The Hedonistic Taster
Sparkling Wines for the Holidays
by L.M. Archer | FWS, Bourgogne + Champagne ML
Time to celebrate the end of this year in style – with bubbles, of course!
Disclaimer: No compensation is received; all opinions expressed are that of the author.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Nyetimber Blanc de Blanc – West Sussex & Hampshire, England
Vintage: 2013
Alcohol: 12%
Note: Find key winemaking dates online here.
Suggested Retail: $ 82
Robe: Pale golden color, pinpoint bubbles, fine mousse.
Nose: Citrus, brioche, delicate white flower aromas.
Palate: That’s right. English bubbles. Believe it or not, the Dover cliffs of England share the same kimmeridgean chalk soils as that of Champagne, Sancerre, and Chablis. This complex wine pours out with a beautiful brioche, lemon and soft fleurs blanches notes. Sublime.
More about Nyetimber here.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Adelsheim Brut Rosé Sparkling Wine – Bryan Creek Vineyard, Chehalem Mountains AVA + Ribbon Springs Vineyard, Ribbon Ridge AVA
Vintage: 2015
Alcohol: 12 %
Suggested Retail: $ 75
Robe: Beautiful blush-hued robe.
Nose: On the nose, a riot of ripe strawberries, lush florals, and toasty brioche.
Palate: 2015 Adelsheim Sparkling Brut Rosé elicits a specific sense of place. Lovely texture on the palate, with notes of orange peel, Turkish delight, and more red fruit. The whimsical, primary colored label nods to this wine’s ebullient charm.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Adelsheim Blanc de Blancs Sparkling Wine – Bryan Creek Vineyard, Chehalem Mountains AVA + Crawford Beck Vineyard, Eola-Amity Hills AVA
Vintage: 2014
Alcohol: 12.5%
Suggested Retail: $ 95
Robe: Lilting lemon robe, ultra-fine bubbles, and cashmere-soft mousse.
Nose: Aging 58 months on lees yields intoxicating aromas of almonds, rusk, green apple and pear.
Palate: On the palate, angled acids and zingy lemon zest cry for something fried, please! The subdued silver and burnished copper label hints at this wine’s aristocratic bearing. A fine-boned pour.
More about Adelsheim here.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Trisaetum Pashey Sparkling Brut Rosé – Willamette Valley
Vintage: 2017
Alcohol: 12.8%
Suggested Retail: $ 65 SOLD OUT
Robe: Burnished copper robe. Vibrant, ultra-fine pinpoint bubbles. Generous, luxurious mousse.
Nose: Brilliant brioche, red fruit, rose aromas on the nose.
Palate: A lively, opulent expression of Oregon sparkling wine, on par with any grower champagne. Tight, bright acids. Pain d’epices, lemon zest, tropical (pineapple) fruit, crushed red raspberry on the attack, followed by fleshy golden apple mid-palate, and a zippy citron and orange zest finish.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Trisaetum Pashey Sparkling Estates Cuvée Extra Brut – Willamette Valley
Vintage: 2017
Alcohol: 12.6%
Suggested Retail: $ 65
Robe: Pale straw robe. Ultra-fine bubbles, diffuse mousse.
Nose: Magnificent marzipan, citron, and brioche nose.
Palate: Subtle Meyer lemon, brioche attack; green herbal back note on the lingering finish. Exquisite structure, elegant acids, and creamy texture. Quaff-worthy from start to finish.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Trisaetum Pashey Sparkling Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut – Ribbon Ridge Estate
Vintage: 2017
Alcohol: 12%
Suggested Retail: $ 65 SOLD OUT
Robe: Pale gold robe. Pinpoint bubbles, delicate mousse.
Nose: Potent dried apricot, golden apple, citrus aromas.
Palate: Zesty acids, lemon zest, golden apple, pink grapefruit palate. Excellent texture, balance, structure. A wine for all seasons, all reasons.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Trisaetum Pashey Sparkling Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut – Coast Range Estate
Vintage: 2017
Alcohol: 12%
Suggested Retail: $ 65
Robe: Light straw robe, pinpoint bubbles, ethereal mousse.
Nose: Exquisite brioche, marzipan, and lemon curd nose.
Palate: Sumptuous almond, golden apple, pear, rusk notes on the palate. Like drinking Cashmere.
More about Trisaetum Pashey Sparkling Wines here.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Tenuta Montemagno TM Brut 24 Mesi Metodo Classico Vino Spumante – Montemagno
Vintage: N/V
Alcohol: 13%
Suggested Retail: $ 25
Robe: Soft salmon robe.
Nose: Delicate notes of red fruit. Pinpoint bubbles, creamy mouse.
Palate: Wow. You had me at 100% Barbera d’Asti, aged 24 months in barrel. Produced in Montemagno (Asti) – Monferrato wine region on clay, limestone, and marly silt soils. Lively, fun, and easy drinking.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Tenuta Montemagno TM Brut 36 Mesi Metodo Classico Vino Spumante – Montemagno
Vintage: N/V
Alcohol: 13%
Suggested Retail: $ 25
Robe: Golden amber robe.
Nose: Rusk, orange zest, earthy red and golden fruit aromas. Energetic, fine bubbles. Generous mousse.
Palate: Piquant quince, crabapple, red and golden apple attack carries through mid-palate. Savory, dried yellow meadow flowers soften the finish. Masterful construction. More, please!
More about Tenuta Montemagno here.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Val D’Oca Rosé Sparkling Wine
Vintage: N/V
Alcohol: 11.5 %
Suggested Retail: $ 12.99
Robe: Pale rose petal pink. Pinhead bubbles, generous mousse.
Nose: Effervescent red berry nose.
Palate: Naughty but nice. Spirited wild strawberry and fresh raspberry notes, with slightly savory finish promise to steal the show at any brunch!
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Val D’Oca Prosecco DOC Sparkling Wine
Vintage: N/V
Alcohol: 11%
Suggested Retail: $ 12.99
Robe: Pale gold hue
Nose: Stone fruit (white nectarine), crisp yellow apple, sun-drenched meadow flower aromas.
Palate: Soft citrus and stone fruit attack follows through mid-palate to a delicate finish.
More about Val D’Oca here.
More The Hedonistic Taster here.
Copyright ©2020 L.M. Archer. All Rights Reserved.
Really enjoyed the NyeTimber!
The quality surprised me! 🥂🍾