Lovers of Sparkling Wines

[ChefJune]

I know we've talked about Gruet before, but...

We've been sipping Gruet NV Brut all evening and commenting on its structure and good taste. We pay a paltry $10.99 for a bottle. It sells for a bit more in other stores, but we think it's still a great value wine, and more.

I think I like this better than several Champagnes I've had recently that cost quite a lot more.

Thought it was worth mentioning.

[Splendid Wine Snob]

Chef June,

I discovered Gruet for the first time 2 summers ago while touring Northern California. I thought it was delicious and exceedingly good value. Pity we can't get it here in Ontario.

SWS

[veenaprasad]

I love lambrusco. I tried a sparkling malbec for the first time a week ago and was hooked. Nieto Senetiner...

[altavino]

I love sparkling wines! The only problem is the lack of occasions at which to drink them... otherwise, I have to make sure my husband is in a sparkling wine mood to share it - not always the case, unfortunately.
I wish more sparkling wines/champagnes were available in half bottles here. I once came upon Gosset Grande Réserve Brut champagne in half bottles and bought a mess of them... what bliss!

[bulavinaka]

>>I love sparkling wines! The only problem is the lack of occasions at which to drink them... <<

Sparkling wines aren't just for special occasions - they're very good with food, my fellow hound! We drink a fair amount particularly with seafood and some desserts. And if you throw in sparkling rosé, the range of dishes broadens tenfold. We'll enjoy sparkling rosé even with some good ol' smoked Texas BBQ! Chin Chin, pardner!

[sunshine842]

ANY day is an occasion to drink sparkling wines -- my wine guy in Florida told me flat-out that we were the only clients he had in the whole city who would drink sparklers just because...how sad that everyone believes that you can only drink them for special occasions!

Sparklers go well with spicy, salty, and oily -- or any combination thereof. One of the stranger combinations was Champagne (a real AOC and everything) with Zapp's Cajun Crawtater potato chips at a gathering in Paris.

But when we stopped to think about it...salty? check. spicy? check. oily? Yep, check. Good stuff!

[altavino]

I am in full agreement, bulavinaka and sunshine 842. Rather than "lack of occasion", my problem is more the lack of someone whom I could rely on to help me finish the bottle, should I choose to open one on thespur of the moment! On that note, are there sealing systems that work well enough to preserve some fizz for the next day? (That would solve my "problem"!)
I also love prosecco and cava, and just picked up some interesting-looking Italian sparklers (one a falanghina) that I am eager to try.

[CocoTO]

Yes, altavino, there is a way! A traditional champagne bottle stopper will do the trick for a day or maybe two http://www.amazon.com/WMF-Clever-Cham...

[sunshine842]

cocoTO beat me to it -- those work really well, especially in the refrigerator. We've had the bubbles survive for nearly a week on occasion.

[altavino]

I take it the WMF brand is recommended in particular? We have a cheapo plastic version of a similar thing that doesn't work terribly well, so I'll have to hunt down the WMF one or at least something better than what we have. I imagine the wine stores will sell them. It's great to know that these things can work!

[sunshine842]

no, I have a half-dozen of them -- some came from the producers we were visiting, a couple came as gifts --and not a single one of them is WMF.

I think "cheapo plastic" is your tip-off here...all the ones I have that work well are metal 'wings' with a silicon-type seal.

[CocoTO]

agreed, mine aren't WMF, but are good quality metal ones ...

[ChefJune]

<I love sparkling wines! The only problem is the lack of occasions at which to drink them... >

We've never needed an "occasion" to drink a sparkling wine, only the desire! As well, it's a fantastic "default" wine, because it complements so many varied dishes.

[ospreycove]

My go to Sparkling is the Italian Franciacorta Brut from Lombardia.

[sunshine842]

Osprey, West Palm Wines on 22nd St at Palm Ave in Ybor City (same building as Beane's Wine Bar, behind Tony's Cafeteria and across the street from the sheriff's office) has a killer selection of European sparklers at very good prices.

[ospreycove]

sun....thanks for the info; I have not been there.

[sunshine842]

they carry only Old World wines, and have not only a great selection, but fabulous knowledge. (and Beaune's is awesome -- wines by the glass AND great food)

[JeremyEG]

I love 'easy' sparkling wines. We've been enjoying a Caposaldo prosseco recently that's been great for holiday parties, take out sichuan food, and everything in between. It's also not so expensive that I'd feel bad mixing it with something else for a cocktail. Enjoy!
JeremyEG
homecooklocavore.com

[altavino]

Wine from New Mexico... who'da thought? I doubt it is available here but I'll keep an eye out.

[wineglas1]

Where is here? It is in almost every major market and is better than almost everything in the price point.

[FishTales]

Gruet has their own wine store in Albuquerque. We saw many of their wines there that we'd never seen for sale elsewhere. They were also good values.

Cheers!

[altavino]

Here is Calgary, Alberta, Canada. In this larger center, there is good (I would say) access to old world wines, not the greatest to U. S. wines including California, and I'd be surprised if the really "unusual" areas would be represented. Could be wrong though...

[zamorski]

Have never seen Gruet anywhere in Canada. Happily there are some very respectable ones from BC and Niagara to choose from.

[wineglas1]

I like to spend a little more and the best US Sparkler I have had this past year was the 2005 Domaine Carneros Brut. I have bought it on sale for $19.95 and it is as good as any N.V. Champagne I sampled last year. The 06 is good but not quite as good.

[sunshine842]

absolutely!

There are lots of non-Champagne sparklers that are well worth the money...they sell for less than Champagne because of the word Champagne, but a good cremant or mousseaux can easily be better than a cheap Champagne.

We tend to buy cremants for parties and things -- not only because of the cost issue -- but because almost everyone wants a Kir Royale for aperos -- and it's a pity to pour cassis or other syrupy liqueur into good Champers.

[FishTales]

We like a lot of the Spanish cavas that are available in the $10-15 range. Condornieu (sp?) used to be our favorite but then we moved & can't find it. Brut is our preference so I can't vouch for any of the sweeter ones.

Cheers!