Wine

Along The Napa Sparkling Wine Trail – Mumm Napa

Posted by Martin D. Redmond on

Mumm Napa is one of five sparkling wine producers in the Napa Valley and Carneros, that aside from Mumm, includes Gloria Ferrer, Domaine Carneros, Chandon,  and Schramsberg.  The five compose the Sparkling Wine Trail.  Each has its own charm, and they all have wonderful sparkling wines.  I’ve previously visited Gloria Ferrer (wonderful Chateau in beautiful Carneros), Chandon (world-class restaurant Etoile on site), and Schramsberg (the best cave tour!).  In the case of Mumm, it is known for having one of the best tours (click here for a virtual tour) and their Fine Art Photography Gallery.  I didn’t get a chance to take a tour because they were booked, but I did get a chance to taste their wonderful sparkling wines.

Mumm Napa is a joint venture between G.H. Mumm & Cie, of France, and Joseph E Seagram & Sons.  G.H. Mumm & Cie was founded in 1827, ironically by the von Mumms, German winemakers who trace their ancestry back to medieval times. The Napa location was founded by in 1979 by Guy Deveaux, who passed away in 1995.  Mumm produces an upscale line of “DVX” sparkling wines in his honor.  In addition to a diverse lineup of sparkling wines, they also produce Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay still wines.

Flight of Mumm White and Red Sparklers Overlooking Their Beautiful Vineyards

I highly recommend making a stop along the sparkling wine trail when you’re in Napa. Not only will you taste world-class sparklers, each takes pride in offering great still wines too!

My tasting notes follow:

  • 2006 Mumm Napa DVX Rosé – USA, California, Napa Valley
    Pretty light salmon color with tiny pin point bubbles, and bread dough, tangerine, and red fruit aromas. On the palate, creamy mousse with cherry, citrus, vanilla flavors, and a medium finish. 50% Chard/50% Pinot Noir. Four years on lees. (89 pts.)
  • 2005 Mumm Napa DVX – USA, California, Napa Valley
    Light yellow straw color with brioche, floral aromas. On the palate medium-bodied, and balanced with fuji apples, vanilla, and a hint of spice flavors. Long finish. 5 years on lees. (89 pts.)
  • 2003 Mumm Napa DVX – USA, California, Napa Valley
    Very light golden-yellow straw color with fresh bread dough, slight floral, and ginger aromas. On the palate, elegant, medium-bodied, balanced with pear and citrus flavors, and zippy acidity. Medium finish. Aged 6 years on lees. (92 pts.)
  • N.V. Mumm Napa Pinot Noir Cuvée M Red – USA, California, Napa Valley
    Deep ruby color with persistent stream of tiny bubbles, and sweet bread and red fruit aromas. On the palate relatively creamy mousse, and a creamy mouthfeel with red plum, spice flavor. Sec, slightly sweet style with short medium finish. 96% Pinot Noir/4% Syrah. 12.5% ABV. (87 pts.)
  • N.V. Mumm Napa Pinot Noir Sparkling – USA, California, Napa Valley
    Carmine with stream of tiny pin point bubbles, and fresh bread dough, cherry aromas. On the palate dry brut style, medium-bodied, with enough tannins to make it interesting, with ripe plum and cherry flavors, and a medium finish. 100% Pinot Noir. I really enjoyed this one. I’m looking forward to having for Thanksgiving! (89 pts.)
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3 Comments

  1. Rhiannon, iWINEo says:
    November 26, 2011 at 4:13 pm

    I write a blog in Australia about wine, but I’m going to be in the USA this December to get married! One of our first stops will be Napa, any suggestions you might have would be much appreciated!

    1. Martin D. Redmond says:
      November 26, 2011 at 10:53 pm

      Hi Rhiannon,
      Thanks for the comment. I like your blog. Congratulations on your forthcoming wedding! Great question about Napa…I can probably be more helpful if if you give me info about which varietals you prefer and how long you plan to stay. But my initial recommendations without that info would be:

      1. Robert Mondavi (the winery that started Cali’s modern winemaking era)
      2. If you want to add a sparkling wine house to your itinerary, I’d recommend Schramsberg (great cave tour and wines), although Chandon is more centrally located
      3. Beaulieu Vineyard
      4. Alpha Omega (stays open to 6P – probably want to make this your last stop of the day

      The aforementioned are larger wineries. If your’re looking for a smaller winery that’s more intimate consider Ehlers Estate, or Tres Sabores
      Lastly if you’re looking to get off the beaten path a bit (Highway 29 can be a parking lot at times) consider going to Carneros region (Hess Collection, or perhaps Domaine Carneros for bubbly)

      Hope this helps…there are lots of great wineries in Napa (Sonoma too) so it’s mostly a matter of the varietals you prefer, and the “experience” you’re looking for..

      Downtown Napa has a lot of great restaurants (the wineries are many miles away from Downtown Napa), but it’s a nice place to stop after a day of wine tasting

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