Tasting Notes, Feb. 16, 2019; Sparkling wines

Lake Chalice ‘Cracklin’ Savie’, NV

Marlborough, NZ

Regular Price $19.99

Sale price $15.99

This wine is just a whole lotta fun! Bright, grapefruit flavors jump from the glass, propelled by the CO2, followed by clean and zesty acidity, helped along by the bubbles. It’s both intense and wonderfully silly at the same time.

Soligo Brut Prosecco, NV

Treviso, IT

Regular Price $19.99

Sale price $15.99

This wine is from a co-op in northeastern Italy (50 km from Venice) that was formed in 1957 (long before Prosecco was a thing). Still made from 100% Glera (the grape that all Prosecco used to made of), its fresh and clean with the barest hint of sweetness.

Leo Hillinger Secco Rosé, NV

Osterreichischen, AS

Regular Price $18.99

Sale price $14.99

This wine of 100% Pinot Noir is light and fresh and berry scented and easy to like. Made in the the same method as Prosecco (carbonation added post-fermentation), its dry and crisp and refreshing.

Vajra N.S. Della Neve Extra Brut Rosé, NV

Piedmont, IT

Regular Price $34.99

Sale price $27.99

This wine is a blend of 50% Nebbiolo and 50% Pinot Noir and shows the delights of both. Farmed from barren, steep hillside vineyard, the vines are stressed and produce small quantities of intensely flavored berries. The resulting wine is structured and firm (due to the Nebbiolo) yet fruity and elegant (due to the Pinot Noir). The total is much more than the sum of its parts.

Gruet Brut, NV

Albuquerque, NM

Regular Price $19.99

Sale price $15.99

Very classic in the style of Champagne, this blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir is crisp with apple and brioche aromas and flavors. The first release of this New Mexican located but French owned and inspired house was in 1989.

Billecart-Salmon Brut Reserve, NV

Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, FR

Regular Price $63.99

Sale price $51.99

Billecart-Salmon celebrated their bicentennial in 2018 and are still owned and operated by the founding family. This wine, their ‘basic’ cuvee is a blend of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier, from three different vintages. It’s a wine of finesse and elegance; subtle and gentle, perfect as an aperitif or with a wide range of foods.