Piccini Vino Spumante Extra Dry NV
A straightforward Prosecco made in the Charmat method from the Treviso province. Piccini’s Vino Spumante Extra Dry is bright and lively with notes of freshly cut yellow apples and cheery meadow flowers. On the palate, fine bubbles and a dash of citrus race across a lovely acid spine. It’s very pleasant and very quaffable. A […]
Gruet Brut Rosé
You have to admire what the proprietors of Gruet have accomplished—a husband and wife team from France, both had dreamed of producing a high-quality sparkling wine using méthode champenoise. Planting vines at high-altitude in New Mexico was, admittedly a gamble, and they’ve succeeded. Perhaps even more remarkable, they produce a lovely bubbles for under $20.00. […]
Carpenè Malvolti Conegliano Valdobbiadene Superiore Extra Dry Prosecco NV
I picked up a dainty and modestly priced half bottle of Prosecco for lunch. It’s lightly perfumed with ripe d’Anjou pear and white peach along with the faintest top note of dried honey and wildflowers. I appreciate that it’s extra dry—as it comes across as less sappy than is typical for Prosecco, with a bit […]
Martini & Rossi Spumante Rosé NV
A fun, festive porch wine, this charming rosé was the first in a lineup of Bubbly Pinks at Pebble Beach Food & Wine. The Martini & Rossi Rosé NV opens with a lively and classic Muscat-ish nose of honey and chamomile flowers. The mousse is fine, yet spirited and there is enough acidity to give lift […]
Raventós i Blanc Conca del Riu Anoia Barcelona de Nit 2011
One of the more serious Cava’s I’ve had the pleasure of tasting. In part, due to calcareous soils and a long, long tenure of the land. Raventós estate vineyards have been tended by the same family since the late 1400s. Aside from the gorgeous pink hue and lively bubbles, the nose is pure fruit. Wild […]
Ameztoi Getariako Txakolina Hijo de Rubentis Rosé 2014
Always a favorite, the Ameztoi Rubentis Getariako Rosé 2014 is a slightly effervescent, refreshing, classic Txakolina pink. Made from 150 year-old indigenous Hondarribi Zuri and Hondarribi Beltza grapes, it displays fresh, vibrant notes of pie cherries, hibiscus, and turbinado sugar. In the mouth, tart red fruit takes a back seat to minerality—oyster shells, sea foam, […]