Wine Blogging Wednesday > WBW #28 - Sparklers!

Comments: A light sparkling wine from San Fermo. It is pretty to look at, with a pale straw color and just a hint of a golden hue, and rapidly rising, small bubbles. (It comes in a beautiful bottle, by the way). It has a subtle fruit bouquet, which is a characteristic of prosecco grapes. The same subtle fruit is noticed on the palate, as well as a pleasantly crisp finish. This is a dry, light sparkling wine ---- not an assertive one but definitely not bland or boring. Best to be enjoyed with fresh, light fare such as a simple spring salad.

• Overall :
  light party sparkler
• Eye :
  pretty pale straw golden hue small bubbles
• Nose :
  subtle fruit
• Mouth :
  subtle fruit crisp finish
• Delicious with :
  light fare simple salad

• Bottle size : standard 750ml
• Tasting date : 2006-12-14

Comments: The wine is a rich, ruby red, softly frizzante and certainly carried the distinctive perfume of strawberry. I also detected aromas of red fruits, cherries and even a little rose. The initial flavour was intensely strawberry with a mellow sweetness that ended in a slightly cloying cerise. In fact the aftertaste was quite syrupy and even borderline artificial. I became concerned that the wine had been modified to include artificial strawberry perfumes. However the texture of the wine was very nice: light with bubbles gently caressing the mouth and the elegant chill taking the edge off the sweetness.

• Overall :
• Eye :
  ruby
• Nose :
  stawberry red fruit cherry rose
• Mouth :
  strawberry cherry cloying syrupy aftertaste nice texture
• Delicious with :

• Bottle size : standard 750ml
• Tasting date : 2006-12-14

Comments: This is both an exotic wine and a familiar wine all at the same time. In some ways, it is distinctly New World, like the top-of-the-line sparklers from the California houses of S. Anderson, or Iron Horse, but the exotic nose of cloves and kefir lime point to something with a completely different pedigree. It's surprisingly bready and has an austere head, not overly creamy.

This is a special treat and costs roughly the same as a bottle of White Star. I'll definitely be heading off the Wine House for more.

• Overall :
  exotic familar special sparkler
• Eye :
  austere head
• Nose :
  cloves kefir lime
• Mouth :
  bread not overly creamy
• Delicious with :

• Bottle size : standard 750ml
• Tasting date : 2006-12-14

Comments: The result of this winegrowing and winemakingprocess is a stunning beautifully flavoured sparkling wine, which reminds me to a fully packed basket with pears and exotic fruits like pineapples and mangos. But it is not only the flavours what fascinates, its the mouthfeeling you get when drinking this perlwein. The sweetness and the acidity are fitting together to perfect harmony.
Even not being used to sparkling wines with residual sugar around 50 gr/l, with muscato in the glas you wont stop drinking until the bottle is empty. Just make sure, there is more of this sparkling wine available, of course going back to “normal” wines after enjoying this muscato seems impossible for me.

Using a grape variaty like gelber Muskateller for a sparkling wine seems surprising, but just think about Moscato d’Asti, here we are, in the tradition of Spumantes and Frizzantes from the Piedmont region.
And yes, drinking this Perlwein together with some friends, the first impression all of us was: This perlwein reminds us back in the early 80’s, having party and drinking Asti Spumante!!
But yes, we have been young and drinking this very cheap sparkling wine coming from Asti. I think it was among the cheapest sparkling wines available in Germany, but in this times we were loving this sweet stuff, not thinking about quality or things like grape varieties. In this case, it was not just a pleasure drinking this wine, it was also a lovely recall of the past.

• Overall :
  stunning special sparkler
• Eye :
• Nose :
  pear exotic fruit pineapple mango
• Mouth :
  harmonious balanced sweetness and acidity
• Delicious with :

• Bottle size : standard 750ml
• Tasting date : 2006-12-14

Comments: On the nose, I get lots of flowers. It smells like a spring-time garden. This is a sweet wine. In the mouth I could easily taste the flavors of a sweet muscat grape, apricots, some honeydew melon and a bit of orange.

Lots of small little bubbles, but not too fizzy. I would suggest serving this very chilled and keeping it cold as I found the sweetness to be a bit overwhelming as we worked our way through the bottle. It was light and crisp and perhaps could have used just a bit more acidity to keep the structure. But overall, for $12.99 it was a great deal and something that would be easy and different to serve at a party.

• Overall :
  party sparkler great deal
• Eye :
• Nose :
  floral spring-time garden
• Mouth :
  sweet muscat apricot honeydew orange small bubbles not too fizzy light crisp lacking acidity overwhelming sweetness
• Delicious with :

• Bottle size : standard 750ml
• Tasting date : 2006-12-14

Comments: I "discovered" this wine about a year ago in my local grocery store. The bottle caught my eye, as the cork is held in with string instead of wire and is not covered with foil. It's a great sort of rustic looking presentation. (You'll actually need a corkscrew to remove this cork.) When I stopped to take a closer look at the bottle I noticed that the store staff was highly recommending this Prosecco. I thought I better try it out and I'm really glad I did.

Whenever I need a Prosecco now I look for this wine. It's a very pale straw color, with just a hint of fruit in the nose. I actually think of fall fruits - maybe apples more than anything. The taste is so, so light and delicate. Clean, crisp with a hint of sweet but just a tiny hint. There are bubbles but as this wine is frizzante they are gentle bubbles.

I especially love this wine in the morning. I don't mean that I use it to start my work day! But I do mean that it's a great brunch wine. It pairs well with many foods and is versatile enough to handle the eggy breakfast items, yet can stand up to the heavier more substantial items on your menu. It's also nice all on it's own as an afternoon take-a-break-on-the-deck wine or as a gentle aperitif before a heavier dinner.

With it's $10 - $12 price tag, I rate this wine as great for Parties. This Prosecco is from the Veneto region of Italy

• Overall :
  party sparkler versatile
• Eye :
  pale straw
• Nose :
  hint of fruit fall fruit apple
• Mouth :
  light delicate hint of sweet gentle bubbles
• Delicious with :
  breakfast eggs alone

• Bottle size : standard 750ml
• Tasting date : 2006-12-14

Comments: This is a beautiful Australian wine! When you first pour this wine it really froths up with a gorgeous deep pink foam topping the inky wine below.

The nose is interesting. I would say almost musty. With the deep purple color you expect something deeply berry or cherry but it's not there. The taste is of very sweet grape juice. It reminds me of a bubbly version of concord grape juice that we used to make from our grapes at home. It's kind of funny but although I love wine, I don't really like grape juice. So I wasn't crazy about this wine.

I really tried to like it and sipped it over a period of time to try to find something noteworthy. But I just didn't. It is so soft and sweet that it is almost nondescript, if that makes sense. I can sometimes find an elegance in wines that don't happen to strike my fancy but that was not the case here. I actually tasted it with four others (my dinner club group) and none of us cared for it. For a couple people one sip was more than enough.

This is my second tasting of sparkling Shiraz and I didn't care for the first one I tried either, so I guess this category of wine is not for me. But feeling as I do and especially with the $24 price tag I need to rate this wine a Dud. I wouldn't buy it again nor would I recommend it to anyone.

• Overall :
  dud
• Eye :
  beautiful deep purple deep pink foam
• Nose :
  interesting almost musty
• Mouth :
  very sweet grape juice soft
• Delicious with :

• Bottle size : standard 750ml
• Tasting date : 2007-12-14

Comments: From the moment we poured out the Mumm, we noticed the light salmon colour. And it tasted creamier, yeastier, and generally less fruit-driven but thoroughly delicious. The Pinot Noir-Pinot Meunier-Chardonnay was rich and nutty

• Overall :
  delicious
• Eye :
  light salmon
• Nose :
• Mouth :
  creamy yeasty rich nutty
• Delicious with :

• Bottle size : standard 750ml
• Tasting date : 2006-12-11

Comments: Not only it is a reliable brand, its affordable price makes it crossover categories from Special to Party. It was packed with fruit and refreshment. One guest gravitated to it because it was so cooling and refreshing. It was great with salmon and spinach mousse.

• Overall :
  yummy citrusy dry special sparkler party sparkler refreshing
• Eye :
• Nose :
• Mouth :
• Delicious with :
  salmon and spinach mousse

• Bottle size : standard 750ml
• Tasting date : 2006-12-11

Comments: Priced at $19 a bottle, this Crémant D’Alsace Rose is 100% Pinot Noir and 100% excellent. It features a delicate pale-pink color and loads of fine bubbles. For me, both the carbonation and the light floral qualities in the wine balanced its slight acidity. Some say Crémant D’Alsace Rose is creamy, although I failed to pick up on this quality. And unlike some sparkling wines I’ve tried in this price range, this Crémant D’Alsace Rose has no lingering or fowl aftertaste.

What I like about this wine, specifically for a special day like my wedding, is that it’s a somewhat unexpected choice for a toasting wine. It’s not overly dry like some champagnes, nor overly sweet like a prosecco. Just looking at the Cremant Rose is fun! I know that people will be asking one another “What is this interesting wine?” Rather than saying “Bleeeetch!” The only problem (or should I say benefit) in serving Cremant Rose in place of other sparkling wines is that you will surely be serving seconds.

• Overall :
  excellent
• Eye :
  delicate pale pink fine bubbles
• Nose :
  floral
• Mouth :
• Delicious with :

• Bottle size : standard 750ml
• Tasting date : 2006-11-11

Comments: Sensational! This wine had a fresh floral aroma and a crisp taste. The bubbles persisted for as long as it took to drain the glass. So we did. Then we ordered another, and then we threw caution to the wind and ordered a bottle: At $16 a pop (plus corkage), who wouldn't?

• Overall :
  sensational
• Eye :
  persistent bubbles
• Nose :
  fresh floral
• Mouth :
  crisp
• Delicious with :

• Bottle size : standard 750ml
• Tasting date : 2006-12-11

• Overall :
  disappointing
• Eye :
• Nose :
• Mouth :
  bland bitter aftertaste
• Delicious with :

• Bottle size : standard 750ml
• Tasting date : 2006-12-11

Comments: This straw-colored sparkler had excellent QPR with its aromas of pears, apples, and the yeasty smell of lightly-browned toast. One of the things I look for in a sparkler is a relatively small bead--smooth bubbles, not too big, moving to the top of the glass in a syncopated stream--and this wine has the right stuff. When you sip this very dry, brut wine, you taste apples with a little bit of a nutty edge, and finally a tiny bit of pithy bitterness.

Maybe it was the sunny label that influenced me, but I swear this tastes like Veuve Clicquot yellow label champagne. This certainly qualifies as a budget-friendly sparkling wine that you can buy in quantity for your holiday party and serve without embarrassment. It is undoubtedly the best under $10 sparkler I've had, given my taste preferences.

• Overall :
  excellent qpr party sparkler
• Eye :
  straw
• Nose :
  pear apple yeast toast
• Mouth :
  very dry apple nutty bitterness
• Delicious with :

• Bottle size : standard 750ml
• Tasting date : 2006-12-11

Comments: Nice light gold color with fine bubbles. Cantelope nose with carmel, light wood, yeast and lemon confit. In the mouth this wine is silky with nice creaminess and rich complexity. Wood is evident but intregrated with carmel, citrus, melon, some light apple notes and more. Full wine big and bold.

• Overall :
  big bold special sparkler
• Eye :
  nice light gold fine bubbles
• Nose :
  canteloupe caramel light wood yeast lemon confit
• Mouth :
  silky nice creaminess rich complex integrated wood caramel citrus melon apple
• Delicious with :

• Bottle size : standard 750ml
• Tasting date : 2006-12-10
• Tasting conditions : formal tasting

Comments: Light golden color with med sized bubbles. Creamy citrus nose with yeast and light apple notes. Good acidity and a full mouthfeel that is round and well polished. Citrus, yeasty bread, some green apple and more, the finish is suprisingly long for this wine. Recommened holiday treat!

• Overall :
  recommended party sparkler
• Eye :
  light golden medium-sized bubbles
• Nose :
  creamy citrus yeast light apple
• Mouth :
  good acidity full round well-polished citrus yeasty bread green apple long finish
• Delicious with :

• Bottle size : standard 750ml
• Tasting date : 2006-12-10

Comments: Deep sunset orange. Lively persistent fine pin point bubbles. Ill defined, generic sparkling nose (yeast, at times tea and citrus zest). In the mouth there is initial creaminess and it is dry without being bone dry. Has reasonable acidity though it lacks focus and line and it seems tinny and hollow.
Fair. At least this resembles wine!
14/20 (80/100).

• Overall :
  fair
• Eye :
  deep sunset orange lively bubbles persistent bubbles fine bubbles
• Nose :
  generic yeast tea citrus zest
• Mouth :
  initial creaminess dry reasonable acidity lacks focus tinny hollow
• Delicious with :

• Bottle size : half 375ml
• Tasting date : 2006-12-10

Comments: Color of water with some spilled food coloring. Just a very slight tinge of pink that was very translucent. The smell of berries was almost undetectable on the nose. Not much to talk about on the attack, the finish was a little more evident of slightly unripe strawberries. Might be nice with certain desserts. Not a lot of sweetness in this wine, so it won't compete with the pairing.

• Overall :
• Eye :
  slight tinge of pink
• Nose :
  berry
• Mouth :
  slightly unripe strawberries
• Delicious with :
  dessert

• Bottle size : standard 750ml
• Tasting date : 2006-12-10

Comments: A bit darker than the Blanc de Blanc - the Pinot Noir grapes must lend a bit of color - more honeyed. Smells like sweet carbonation, as if you added some honeysuckle syrup to tonic water. Very traditional in flavors. Dry, but not brut. Very enjoyable finish.

• Overall :
• Eye :
  honeyed
• Nose :
  sweet carbonation honeysuckle
• Mouth :
  traditional dry very enjoyable finish
• Delicious with :

• Bottle size : standard 750ml
• Tasting date : 2006-12-10

Comments: Colored like a light Chardonnay. Nose of yeast and a bit of green apple. Too sour - not enough sweetness to balance the acidity and not dry enough to be pleasantly dry. Finish was a bit yeasty. Not what I'd expect from an award winner.

• Overall :
• Eye :
  light chardonnay
• Nose :
  yeast green apple
• Mouth :
  too sour not dry enough yeasty finish unbalanced
• Delicious with :

• Bottle size : standard 750ml
• Tasting date : 2006-12-10

Comments: Sauvignon blanc in color. No nose at all that I could detect. Super fizzy. Good balance of sweetness and acidity. Not very yeasty. Fruit forward flavors of green apple and grapefruit.

• Overall :
• Eye :
  sauvignon blanc super fizzy
• Nose :
  none
• Mouth :
  good balance not very yeasty fruit forward green apple gapefruit
• Delicious with :

• Bottle size : standard 750ml
• Tasting date : 2007-12-10

Comments: With the price (about $15 or so) it’s a definite “Party” wine, but it’s also good enough that you might keep it for yourself. This wine pairs perfectly with rich chocolates. Pick up a bottle and give it a try. You’ll be glad you did.

• Overall :
  party sparkler
• Eye :
• Nose :
• Mouth :
• Delicious with :
  rich chocolate

• Bottle size : standard 750ml
• Tasting date : 2007-01-10

Comments: For me, this was a definite “Dud.” Others may enjoy this wine, but Catherine and I did not. Too much yeast on the nose, and even with a chill on it, the wine just didn’t have much going for it. I hate to say it, but that’s what I experienced. It’s entirely possible that I had a bad bottle.

• Overall :
  dud
• Eye :
• Nose :
  too much yeast
• Mouth :
• Delicious with :

• Bottle size : standard 750ml
• Tasting date : 2007-01-10

Comments: What I know about Prosecco could fit inside a matchbook cover, but this wine has inspired me to learn more. I know that the wine is made from the Prosecco grape, but that’s about it at this point. This wine runs about $18 per bottle, and it’s quite nice. For those who mentally link Italian sparkling wine with cheap, lousy Asti Spumante, this wine will break that link and convince you that there’s good sparklers coming out of Italy. I’m not sure where this fits into Culinary Fool’s categories–it’s not quite a “Special,” but it’s not quite a “Party” either. It’s not the price that concerns me…it’s just not a neat fit. I wouldn’t be embarrassed to serve this at a party, but I think I’d be more inclined to go with the Chandon instead. But, call it a “Party Sparkler” anyway.

• Overall :
  nice
• Eye :
• Nose :
• Mouth :
• Delicious with :

• Bottle size : standard 750ml
• Tasting date : 2007-01-10

Comments: If the name looks familiar, you may be thinking of its sister Champagne house, Moët & Chandon. This is about $18 per bottle, and for the price, it’s a fine sparkler. All the right elements are here: lively acidity, nice aromas, a decent finish. Methinks I’m going to pick up a case of this stuff. If you think California can’t make top quality sparkling wine, this one just might change your opinion. Is it the greatest? No, but it’s darn good. Call this one the best value of the bunch in this posting. Another “Party Sparkler” here, but a bit more money is required.

• Overall :
  darn good great value party sparkler fine
• Eye :
• Nose :
  nice
• Mouth :
  lively acidity decent finish
• Delicious with :

• Bottle size : standard 750ml
• Tasting date : 2007-01-10

Comments: This is a blend of 80% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Noir, two grapes that commonly find their way into sparkling wines wherever they are made. I picked this up at our local grocery store for about $10. I thought I had read somewhere that this was a pretty decent wine for the price, and I would agree. It’s crisp and refreshing. Nothing to get excited about, but at the price, it’s hard to ignore. It won’t be the best sparkling wine you’ve ever had, but it’s one you can drink any day of the week and not feel like you’re “wasting” a great bottle on a regular old everyday supper. This would fit into Culinary Fool’s “Party Sparkler” category.

• Overall :
  party sparkler good price
• Eye :
• Nose :
• Mouth :
  crisp refreshing
• Delicious with :

• Bottle size : standard 750ml
• Tasting date : 2007-01-10