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…

T.G.I.F. Champagne and the like…NV Louis Bouillot Cremant de Bourgogne Perle d’Aurore

This week’s sparkling wine is a Crémant from the Burgundy region of France, the N.V. Louis Bouillot Perle d’ Aurore (Pearl of Dawn).  It is a sparkling Rosé. Burgundy is best known for their world-class Pinot Noir and White Burgundy (Chardonnay). N.V. Louis Bouillot Cremant de Bourgogne Rosé “Perle d’Aurore” Region: France; Burgundy; Cremant de Bourgogne…