1/10/2023 0 Comments Ryan lorentz vimrThus, a cooler climate near a moderating lake allows for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes, plus Pinot Blanc, to thrive. The appellation of Franciacorta falls within the province of Brescia in the hills just south beyond Lake Iseo in Northern Italy. The wines reflect the style, complexity and quality of the premier French region, but taste very much of place. Producers located in Lombardy’s Franciacorta naturally declare themselves to be the finest producers of high-quality Metodo Classico, or sparkling wine made in the traditional (Champagne) method. Franciacorta, Italy: Ca’ del Bosco, Cuvee Prestige NVĪ competition has long been brewing between Italy’s leading sparkling wine regions.The Bloomsbury Brut, a blend of all three grapes, has a fine mousse and great finesse, with lively green apple, white peach and lemon notes on the long finish. Ridgeview is a leading producer and one of the easier brands to find in the United States. Cool nights and an overall cooler climate, allow the grapes to retain their bright, sharp flavors even when fully ripe, making it an ideal growing area for the classic Champagne trio: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. The local climate and limestone soils are akin to Champagne, almost 90 miles south. In fact, a changing – warming – climate almost guarantees a long lifespan for the relatively nascent region of Sussex, England. Once the new kid on the block, British fizz has fast proven itself in a competitive category, winning prestigious awards that confirm it’s here to stay. Sussex, England: Ridgeview, Bloomsbury Brut 2014.The result: a crisp, mineral-driven wine with a pretty nose and palate of white flowers, pear, and citrus, on a lengthy finish. He foregoes the final dollop of sweetness, known as dosage, to make a fully dry ‘Brut Nature’. Every year in small quantities he bottles a 100 percent sparkling Chenin Blanc. A biodynamic farmer who strives for transparency and authenticity in his wines, Chidaine is revered by many wine lovers and professionals. Within the appellation of Montlouis-Sur-Loire, across from Vouvray, works and lives François Chidaine. But the white grape that dominates the sparklers of this long, river-hugging region is not Chardonnay but Chenin Blanc. Like Burgundy, Loire Valley, too, makes superb fizz. Loire Valley, France: Chidaine, Brut Nature Methode Traditionelle 2015.The wine shows purity of fruit, lovely mineral notes, and a creamy full mousse. Made from 50% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay, and 15% Aligote, the wine is aged for 18 months on the lees, and provides a perfect jumping off point for discovering the category. Mikulski, a vigneron from Meursault, has some of the finest vineyard holdings in the village, and while his still wines are hard to find, his affordable Crémant (around $24) can still be tracked down around the U.S. Crémant refers to the category of French bubbles made with the same technique as Champagne, but from outside the Champagne region. If the best Champagne is made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, and Burgundy produces the finest still wines from those grapes, shouldn’t Burgundy have the potential to make wonderful sparkling wine? Well, it does, and it’s called Crémant de Bourgogne. Burgundy, France: Domaine Francois Mikulski, Crémant de Bourgogne.So, if 2018 begins with a pledge to broaden your horizons, you can start with the fizz in your glass. High-quality and good value alternatives come from every corner of the world nowadays. As you reach for bottles to celebrate the close of 2017, consider sipping beyond the popular categories of Champagne and Prosecco. Of course, no occasion proves more appropriate for sparklers than the turning over of a new year. Last year, for example, sparkling wine sales in the U.S. The stats are in: Americans love bubbles, having embraced them not only for celebrations but as a year-round drink. If you missed my USA Today article, I’ve reposted it here for your convenience. The bottling line at Ferrari in Trentino, Italy.
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