by Ray Johnson | May 15, 2008 | 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...
by Ray Johnson | May 7, 2008 | Anderson Valley, California, Chardonnay, Mendocino County, Napa Valley, North Coast, Pinot Noir, Sparkling Dry
This flight pits top wines from Schramsberg in Calistoga and Roederer Estate in Philo. Roederer Estate Anderson Valley L”Ermitage Estate Brut 2000 This has been a personal favorite balancing the racy house style with the complexity given by time on the lees and...
by Ray Johnson | May 7, 2008 | California, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, Sparkling Dry
J Russian River Valley late disgorged brut 1997 Smelling of acacia flowers and a bit of bread with brie, the mouth is elegant with richness and a the taste of warm biscuits. P&B in Healdsburg 12.5% $79.99 at Bottle Barn J
by Ray Johnson | May 7, 2008 | California, Carneros, Chardonnay, Napa Valley, Pinot Noir, Sonoma County, Sparkling Dry
Domaine Chandon etoile Brut This is true to type with the house style of forward fruit and a soft profile. The fruit source for this wine is 54% from Napa and 46% from Sonoma. After primary ferment this wine was put in the bottle for its secondary ferment in 2001 and...
by Ray Johnson | Mar 6, 2008 | California, Champagne, France, Mendocino County, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, Sparkling Dry
Brut and Natural are words that we use to describe the final dosage or sweetness level of sparkling wine. In France, Natural, Brut Nature or any of the various proprietary names communicating the same, ranges from 0 to 6 g/l. Brut, the next level of increasing...
by Ray Johnson | Dec 14, 2007 | Marlborough, New Zealand, Sparkling Dry
No.1 Family Estate Marlborough Cuvee No.1 Blanc de Blanc Sparkling Wine nv Crisp and concentrated, like biting into a green apple. As with Blanc de Blancs from Champagne, this is 100% Chardonnay, aged two years en tirage. Owner & winemaker Daniel Le Brun. Produced...
