“I within did flow. With seas of life, like wine.” Thomas Traherne, 1637-1674, Wonder.
In my last column I sang the praises of reasonably priced sparkling wines that potentially and practically matched the pedigree of true Champagne, a level that truly appeals to us parsimonious Milwaukeeans.
This week, I continued exploring more viable Champagne alternatives. Many of these were made exactly like their French brethren, using the Methode Champenoise (French Method) formula of winemaking. All were quite attractive, especially since their price points were so attainable.
You may note that I skipped the “bottom rung” sparkling wines like Andre, Cold Duck, etc. At the risk of sounding odiously snobby, I really don’t feel that these particular wines can quite meet the quality that I was seeking. (In other words, they would be quickly cut from the contestants of “So you think you can dance, sparklers.”) Many are made in large tanks using the bulk Charmat Process.
So, here are my summaries of tasting notes for the last five that promise to deliver fireworks of fun for truly attainable prices. All are available at shops like Sendik’s, Piggly Wiggly, Pick & Save and a few other outlets:
1) Poema Cava, Spain, $11.99. Clear white and bursting with ebullient bubbles. Light-to-medium body. The nose carried hints of light butterscotch and vanilla. In the mouth, for a change of pace, notes of grapefruit carried the day. Clean, light finish. B+
2) Pierre Chainier Rose Selection Brut, France, $9.99. Faint sunset blush with heavy body. The nose carried teases of subtle cranberry and strawberry. In the mouth, medium-forward fruit intertwined with strawberry carried the day. Medium finish, making it a delight for an al fresco picnic. B+
3) Bouvet Brut, Loire Valley, France, $14.99. This was always a home-run bubbly for me in college. Pure white with joyous bubbles. Faint, elegant nose with subtle hints of yeast. In the mouth, it danced around sparklingly with notes of spicy green apple. Subtle finish like Champagne – a fooler! A
4) Korbel, Sweet Cuvee, California, $9.99. Medium-heavy body. The nose strutted lemon and cream overlaid with a touch of vanilla. In the mouth, medium-sweet notes of lemon and cream continued, with a touch of peaches. Semi-sweet finish. A
5) Paringa Sparkling Shiraz, 2008, Australia, $13.99. Deep, ebullient ruby color with heavy, cloying body. Heady, profoundly rich nose of brambleberries and bold statements of Paso Robles (California) Zinfandel, along with chocolate and cherry. In the mouth, it was a rollercoaster ride of flavors – deep black currants followed by a long, almost clingingly sweet finish. A star with bold or blue-veined cheeses. Wildly good, mate! A+
Today’s winner was the Shiraz, followed by the Bouvet Brut and Korbel Sweet Cuvee.
I awarded my Price/Value nod to the Pierre Chainier Rose Seduction Brut.
