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Archive for category Sparkling

Wine of the Day – Cava

Dec 31

Posted by greatWineSource in Spain, Sparkling, Wine of the Day | 1 Comment

Wine of the Day for December 31, 2009

Cava

Cava is the Spanish version of Champagne, at least it started out that way, but Spanish winemakers believe that Cava is different enough from its French sister to warrant its own moniker, named after “cave” in the Catalan region of Spain.

Cava is made in the same method as Champagne, however, Cava is made with one or more specific white grape varietals: Parellada, Xarel lo, Macabeo, and Chardonnay. Rose’ Cava blends these white varietals with others such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Tempranillo to provide the light rose beautiful hue and complexity to the wine.

Cavas have persistent mousse of bubbles, and generally aromas of apple, honey with a light touch of sweetness. Again, as with Champagne, Cava can range from Sweet to Extra Brut (very, very dry)!

A good pairing for your New Year Festivities and Cava would be Dates Stuffed with Goat Cheese. If you’d like this recipe, let me know!

Enjoy, have a very SAFE and Happy New Year and Cheers to full glasses all around!

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Wine of the Day – Champagne

Dec 30

Posted by greatWineSource in France, Sparkling, Wine of the Day | 2 Comments

Wine of the Day for December 30, 2009

Champagne

True “Champagne” comes from Champagne, France (although U.S. wineries and other wineries have historically tried to capitalize on the Champagne name). The Chardonnay grape is used in virtually all Champagnes, and Champagnes are also blended with Pinot Noir grapes and Pinot Meunier (yes, these are “red” grapes, but many white wines come from red grapes – it’s the skins that provide the color). These grapes are not harvested from one source or in one year. (Hint: if you don’t see a year on your wine bottle, the grapes were harvested in different years.)

So, what gives Champagne its distinctiveness? Along with the climate and region that sets Champagne apart, it’s the Champenois process that provides the nearly 56 million bubbles and hint of sweetness. The Champenois process involves a second fermentation inside the bottles (carbon dioxide gases are trapped inside the bottle creating the bubbles). During the bottle fermentation, the bottles are riddled (turned and up-ended) so that by the time the bottles are upside down, the yeast is in the bottle neck. The neck is then “frozen” (placed in a brine solution that freezes the bottle neck and the yeast within). When the bottle is turned upright and cap removed, the yeast pops out. At this point, some reserve wine and sugar is added to the Champagne and this will determine ultimately the level of sweetness or in other words, how dry the wine becomes.

Champagnes may have started out as sweet bubbly wines, but most Champagnes today are dry. If you like a very bubbly, dry wine, go for the Champagne – and impress your friends with a little knowledge about how it’s made. Oh, and contrary to what you may see on television or other parties, Champagne is meant to be drank with food. So enjoy the bubbly, but pair it with a light appetizer, such as sushi. If you want something sweet, go for the Asti d’Moscato I blogged about on the 29th and pair that with light sweet desserts.

Cheers to full glasses all around!

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Wine of the Day – Moscato d’Asti

Dec 28

Posted by greatWineSource in Italy, Sparkling, Wine of the Day | 1 Comment

Wine of the Day for December 29, 2009

Moscato d’Asti

Surprise! I decided to start a bit early to give everyone a jump start on the New Year’s celebration. After all, you’ll want to know what sparkling to purchase for your evening. These posts are going to try to be short and to the point, without a lot of flowery commentary. However, occasionally, I may add in a comment or two. My comment for the day: Please be safe on New Year’s Eve; drink responsibly and if you drink please do not drive.

On to the wine

Moscato d’Asti is named for the grape varietal and the Piedmont region in Italy where the moscato grapes are grown (although you’ll find Moscato d’Asti that were not produced in Italy). Many who love this wine enjoy the light sweetness, generous fruit aromas (peach and orange or tangerine are common), unassuming effervescence (fizzy not too bubbly) and lower alcohol content this wine presents.

You’ll want to select a Moscato d’Asti that is young and fresh (purchase soon after its release), and contrary to other sparkling wines, because of its light effervescence, you can drink Moscato d’Asti out of a white wine glass (although I do love how flutes present this gorgeous wine).

Cheers to full glasses all around!

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