Tag: sparkler

  • Spending Time with a Sparkling Old Friend This July – Argyle Vintage Brut

    Well look who stopped by to help us ring in July – a sparkling old friend from Oregon who goes by the name of Argyle Vintage Brut 2013!

      IMG_0050

    While we’ve had a long, happy relationship through the years, it’s been awhile since we’ve shared each other’s company.  

     IMG_0049

    This Pinot-forward sparkler comes from Argyle’s Grower Series and promises a rich, round peach nature helped along by “… the complexity of honey, cherry kernel and lingering anise.”

    The balance and focus of the finish is said to come from the wine’s “… dynamic acid backbone and edgy minerality.”

    Just this past April, Wine Spectator awarded the 2013 Argyle Vintage Brut 89 Points, praising it as “Crisp and precise, with apple and pomelo aromas and sleek, tangy flavors that finish with vibrancy. Drink now. T.F.”

    Screen Shot 2017-06-30 at Friday  June 30  20173.51.49 PM

    Hmm … Sounds a lot like the old friend we remember. We also remember meeting Argyle's Founder Rollin Soles (in the Argyle photo above) at Bauer Wine & Spirits. (Check out: "Argyle's Rollin Soles Talks Wine with BostonZest" in Related Posts below.)

    Catching up after time apart can mean a bit of uncertainty. Maybe one or both of you have changed? We’ll let you know how it goes.

    Until then, “Here’s to July!” and our Sparkling Resolution!

    The Facts:

    Vintage Brut | 2013 Willamette Valley AVA

    Bottle Fermented, Aged on the Yeast,

    60% Pinot Noir 40% Chardonnay, ABV: 12.5%

    We purchased our bottle of Argyle Vintage Brut 2013 on sale for $20 at Bauer Wine & Spirits.

    * (07.04.2017) Update: As spectacular as ever! Great body with nice Pinot-forward character. Shared with friends as we all raised our glasses to toast the arrival of July! Already have another bottle on-ice and ready to go!

     

    Related Posts:

    Argyle’s Rollin Soles Talks Wine with BostonZest

    March Sparkles with Argyle’s 2001 Extended Tirage Brut – It’s a Sure Thing!

    Oregon’s Argyle Brut to Light-Up July!

    Our Sparkling Resolution

    Our Sparkling Resolution Winner’s List
     

    What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List?

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino

    Photography: © 2017 Penny Cherubino   

     

  • Spending Time with a Sparkling Old Friend This July – Argyle Vintage Brut

    Well look who stopped by to help us ring in July – a sparkling old friend from Oregon who goes by the name of Argyle Vintage Brut 2013!

      IMG_0050

    While we’ve had a long, happy relationship through the years, it’s been awhile since we’ve shared each other’s company.  

     IMG_0049

    This Pinot-forward sparkler comes from Argyle’s Grower Series and promises a rich, round peach nature helped along by “… the complexity of honey, cherry kernel and lingering anise.”

    The balance and focus of the finish is said to come from the wine’s “… dynamic acid backbone and edgy minerality.”

    Just this past April, Wine Spectator awarded the 2013 Argyle Vintage Brut 89 Points, praising it as “Crisp and precise, with apple and pomelo aromas and sleek, tangy flavors that finish with vibrancy. Drink now. T.F.”

    Screen Shot 2017-06-30 at Friday  June 30  20173.51.49 PM

    Hmm … Sounds a lot like the old friend we remember. We also remember meeting Argyle's Founder Rollin Soles (in the Argyle photo above) at Bauer Wine & Spirits. (Check out: "Argyle's Rollin Soles Talks Wine with BostonZest" in Related Posts below.)

    Catching up after time apart can mean a bit of uncertainty. Maybe one or both of you have changed? We’ll let you know how it goes.

    Until then, “Here’s to July!” and our Sparkling Resolution!

    The Facts:

    Vintage Brut | 2013 Willamette Valley AVA

    Bottle Fermented, Aged on the Yeast,

    60% Pinot Noir 40% Chardonnay, ABV: 12.5%

    We purchased our bottle of Argyle Vintage Brut 2013 on sale for $20 at Bauer Wine & Spirits.

    * (07.04.2017) Update: As spectacular as ever! Great body with nice Pinot-forward character. Shared with friends as we all raised our glasses to toast the arrival of July! Already have another bottle on-ice and ready to go!

     

    Related Posts:

    Argyle’s Rollin Soles Talks Wine with BostonZest

    March Sparkles with Argyle’s 2001 Extended Tirage Brut – It’s a Sure Thing!

    Oregon’s Argyle Brut to Light-Up July!

    Our Sparkling Resolution

    Our Sparkling Resolution Winner’s List
     

    What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List?

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino

    Photography: © 2017 Penny Cherubino   

     

  • Château Tour Grise Saumur Brut – December Bubbles that Even Won Over Penny!

    IMG_3233

    December’s wine selection, Château Tour Grise Saumur Brut Non Dosé 2004, for our monthly “Sparkling Resolution” toast, is one that we thought I would like more than Penny. I’m a longtime fan of Vouvrays made with the Chenin Blanc grape.

    As it turns out this Chenin Blanc sparkler has enough of that Chenin spirit to please me while the crisp finish wipes out any overly floral flourishes that make Penny avoid this grape.

    CHE_2481

    Here’s what other tasters think of Chateau Tour Grise Saumur Brut Non Dosé 2004 (ABV 12%) from the Loire Valley:

    “… pure and refreshing with a rounded texture and the telltale honeysuckle, lemon and chamomile flavors of chenin blanc.”  (Wineberry America, New York) (From The New York Time article “Summer Wine: 20 for $20” By Eric Asimov, June 18, 2015)

    “An intense and complex sparkler with notes of ripe pear, deep minerality and possessing tremendous body and length.” Saumur Brut, Non Dosé, 2004 (Joli Vin)

    IMG_3238

    “… astounds with its complexity.”

    “… adjectives from dried flowers to tea to smoke and minerals to honey to fruit …”

    “… for brunch, with lunchtime omelettes, for toasting at celebrations …”

    “… challenging for many palates, but not intimidating.”

    (from 2002 Selection, tastingnotes.com)

    As always, whether you try one of our suggestions or select a sparkler of your own, we hope you’ll join us as we ring-in the month of December! Cheers!

    We purchased our bottle of Chateau Tour Grise Saumur Brut Non Dosé 2004, ABV 12%, $23 at Gordon's Fine Wines and Liquors, Boston.

     

    Remember to:

    Check Out: Our Sparkling Resolution

    Our Sparkling Resolution Winner’s List

     

    What's on your food lover's shopping list?

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

  • Château Tour Grise Saumur Brut – December Bubbles that Even Won Over Penny!

    IMG_3233

    December’s wine selection, Château Tour Grise Saumur Brut Non Dosé 2004, for our monthly “Sparkling Resolution” toast, is one that we thought I would like more than Penny. I’m a longtime fan of Vouvrays made with the Chenin Blanc grape.

    As it turns out this Chenin Blanc sparkler has enough of that Chenin spirit to please me while the crisp finish wipes out any overly floral flourishes that make Penny avoid this grape.

    CHE_2481

    Here’s what other tasters think of Chateau Tour Grise Saumur Brut Non Dosé 2004 (ABV 12%) from the Loire Valley:

    “… pure and refreshing with a rounded texture and the telltale honeysuckle, lemon and chamomile flavors of chenin blanc.”  (Wineberry America, New York) (From The New York Time article “Summer Wine: 20 for $20” By Eric Asimov, June 18, 2015)

    “An intense and complex sparkler with notes of ripe pear, deep minerality and possessing tremendous body and length.” Saumur Brut, Non Dosé, 2004 (Joli Vin)

    IMG_3238

    “… astounds with its complexity.”

    “… adjectives from dried flowers to tea to smoke and minerals to honey to fruit …”

    “… for brunch, with lunchtime omelettes, for toasting at celebrations …”

    “… challenging for many palates, but not intimidating.”

    (from 2002 Selection, tastingnotes.com)

    As always, whether you try one of our suggestions or select a sparkler of your own, we hope you’ll join us as we ring-in the month of December! Cheers!

    We purchased our bottle of Chateau Tour Grise Saumur Brut Non Dosé 2004, ABV 12%, $23 at Gordon's Fine Wines and Liquors, Boston.

     

    Remember to:

    Check Out: Our Sparkling Resolution

    Our Sparkling Resolution Winner’s List

     

    What's on your food lover's shopping list?

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

  • September 2016 Sparkles with Tissot Crémant du Jura, an Easy Choice!

    The easiest and most enjoyable job (if you can call it that) we’ve ever had is selecting a sparkling wine to celebrate the arrival of each and every new month (a.k.a. Our Sparkling Resolution).

    IMG_0396

    Of course, since we’ve kept the streak alive for more than eight years (let’s see … that’s at least a hundred bottles of bubbly) and don’t feature wines we dislike, you might guess at times the challenge to pick another winner could become formidable.

    All we can say is clear your mind of any such nonsense and focus instead on helping us ring in September with a sparkler of your choice. We’ve decided to go with the Stephane Tissot Crémant du Jura (a Crémant that’s about as close as you come to a “sure thing.”)

    Here’s What Tasters Are Saying About This Sparkler:

    K&L Wines …

    • “This Stephane Tissot Cremant du Jura is an aromatic ringer for champagne …”
    • “… stylish, mineral driven rendition of pinot noir and chardonnay”
    • “… still manages to maintain a unique Jurassien personality – a little softer, more grapey, and redolent of almonds and spring flowers”

    IMG_2901

    Down to Earth Wines …

    • “… distinct expressions of Chardonnay … awesome Chardonnay based bubblies”
    • “In complexity and sheer deliciousness, this is a quality/price superstar.”
    • “50% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir, 5% Poulsard, 5% Trousseau”

    Renowned wine critic David Schildknecht …

    • “… distinctly delicious and encouragingly affordable”
    • “… texturally flattering”
    • “… hint of citrus enlivens a modest finish”
    • “… should be enjoyed in its youth."

    IMG_2908

    Bénédicte and Stéphane Tissot …

    • “Tasting: Bubble thin and delicate, it offers faîcheur (freshness) sparkling & elegant fruit”
    • “Food Pairings: Aperitif, desserts …”

    What we say about this Tissot Crémant …

    • “Lemony, tart, nice acidity (not overdone)”
    • “Bitter almond notes”
    • “Has a very distinct voice all its own”
    • “Palate cleansing”
    • “Citrusy notes would match well with scallops, hot buttered lobster …”
    • “Also should work with Thai, Asian food, fried clams …”
    • “Has some weight to it”

    We purchased our bottle of Tissot Crémant du Jura @ Gordon’s Fine Wines and Liquors, Boston (Listed here @ $19.99)

    Here’s to September. Cheers!

    Links:

     

    Tissot Crémant du Jura Wines (The Wines) in French

    Related Posts:

    Our Sparkling Resolution is covered in this post : Join Us as We Toast…

    A Few of Our Favorite Gifts for Wine Lovers

    Here are all the wines we've covered. Since this is a category this post may appear at the top. Just scroll down for more.

    Want to learn more about wine? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site! Here are three of our favorite wine books.

    The Food Lover's Guide to Wine

    The New Wine Lover's Companion

    The Wine Bible

     

     Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

  • September 2016 Sparkles with Tissot Crémant du Jura, an Easy Choice!

    The easiest and most enjoyable job (if you can call it that) we’ve ever had is selecting a sparkling wine to celebrate the arrival of each and every new month (a.k.a. Our Sparkling Resolution).

    IMG_0396

    Of course, since we’ve kept the streak alive for more than eight years (let’s see … that’s at least a hundred bottles of bubbly) and don’t feature wines we dislike, you might guess at times the challenge to pick another winner could become formidable.

    All we can say is clear your mind of any such nonsense and focus instead on helping us ring in September with a sparkler of your choice. We’ve decided to go with the Stephane Tissot Crémant du Jura (a Crémant that’s about as close as you come to a “sure thing.”)

    Here’s What Tasters Are Saying About This Sparkler:

    K&L Wines …

    • “This Stephane Tissot Cremant du Jura is an aromatic ringer for champagne …”
    • “… stylish, mineral driven rendition of pinot noir and chardonnay”
    • “… still manages to maintain a unique Jurassien personality – a little softer, more grapey, and redolent of almonds and spring flowers”

    IMG_2901

    Down to Earth Wines …

    • “… distinct expressions of Chardonnay … awesome Chardonnay based bubblies”
    • “In complexity and sheer deliciousness, this is a quality/price superstar.”
    • “50% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir, 5% Poulsard, 5% Trousseau”

    Renowned wine critic David Schildknecht …

    • “… distinctly delicious and encouragingly affordable”
    • “… texturally flattering”
    • “… hint of citrus enlivens a modest finish”
    • “… should be enjoyed in its youth."

    IMG_2908

    Bénédicte and Stéphane Tissot …

    • “Tasting: Bubble thin and delicate, it offers faîcheur (freshness) sparkling & elegant fruit”
    • “Food Pairings: Aperitif, desserts …”

    What we say about this Tissot Crémant …

    • “Lemony, tart, nice acidity (not overdone)”
    • “Bitter almond notes”
    • “Has a very distinct voice all its own”
    • “Palate cleansing”
    • “Citrusy notes would match well with scallops, hot buttered lobster …”
    • “Also should work with Thai, Asian food, fried clams …”
    • “Has some weight to it”

    We purchased our bottle of Tissot Crémant du Jura @ Gordon’s Fine Wines and Liquors, Boston (Listed here @ $19.99)

    Here’s to September. Cheers!

    Links:

     

    Tissot Crémant du Jura Wines (The Wines) in French

    Related Posts:

    Our Sparkling Resolution is covered in this post : Join Us as We Toast…

    A Few of Our Favorite Gifts for Wine Lovers

    Here are all the wines we've covered. Since this is a category this post may appear at the top. Just scroll down for more.

    Want to learn more about wine? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site! Here are three of our favorite wine books.

    The Food Lover's Guide to Wine

    The New Wine Lover's Companion

    The Wine Bible

     

     Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

  • Our First Taste of 2016 with Champagne Mouzon Leroux L’ineffable

    Toasting the new year with an impressive sparkler … what better way to start 2016!

    Even though expectations were already high after our pre-holiday wine search, there’s no better feeling than having a plan succeed.   

    DSC_7828 - Version 22015-12-31Champagne-L'ineffable-© 2014 Penny Cherubino

    After we clinked glasses and took our first sips of Mouzon Leroux L’ineffable, we wanted to applaud. Although the winemaker’s choice of “ineffable” to name this Champagne fits it well, we can’t resist at least attempting to describe the indescribable:

    • Luxurious on the nose & palate
    • Big, but very approachable
    • Bubbles everywhere!
    • First sip: Fruit with a palate-cleansing, citrus follow-up (varies w/wine temperature)
    • Don’t Overchill (We liked L’ineffable best as it warmed.)
    • Glows in the companionship of food (we had two Thai dishes, one with beef)
    • Something for everyone – especially a red wine lover
    • Woke up the next day still thinking about how good this Champagne is

    Other opinions of Champagne Mouzon Leroux L’ineffable:

    Veron Champagne Guide 2015

    • Elegant & persistent ring of bubbles
    • Sumptuous
    • Bloomed aromas of honey, caramel, almond, and chestnut
    • generous scents of crystallised red fruits and delicate spices
    • Deep and dense … remarkable minerality … very great length on the palate

    DSC_7822 - Version 22015-12-31Champagne-L'ineffable-© 2014 Penny Cherubino

    Astor Wines & Spirits

    • A full-bodied, delightful Champagne
    • a heavy, powerful Champagne
    • stands up to pair with rib eye steaks or roasted turkey with gravy
    • focused red apple favors with a touch of star anise and cinnamon

    Guide Gilbert et Gaillard

    • Rated Cuvée L’ineffable 92 out of 100

    Here’s to you and to a wonderful 2016. Bonne Année!

     

    Champagne Mouzon Leroux L'ineffable

     

    Related Posts:

    Ready for the Big First with Champagne Mouzon Leroux L'ineffable (How we found our New Year's Eve Sparkler)                      

    Here’s more about Our Sparkling Resolution

    And, Our Sparkling Resolution Winner’s List (Since this is a category this post may appear at the top. Just scroll down for more.)

    A Few of Our Favorite Gifts for Wine Lovers

     

    Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

  • Our First Taste of 2016 with Champagne Mouzon Leroux L’ineffable

    Toasting the new year with an impressive sparkler … what better way to start 2016!

    Even though expectations were already high after our pre-holiday wine search, there’s no better feeling than having a plan succeed.   

    DSC_7828 - Version 22015-12-31Champagne-L'ineffable-© 2014 Penny Cherubino

    After we clinked glasses and took our first sips of Mouzon Leroux L’ineffable, we wanted to applaud. Although the winemaker’s choice of “ineffable” to name this Champagne fits it well, we can’t resist at least attempting to describe the indescribable:

    • Luxurious on the nose & palate
    • Big, but very approachable
    • Bubbles everywhere!
    • First sip: Fruit with a palate-cleansing, citrus follow-up (varies w/wine temperature)
    • Don’t Overchill (We liked L’ineffable best as it warmed.)
    • Glows in the companionship of food (we had two Thai dishes, one with beef)
    • Something for everyone – especially a red wine lover
    • Woke up the next day still thinking about how good this Champagne is

    Other opinions of Champagne Mouzon Leroux L’ineffable:

    Veron Champagne Guide 2015

    • Elegant & persistent ring of bubbles
    • Sumptuous
    • Bloomed aromas of honey, caramel, almond, and chestnut
    • generous scents of crystallised red fruits and delicate spices
    • Deep and dense … remarkable minerality … very great length on the palate

    DSC_7822 - Version 22015-12-31Champagne-L'ineffable-© 2014 Penny Cherubino

    Astor Wines & Spirits

    • A full-bodied, delightful Champagne
    • a heavy, powerful Champagne
    • stands up to pair with rib eye steaks or roasted turkey with gravy
    • focused red apple favors with a touch of star anise and cinnamon

    Guide Gilbert et Gaillard

    • Rated Cuvée L’ineffable 92 out of 100

    Here’s to you and to a wonderful 2016. Bonne Année!

     

    Champagne Mouzon Leroux L'ineffable

     

    Related Posts:

    Ready for the Big First with Champagne Mouzon Leroux L'ineffable (How we found our New Year's Eve Sparkler)                      

    Here’s more about Our Sparkling Resolution

    And, Our Sparkling Resolution Winner’s List (Since this is a category this post may appear at the top. Just scroll down for more.)

    A Few of Our Favorite Gifts for Wine Lovers

     

    Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

  • Michael Serpa Selects Champagne Jacquesson Cuvée 736 as Our Sparkler for June 2015

    We toast June 2015 with Champagne Jacquesson Cuvée 736 thanks to Chef and Partner Michael Serpa from Select Oyster Bar in Boston’s Back Bay.

    CHE_7729 - Version 32015-05-27-jacquesson-champagne-select-oyster-bar-patio-© 2014 Penny Cherubino

    Since the opening of this neighborhood spot back in April, we’ve enjoyed many glasses of sparkling wine with our meals and afternoon snacks at the Select bar. We picked one and then another as a possible wine to celebrate the arrival of June, but couldn’t decide. We finally asked Chef Serpa if he would choose for us and he agreed.

    CHE_7687 - Version 22015-05-27-jacquesson-champagne-select-oyster-bar-patio-© 2014 Penny Cherubino

    We slipped out onto the patio at Select while lunch customers were finishing up their meals to photograph this wine.

    One of the first things we learned was that, in addition to having a sparkler to enjoy on June 1st, our newest wine mentor was offering us another importer to add to our list of great resources. He loves the wines from Vintage 59 and offers a number of selections from their portfolio on his current list. 

    Chef Serpa calls Champagne Jacquesson Cuvée 736, “Balanced.” We agree and love that he has picked so many wines like this that match perfectly with his food. As to this one, he pointed out, “Champagne is the ultimate food wine!” 

    CHE_7704 - Version 22015-05-27-jacquesson-champagne-select-oyster-bar-patio-© 2014 Penny Cherubino

    You’ll notice that the glasses used for this tasting (which was generously shared with us) are not flutes.

    Serpa has great reasons for his sparkling wine glass choice, “Any nicer sparkling wine, I think, just works much better in a standard kind of wine glass rather than a flute, just because you get the aroma…” “When you’re drinking great wine,” he said, “I think it should be in a proper glass where you’re going to get the full experience of the wine.” 

    He recognizes the celebratory feel of a flute and you’ll find flutes on hand at Select, but you may be offered the choice of a flute or a wine glass with a particular wine. 

    DSC_6000 - Version 22015-05-27michael-serpa--jacquesson-champagne-select-oyster-bar-patio-© 2014 Penny Cherubino   DSC_5999 - Version 22015-05-27chef-michael-serpa-jacquesson-champagne-select-oyster-bar-patio-© 2014 Penny Cherubino

    Between lunch and dinner service, we moved inside to the large table by the window to talk more about wine.

    Wine Temperature

    You may also have noticed that he did not put this bottle in a wine chiller. We often suggest drinking a great wine, like this one, through a range of temperatures. We were delighted that he agrees, “As it warms up, you taste a little bit more of the wine.” He explained that with the lower alcohol levels in many sparkling wines, you won’t experience that hot taste of alcohol as the wine warms, the way you might in a 15% ABV wine. You just enjoy more of the full flavor the wine has to offer.

    A Toast for June

    We asked Chef Serpa what he’ll be toasting on June 1st as he joins us in welcoming a Happy New Month! He has great reason to celebrate because he’ll be toasting his 30th birthday on June 2nd. He said, “I think it’s going to be a good year!” We agreed and wished him a good decade. He responded that the first 30 were good!

    Click over to twitter @michaelserpa, (where he claims the title of, “Handyman @selectboston in Boston’s Back Bay,”) and wish him a Happy Birthday on June 2nd. Or post a birthday greeting on the Select Facebook page. He certainly has our best wishes for a happy and successful third decade of life.

    A Big Thank You to Chef Serpa!

    Thank you for the time you took out of a busy afternoon to share this wonderful wine with us and our readers. And, thanks for starting a new BostonZest tradition of letting people we trust select our sparkler of the month, from time to time.

    DSC_6012 - Version 22015-05-27-jacquesson-champagne-select-oyster-bar-patio-© 2014 Penny Cherubino (1)

    About This Wine

    • Name: Champagne Jacquesson Cuvée 736
    • Type of wine: Champagne
    • Year or N/V: N/V but based on 2008 harvest
    • Blend: 53% Chardonnay, 29% Pinot Noir, and 18% Pinot Meunier with reserve wines from 2007 and 2006 harvests (34%)
    • Country of origin: Dizy, France
    • Alcohol by Volume: 12%
    • Importer: Vintage 59
    • Distributor: Ruby Wines
    • Price per bottle in the restaurant: $98.

    Related Posts:

    Our Sparkling Resolution is covered in this post : Join Us as We Toast…

    A Few of Our Favorite Gifts for Wine Lovers

    Here are all the wines we’ve covered. Since this is a category this post may appear at the top. Just scroll down for more.

    Want to learn more about wine? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site! Here are three of our favorite wine books.

    The Food Lover’s Guide to Wine

    The New Wine Lover’s Companion

    The Wine Bible

     

     Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2015 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

  • We Toast the Month of May with Nino Franco Faive Rosé Brut

    This month, we’ll toast the start of another calendar page and say “Happy New Month” with a Faive Rosé Brut from the wonderful family at Nino Franco

    CHE_6996 - Version 22015-04-21-Faive-Rose-brut-nino-franco-© 2014 Penny Cherubino

    In reading some of the great reviews of this wine, we found someone who agrees with our sparkling wine philosophy.

    Charles Scicolone, a wine consultant that the New York Times called “The Maestro of Italian Wines,” includes Nino Franco Faive Rosé in a list of some of his favorite sparklers,

    “Most of us think of sparkling wine as something that should only be drunk on special occasions or at Christmas and New Years, but I don’t agree. Sparkling wine can be enjoyed all year round and I especially like it in the summer and always with food.”

    6a00e54fc42bb8883401b8d0773125970c-800wi

    Last October, we first tasted this sparkling wine along with others from the Nino Franco line at Brix Wine Shop. At the tasting, we added a couple of bottles to our order because we have friends who we suspect will love this wine and we wanted to have some on hand when they visit. 

    Then, we opened a bottle at home and had it with food and without sharing our attention with some of our all time favorite Proseccos. We discovered that we love this Nino Franco wine for a whole set of different reasons. We added a few bottles to our next order from Brix to be sure to have some for our pals despite dipping into the supply from time to time.

    Screen Shot 2015-04-21 at Tuesday, April 21, 20159.41.56 AM

    Rosé as a Rite of Spring

    We browsed our wine rack to pick a sparkler for May and remembered the strawberry notes and clean dry finish of the Faive. It seemed a perfect choice. Others agree.

    Wine & Spirits 2013: “More red than rosé, this has the dark flavor of pomegranate …. There’s something oddly refreshing in it, a quirky rosé to chill for the beach, to serve with grilled shellfish.” 

    Independent Wine Review: “This “Faive” Rosé bubbles on across an impressive length. Drier than most rosé sparkling wines made in the Prosecco zone of production and purer in flavour.”

    Sommelier’s Choice: “In many ways a wine that defies classification (not legally permitted to be labelled Prosecco, drier than most rosé sparkling wines made in the Prosecco zone of production and purer in flavour and made differently to rosé Champagne) this “Faive” Rosé Spumante is defined by flavours of strawberries, wild raspberries and freshly picked nectarines. Almost completely dry and underpinned by an ever-present but subtle and nicely integrated mousse, this “Faive” Rosé bubbles on across an impressive length.”

    Charles Scicolone: “The wine is light salmon in color, with good bubbles, nice red fruit and a hint of pear.”

    Tidbits About Faive Rosé Brut

    Pronunciation: Fie-EE-vay

    Blend: 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc

    ABV: 12%

    Importer’s serving suggestions: Faive should be enjoyed from the first spring days, over the summer until late autumn. Serve with small appetizing bites ranging from cheese, to lightly steamed shrimp and cheese straws.

    What Does the Name Mean?

    Faive: from the Venetian dialect, are the small gilded red tongues of flame and sparks rising towards the sky from a great fire, lightly and freely carried by the wind.

    It certainly sparked some smiles around here. Happy new month!

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    Want to learn more about wine? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site! Here are three of our favorite wine books.

    The Food Lover’s Guide to Wine

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    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2014-2015 Penny & Ed Cherubino with the bottle alone courtesy of Nino Franco.