T.G.I.F. Champagne and the like – N.V. Chandon Blanc de Noirs

This week’s selection is an old favorite, a “go to” sparkler that I’ve enjoyed over the years – Chandon Blanc de Noir.  Blanc de Noirs (a French term literally meaning “white of blacks”) are sparklers made with black, or red-skinned grapes – in this case Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. Domaine Chandon was the first…

T.G.I.F. Champagne and the like…2004 Korbel Le Premier

This week’s sparkling wine is a Korbel’s “ultimate reserve champagne”, from the 2004 vintage.  Korbel, which sells the largest volume of sparkling wine (over 1 million cases) produced using the Méthode Traditionnelle, makes a very modest 1400 cases of this “prestige” cuveé.  It’s unusual to see a vintage sparkler at this price point.  So what’s the difference…

Pinot Noir Night…And The Winner Is…

We held the bi-monthly Pacific Pointe Wine Tasting Club meeting last Friday night. Once again it was a fun, food, and wine filled evening.  We blind tasted 10 Pinot Noirs purchased for between $10, and $25 as follows: 2007 Kendall-Jackson Pinot Noir – $16 2004 David Bruce Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir – $17 2007…