The Eyrie Vineyards Spark NV
Dark salmon, with an ultra-fine mousse that washes over the palate like the tide coming in, Eyrie’s Spark NV is a poetic blend of 55% Pinot Noir, 37% Chasselas Doré, and 8% Pinot Blanc that’s aged for 12 months on the lees in neutral French oak. It’s bone dry with a core of bright red […]
Fitz-Ritter Riesling Sekt Extra Trocken NV
Apricot, dewy pear and a whiff of diesel and laurel leaf anoint the nose. Delicately embroidered bubbles play off tightly coiled acidity that gathers at the sides of the tongue—Fritz-Ritter’s Riesling Sekt is the very picture of lightness—chalk and slate-flecked minerality burbles along, twining a pretty streak of candied pink grapefruit on the finish. 12.0% […]
Mionetto Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Superiore di Cartizze Dry NV
From Mionetto’s Luxury Collection, the Cartizze DOCG Dry NV is produced from select grapes grown along the steepest hillsides of the Valdobbiadene. The color of onion skin, it offers up an elegant, tender nose of yellow apple, d’Anjou pear, almond pastry, granulated honey, wet porcelain clay, and citrus blossom. Cascading, voluminous bubbles lead into a […]
Apothic Californian Sparkling Red NV
An excellent value, Apothic’s latest introduction to their lineup is a Californian sparkling red made from a bevy of undisclosed varieties. It’s a deep shade of carmine red, with a steady stream of lively bubbles—morello cherries, vanilla, and strawberry jam made up the nose and palate with a subtle touch of orange pith shining through […]
Nathalie Falmet Le Val Cornet Brut Champagne 2010
From the Côte des Bar region of Champagne, Nathaalie Falmet’s single-vineyard 2010 Brut Le Val Cornet is a revelation—offering up rippling, glinting layers of yellow apple, golden raspberry, buttercream frosting, croissant, hazelnut skins, curling parchment, wet porcelain clay, and an ephemeral wisp of smoke. In the mouth, a burbling and delicate bead steadily rises through […]
Bollicini Sparkling Trio NV
Sparkling Cuvée NV Straw-hued and gently sparkling, Bollicini’s Sparkling Cuvée is the latest in a trio of canned wines I’ve received to evaluate. And while not complex, this undisclosed blend of “Italian white varietals” has plenty of charm—orchard fruit, apples, white peaches, and pears and acacia honey are in abundance with a touch of lemon […]
La Marca Luminore Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore NV
Sun-dappled and clinquant as its name suggests, a fine net of bubbles wells up from the core of La Marca’s aptly named Luminore Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore. Delicate aromas of d’Anjou pear, white peach, granulated honey, parchment, and linden blossom wink in and out of focus. Crisp and vibrant on the palate, it lacks the […]
Mionetto Il Prosecco N.V.
The color of sun-bleached straw, Mointetto’s charming non-vintage Il Prosecco is delicately embroidered with notes of granulated honey, dewy orchard pear, spring flowers, and chamomile. Expect a soft, unobtrusive mousse held aloft by a bright acid vein that courses through this crisp and inexpensive Italian bubbly. 6% g/l RS, 11.0% ABV | Sample Mionetto 88 […]
Dobbes Family Estate “Elements” Rosé Oregon Bubbles Seabreeze Vineyard 2017
Glinting pale salmon, Dobbes Rosé 2017 Seabreeze Vineyards Oregon Bubbles is crisp and clean, offering up bright notes of pie cherries, wild strawberries, and red-skinned apples. A lively mousse and livelier acidity shows off this wine’s marine origins. Pink grapefruit notes dominate the close. 12.5% ABV | Sample It’s worth noting that Dobbes donates 10% […]
Georges Laval Cumières Brut Nature Champagne Premier Cru 2008
The color of onion skin, the 2008 Georges Laval Cumières Brut Nature Champagne Premier Cru is earthy, smoky, and sensuous with swirling chalkboard dust giving way to preserved lemon and dried orange peel, granulated honey, whipped butter, and fresh croissant. The mousse is especially fine, and accented by a driving finish that peels back layers […]