by Ray Johnson | May 16, 2008 | Italy, Moscato d'Asti, Muscat, Piemonte, Sweet Sparkling
Michele Chiarlo Moscato d’Asti DOCG 2007 Perfect White Muscat smells of orange blossoms and a multitude of other flowers. In the mouth one feels like you’ve just popped a handful of flowers passed your lips, with sweetness and delicacy. P&B in...
by Ray Johnson | May 16, 2008 | California, Chardonnay, Napa Valley, Pinot Noir, Sparkling Dry
Mumm Napa Napa Valley Grande Annee 2001 Lots of citrus fruit in the sparkler of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. A lighter-bodied sparkling that is fruit driven, rounded and possessing some floral/minty characteristics. P&B in Rutherford 12.5% $30 at the winery...
by Ray Johnson | May 16, 2008 | Anderson Valley, California, Champagne, France, Mendocino County, Sparkling Dry
We’ve looked at different styles of brut sparkling before. This flight illustrates some more contrast in what this word can mean. Roederer Estate, Anderson Valley, Estate Bottled, Brut nv This wine is consistently the personification of green apples – lip...
by Ray Johnson | May 16, 2008 | 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...
by Ray Johnson | May 16, 2008 | California, Sparkling Lightly Sweet
Extra dry has always been the most confusing phrase on bottles of bubbly. Of course it is not really extra dry as the name implies. Rather it is drier than the sweetest styles of bubbly. Korbel California Champagne Extra Dry nv There’s 1.5% dosage for a touch of...
