Elyssia is separate label produced by Freixenet (pronounced ‘fresh-eh-NET) one of the largest producers of sparkling wine in the world. You may know Freixenet from their ubiquitous black Cordon Negro Cava, which is the #1 imported sparkling wine in the world. This Cava is different in that none of the grapes used in the traditional…
Category: Food and Wine Pairing
Everything You Need To Know To Enjoy Sparkling Holidays!
More than any other time of year, the holiday season is the time for bubbly. The challenge is the terminology around sparkling wine can be confusing. For example, and bubbly labeled “Extra Dry” is actually sweeter than one labeled “Brut”, which is the standard for dryness in sparkling wine. And since retailers are heavily…
T.G.I.F. Champagne and the like…2008 Raventos i blanc Cava L’Hereu Reserva Brut
For this week’s sparkler it’s back to what’s becoming a favorite of mine, Cava. Unlike Champagne, Cava isn’t from a particular region, rather it’s a term used for Spanish sparklers made in the traditional method (known as Méthode Champenoise) used in France. While there are some other regions in Spain that also make Cava, about 95%…
Sweet Sticky Things…Unique Dessert Wines From Around The World Tasting
A tasting of unique dessert wines from around the world
Dessert Wine Primer – Part 2; Late Harvest Dessert Wines
Late harvest is a term applied to wines that are made from grapes left on the vine longer than usual. Allowing the grapes to “hang” longer (to the point where the grapes may be similar to raisins) increases their sugar levels, making a sweeter wine. How long the grapes are left on the vine determines…
A Rut-Buster White Wine from Greece – Assyrtiko
The beginning of school is around the corner, and sadly, summer is winding down. Isn’t it time to break out of the Chardonnay, Blanc, and Pinot Grigio rut? Are you dreaming of something other than the staycation? How about a virtual trip to Greece? A refreshingly different wine from the Greek Island of Santorini, Assyrtiko will…
T.G.I.F. Bubbly – NV Segura Viudas Brut Reserva Cava
Highly recommended great QPR Cava!
HOW TO TASTE WINE: What Are Themed Wine Tastings?
Do you know what the six basic wine tasting themes are?
How To Spend $270,000 On Wine For Dinner Without Really Trying…
How to spend $270,000 on wine for a meal without really trying!
T.G.I.F. Champagne and the like – 2007 Raventós i Blanc Cava L’Hereu Reserva Brut
After my faith in Spanish Cava was restored by the “2007 Raventós i Blanc L’Hereu Nit” Brut Reserva Cava, I decided to try the non-Rosé version of the same wine this week. The wines are from the same vintage, so the difference between the two is the absence of red grape, Monastrell (a.k.a. Mourvèdre) from this wine….