sparkling wine RSS

california, chenin blanc, clarksburg, sparkling wine -

sparkling chenin blanc

California has a mixed history when it comes to sparkling wine. Although bubbles have been made since the nineteenth century, a lot of it was generic, labeled as "Champagne" (which some producers still do). There was little attempt to connect grape variety, place, and style to create a quality wine. As the renaissance of California wine began in the 1960s and 70s, there was a greater emphasis on quality. Schramsberg and Iron Horse were two of the first genuinely good local producers focusing on sparkling wine, and Champagne houses Moët et Chandon, Taittinger, Mumm, and, best of all, Louis Roederer...

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méthode cap classique, pinotage, south africa, sparkling wine, syrah -

south africa—from old to new

One of the many things I love about teaching WSET classes is the people I meet. A few years ago teaching WSET Diploma, one of my students was Peter Andrews. He's recently set up his own import business called Culture Wine Co., which is all South African wine. I was excited to taste some of the wines he's bringing into the US, and learn about the producers and their stories. South African wine is not always an easy sell in the States, so it's wonderful that the wines' reach is growing. South Africa is a country constantly undergoing a huge...

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alta langa, cava, mendoza, sparkling wine -

bubbles (not champagne!)

Champagne is of course wonderful—and I have some fantastic new wines in the club—but it’s not the only bubbles. In fact, as I’ve noted before, we’re enjoying a golden age of sparkling wine, with amazing wine being made around the world from regions you’ve heard of and regions you haven’t. There’s so much choice it can be hard to know where to start—but let’s try. One alternative sparkling wine you may have heard of is Cava, most of it made by the Mediterranean coast in Catalunya. Quality is higher than it’s ever been, with a renewed focus on expressing the...

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cava, champagne, england, sekt, sparkling wine -

when it’s not champagne

Unfortunately, sparkling wine no matter where it’s from is often referred to as “Champagne.” This of course is inaccurate: champagne must come from the Champagne region in north-east France. But what about sparkling wine that isn’t from Champagne? Although they don't always have the defined identity of champagne, these wines can represent great value if you know where to look. the other French stuff Crémant is an overall term for several appellations for French sparkling wine not from Champagne. The standardized term, formally introduced in 1985, was supposed to create a category recognizable to the consumer. However, there are two...

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