparkling wines we featured at last month’s wine seminar and tasting.

Whether you celebrate New Year’s Eve with Champagne or not, I hope it is a truly festive occasion. Cheers to a fabulous and wine-filled 2013!