TdB | № 45 | Old World vs. New World

Tête de Bulle | № 45 | Old World vs. New World

Traditional Method Sparkling Wine

by Lyn M. Archer

Method Oregon offers a bold new off-ramp for bubble heads.

Recently, I participated in the Method Oregon Sparkling School Dosage Trials with co-panelist Thomas Houseman, General Manager of Radiant Sparkling Wine Co.

Thomas presented a blind tasting of five wines with differing dosage vehicles and sugar levels. The goal? Determine which wine(s) appealed to whom in the audience. No “right” answer. Just a study in nuance.

Tasting preferences, like fingerprints, differ according to individual. Some fizz fans like lean, bright, nervy wines. Others prefer sweeter sparklers, or creamier bubbles with layered aromas and flavors.

Similarly, dosage allows the winemaker a final “fillip,” or unique fingerprint, upon the wine prior to finishing.

During the trials, Thomas asked me to draw on my experience tasting countless sparkling wines worldwide to differentiate between “old” and “new” world sparkling wine styles. My response?

Link to Tête de Bulle on Substack here.

Find links to my ~ten-year coverage of Oregon sparkling wine in publications worldwide here.

Images by Lyn M. Archer. All Rights Reserved.

Scenes from sold-out Method Oregon Grand Tasting 2026:Shane Moore, winemaker – Gran Moraine, Domaine Willamette 2017 Extended Tirage Brut, Andrew Davis, founder – Radiant Sparkling Wine Co.; Mark Vlossak, founder/winemaker – St. Innocent Winery; Argyle 2017 Knudsen Vineyard Blanc de Blancs & 1996 Extended Tirage Brut, Dave Cho, winemaker/co-founder – CHO Wines; Michael Lundeen – winemaker/founder – Lundeen Wines, Pashey by Trisaetum 2023 Extra Brut Cuvée & Pinot Meunier, Erik Kramer, winemaker – Willakenzie Estate

Wines mentioned in this feature include:

Argyle Winery 2022 Knudsen Vineyard Brut

CHO Wines 2022 Mentaiko Brut Nature

Corollary Wines 2018 Extended Tirage Cuvée One

Domaine Willamette 2017 Extended Tirage Brut

Gran Moraine 2018 Blanc de Blancs

Lundeen Wines 2021 Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs

Lytle-Barnett 2018 Brut Rosé

Pashey by Trisaetum 2023 Pinot Meunier

St. Innocent Winery 2021 Crémant Rosé

Willakenzie Estate NV Èclatant Brut.

Disclaimer: Thank you to Method Oregon, Broussard Communication and Douglas on Third for hosting my media participation in Method Oregon Grand Tasting 2026 Sparkling School Dosage Trials.

Copyright Lyn M. Archer | L.M. Archer LLC 2026.