Since February, I’ve been enjoying sparkling wines from around the world on a weekly basis, and blogging about it in my “T.G.I.F. Champagne and the like… series. One of the things I’ve learned, is that there are plenty of sparklers that offer great bang for the buck. I’ve found some very good to excellent sparklers for less than $20, including, to my surprise a few Rosé sparklers, which are among the food friendliest of wines. My top 10 list follows:
- NV Taltarni Brut Tache – (Australia) Lovely pale salmon color with floral, stone fruit (peaches/apricots), and fresh-baked scone aromas. On the palate, approaching medium-bodied, with a creamy mousse with watermelon, red berry, and a bit of hazelnut flavors. Dry with a light fruitiness, good acidity, and a clean medium long finish.
- Schramsberg Mirabelle Brut Rose – (California) Delicate pink color with strawberry and bread dough aromas. On the palate, moderately creamy mousse, good acidity, focused, fruity, yet dry, and lively, with strawberries, raspberries and a touch of citrus, and spice flavors. Medium finish.
- 2008 Raventos i Blanc L’Heure Blanc Brut Reserva – (Spain) Very light straw yellow color with plenty of tiny bubbles, and yeast, green apple aromas. On the palate, a wonderful creamy mousse uncommon at this price point, dry, and approaching medium-bodied with apple, and a hint on citrus flavors. Medium finish
- NV Graham Beck Brut Rose – (South Africa) Watermelon pink color with a hint of silver with aromas of yeast, and raspberries. On the palate, a creamy mousse, fruity, yet dry, with crisp acidity and raspberries, cherries flavors, with a slight mineral overtone, and a hint of citrus on the back palate. Short-medium finish. Great QPR!
- NV Gruet Blanc de Noirs – (New Mexico) Salmon color with an abundance of dispersed tiny bubbles with brioche and apple aromas. On the palate approaching medium bodied with a moderately aggressive mousse, balanced with pear, sweet baking spice, vanilla, and nuanced citrus flavors. Short finish .
- 2008 Antech “Cuvée Eugénie” Crémant de Limoux – (France) Light straw color with brioche, Fuji apple, and floral aromas. On the palate, crisp with zippy acidity, a moderately creamy mousse, and sweet green apple, pear, and toast flavors. Medium finish.
- NV Jean Louis Denois Brut Tradition – (France) Light straw color with bread dough, and apples aromas. On the palate creamy, dry, and crisp, with good acidity with pear, apple, hazelnuts flavors along with a touch of minerals. Medium finish. Very good QPR.
- NV Segura Viudas Brut Reserva – (Spain) Light straw color with fine bead of bubbles with bread dough and lemon-lime citrus aromas. On the palate, light bodied, with moderately creamy mousse with green apple, and tart citrus flavors. Short finish. This one is “everyday” sparkler for me. It’s a great value at $9/bottle!
- Mionetto Brut Prosecco Treviso – (Italy) Very light – the color of clarified butter, with sweet bread,wet stone and citrus aromas. On the palate, closer to off-dry than dry for me, fairly well-balanced, with sweet lemon-lime, fuji apple, and slight vanilla flavors. It grew on me more and more with each sip. Medium finish.
- 2008 Korbel Natural – (California) Pale golden-yellow color with yeast ,red fruit, and apple aromas. On the palate light bodied, crisp, between dry and off-dry. Straight-forward with cherry, apple, minerals, and a touch of honey flavors. Short-medium finish.
Click here to find these wines.
In addition to the sparklers noted above, there are a handful of sparklers I heartily recommend that didn’t make the list because they retail for more than $20. However, because they are widely distributed, they frequently go on sale. When they do – grab a bottle and see for yourself!
(Listed in order of preference)
- Roederer Estate Brut – Purchased recently for $19/bottle
- Mumm Brut Prestige
- Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Noirs – Purchased recently for $15/bottle
- Chandon Blanc de Noirs (Sold at Costco for $12.50/bottle)
- Gloria Ferrer Sonoma Brut
- Mumm Napa Brut Rosé – Purchased recently for $16/bottle
Love your choices. We recently took clients through Mumm in Champagne, and enjoyed it quite a lot. Will look for the Denois when we’re in Paris next week. Thanks for the new tip!
Thanks!All the wineries on the Napa Sparkling Wine Trail have something special to offer. Paris, huh? I went for my honeymoon a few years ago. Love the city. Let me know if you find some deals on Champagne! Cheers!
p.s.Thanks for the blogger nomination…