Ray Johnson’s Wine Blog

2 shades of extra dry

Posted in July 15th, 2008

by Ray in Cava, Italy, Prosecco, Spain, Veneto

Cristalino, Cava, Extra Dry nv This wine isn’t amazing but it has a hint of RS, it truly is methode champenoise and it’s cheap. The grapes are Macabeo, Parellada and Xarel-lo, traditionally grown in the Penedes for Cava. Produced by Jaume Serra in Vilanova i la Geltru, just south of Barcelona 11.5% $6.29 at Bottle [...]

Cava cava

Posted in May 16th, 2008

by Ray in Cava, Chardonnay, Penedes, Spain

Codorniu Cava Reserva Raventos Brut nv
Intense gunflint in the nose along with some mustiness. There’s some grippy astringency in the mouth. Let’s give it the benefit of the doubt and say it has a low level of cork taint. Made from traditional grapes of Penedes and Chardonnay. Elaboradora in Sant Sadurni d’Anoia 11.5% $13.99 at [...]

Night o’ pink sparkling

Posted in May 15th, 2008

by Ray in Blanc de Noirs, Burgundy, California, Carneros, Cava, Champagne, Chardonnay, Cremant de Bourgogne, France, Napa Valley, Penedes, Pinot Noir, Rosé, Sonoma County, Spain, Sparkling Dry

Tonight we taste 8 different bubblies on the pink side, from Spain, north to Burgundy and Champagne and finally back home to California.
Codorniu Cava Pinot Noir Brut nv
Earthy and coarse - a real disappointment. All Pinot Noir fermented in the bottle tasted, as in methode champenoise. Elaborador in Saint Sadurni d’Anoia in the Penedes 12% [...]