Tag: bubbly

  • A French “Value Sparkler” with No Compromises, le Moulin Blanquette de Limoux

    DSC_7682 - Version 22013-08-27-le-moulin-fomaine-J-laurens-limoux-© 2011 Penny Cherubino
     
    Anytime we can enjoy a sparkling wine with raves that include, "uncompromising value," it’s impossible to keep it to ourselves. Laurens le Moulin Blanquette de Limoux, $14.99 at Bauer Wine & Spirits, is a wine that had us from the first, wonderful sniff.

    While the aromas have been described as, “green apple, acacia flowers, and apricot,” to us it had hints of a toasty Champagne.

    DSC_7727 - Version 22013-08-27-le-moulin-fomaine-J-laurens-limoux-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    As we've often said, "… with a good bottle of bubbly, you don’t need to keep topping the glass." While, some wines at this price point are best served very cold, this sparkler doesn’t require a constant chill to mask any off notes because there aren’t any!

    Renowned wine guru Jancis Robinson has called the wines from the Limoux region, “a combination of French finesse and good value.” She finds that the most interesting wines in this area come from small producers like, “Jacques Calvel at Domaine J Laurens, whose fizz is really very fine …” and that, “the best fizz can be a great-value alternative to champagne …“ Not surprisingly, Robinson’s Limoux recommendations include Le Moulin Brut NV Blanquette de Limoux.

    DSC_7692 - Version 22013-08-27-le-moulin-fomaine-J-laurens-limoux-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Although Limoux is part of the Languedoc, which always makes us think of outstanding red wine varieties (Syrah, Grenache…), we’re learning that there’s much more to love from this region.

    Laurens le Moulin Blanquette de Limoux (Alc. 12% by Vol., another plus) is made mainly from the area’s Mauzac grape and is our choice to welcome September.

    (For our regular Sunday Dog readers, we raise a glass to you and all beloved canine compaions. When the first falls on a Sunday, we do slip in a wonderful wine for toasting the dogs we love and who have shared our lives. Sunday Dog will be back next week.)

    More About Our Sparkling Resolution

    Our Sparkling Resolution Winner’s List

    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: © 2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

  • A French “Value Sparkler” with No Compromises, le Moulin Blanquette de Limoux

    DSC_7682 - Version 22013-08-27-le-moulin-fomaine-J-laurens-limoux-© 2011 Penny Cherubino
     
    Anytime we can enjoy a sparkling wine with raves that include, "uncompromising value," it’s impossible to keep it to ourselves. Laurens le Moulin Blanquette de Limoux, $14.99 at Bauer Wine & Spirits, is a wine that had us from the first, wonderful sniff.

    While the aromas have been described as, “green apple, acacia flowers, and apricot,” to us it had hints of a toasty Champagne.

    DSC_7727 - Version 22013-08-27-le-moulin-fomaine-J-laurens-limoux-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    As we've often said, "… with a good bottle of bubbly, you don’t need to keep topping the glass." While, some wines at this price point are best served very cold, this sparkler doesn’t require a constant chill to mask any off notes because there aren’t any!

    Renowned wine guru Jancis Robinson has called the wines from the Limoux region, “a combination of French finesse and good value.” She finds that the most interesting wines in this area come from small producers like, “Jacques Calvel at Domaine J Laurens, whose fizz is really very fine …” and that, “the best fizz can be a great-value alternative to champagne …“ Not surprisingly, Robinson’s Limoux recommendations include Le Moulin Brut NV Blanquette de Limoux.

    DSC_7692 - Version 22013-08-27-le-moulin-fomaine-J-laurens-limoux-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Although Limoux is part of the Languedoc, which always makes us think of outstanding red wine varieties (Syrah, Grenache…), we’re learning that there’s much more to love from this region.

    Laurens le Moulin Blanquette de Limoux (Alc. 12% by Vol., another plus) is made mainly from the area’s Mauzac grape and is our choice to welcome September.

    (For our regular Sunday Dog readers, we raise a glass to you and all beloved canine compaions. When the first falls on a Sunday, we do slip in a wonderful wine for toasting the dogs we love and who have shared our lives. Sunday Dog will be back next week.)

    More About Our Sparkling Resolution

    Our Sparkling Resolution Winner’s List

    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: © 2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

  • A French “Value Sparkler” with No Compromises, le Moulin Blanquette de Limoux

    DSC_7682 - Version 22013-08-27-le-moulin-fomaine-J-laurens-limoux-© 2011 Penny Cherubino
     
    Anytime we can enjoy a sparkling wine with raves that include, "uncompromising value," it’s impossible to keep it to ourselves. Laurens le Moulin Blanquette de Limoux, $14.99 at Bauer Wine & Spirits, is a wine that had us from the first, wonderful sniff.

    While the aromas have been described as, “green apple, acacia flowers, and apricot,” to us it had hints of a toasty Champagne.

    DSC_7727 - Version 22013-08-27-le-moulin-fomaine-J-laurens-limoux-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    As we've often said, "… with a good bottle of bubbly, you don’t need to keep topping the glass." While, some wines at this price point are best served very cold, this sparkler doesn’t require a constant chill to mask any off notes because there aren’t any!

    Renowned wine guru Jancis Robinson has called the wines from the Limoux region, “a combination of French finesse and good value.” She finds that the most interesting wines in this area come from small producers like, “Jacques Calvel at Domaine J Laurens, whose fizz is really very fine …” and that, “the best fizz can be a great-value alternative to champagne …“ Not surprisingly, Robinson’s Limoux recommendations include Le Moulin Brut NV Blanquette de Limoux.

    DSC_7692 - Version 22013-08-27-le-moulin-fomaine-J-laurens-limoux-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Although Limoux is part of the Languedoc, which always makes us think of outstanding red wine varieties (Syrah, Grenache…), we’re learning that there’s much more to love from this region.

    Laurens le Moulin Blanquette de Limoux (Alc. 12% by Vol., another plus) is made mainly from the area’s Mauzac grape and is our choice to welcome September.

    (For our regular Sunday Dog readers, we raise a glass to you and all beloved canine compaions. When the first falls on a Sunday, we do slip in a wonderful wine for toasting the dogs we love and who have shared our lives. Sunday Dog will be back next week.)

    More About Our Sparkling Resolution

    Our Sparkling Resolution Winner’s List

    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: © 2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

  • Toasting August with Billecart-Salmon: A Tale of Two Bruts

    DSC_86442012-09-26-champagne-billecart-salmon-extra-brut-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    We can’t think of a better way to ring-in a new month than by toasting with two glasses of bubbly from one of our favorite Champagne houses, Billecart-Salmon! No, wait. Actually, that would be four glasses and two bottles.

    In this post, we explore two Champagne styles: ours and that of some of our wine-loving friends. The right wine is the wine you like! Besides, anytime you’re able to justify opening multiple bottles of these French jewels, the happier the occasion becomes.

    DSC_8714 - Version 22012-09-26-champagne-billecart-salmon-extra-brut-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    However, in the interest of full disclosure, we actually opened our Champagne Billecart-Salmon Extra-Brut at the beach, last summer. Extra Brut is the driest designation of Champagne styles containing less than 0.6% sugar per liter. While this Billecart-Salmon contains the big three: Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay, they point out that, “No sugar has been added to the dosage.”

    Billecart-Salmon says, “A Champagne full of brightness and purity … harmonious minerality … balanced finish” Download More about Billecart-Salmon Etra Brut.

    We say, “tight … a bit stern … but, focused” 

    DSC_6776 - Version 22013-07-28-champagne-billecart-salmon-extra-brut-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    As for the Champagne Billecart-Salmon Brut Réserve, we lifted our glasses to welcome August 2013, took our first sips, and couldn’t stop grinning!

    We say, “round … mellow … friendly … magical …  drink slowly through the temperatures” (allow to warm in your glass)

    Billecart-Salmon says, “harmony … balance … persistent and abounding mousse … freshness … rich bouquet  Download More about Billecart-Salomn BRUT RESERVE.

    DSC_6791 - Version 22013-07-28-champagne-billecart-salmon-reserve-brut-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    We began our love affair with Billecart-Salmon many years ago by falling for their Brut Rosé. Since then, we’ve come to appreciate the depth of this outstanding Champagne house and continue to try their many other offerings.

    Whatever your taste in sparkling wine, we hope you’ll join us in a toast to month number eight, à votre santé!   

    Here’s More About

    Our Sparkling Resolution

    Our Sparkling Resolution Winner’s List

    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: © 2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

  • Toasting August with Billecart-Salmon: A Tale of Two Bruts

    DSC_86442012-09-26-champagne-billecart-salmon-extra-brut-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    We can’t think of a better way to ring-in a new month than by toasting with two glasses of bubbly from one of our favorite Champagne houses, Billecart-Salmon! No, wait. Actually, that would be four glasses and two bottles.

    In this post, we explore two Champagne styles: ours and that of some of our wine-loving friends. The right wine is the wine you like! Besides, anytime you’re able to justify opening multiple bottles of these French jewels, the happier the occasion becomes.

    DSC_8714 - Version 22012-09-26-champagne-billecart-salmon-extra-brut-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    However, in the interest of full disclosure, we actually opened our Champagne Billecart-Salmon Extra-Brut at the beach, last summer. Extra Brut is the driest designation of Champagne styles containing less than 0.6% sugar per liter. While this Billecart-Salmon contains the big three: Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay, they point out that, “No sugar has been added to the dosage.”

    Billecart-Salmon says, “A Champagne full of brightness and purity … harmonious minerality … balanced finish” Download More about Billecart-Salmon Etra Brut.

    We say, “tight … a bit stern … but, focused” 

    DSC_6776 - Version 22013-07-28-champagne-billecart-salmon-extra-brut-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    As for the Champagne Billecart-Salmon Brut Réserve, we lifted our glasses to welcome August 2013, took our first sips, and couldn’t stop grinning!

    We say, “round … mellow … friendly … magical …  drink slowly through the temperatures” (allow to warm in your glass)

    Billecart-Salmon says, “harmony … balance … persistent and abounding mousse … freshness … rich bouquet  Download More about Billecart-Salomn BRUT RESERVE.

    DSC_6791 - Version 22013-07-28-champagne-billecart-salmon-reserve-brut-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    We began our love affair with Billecart-Salmon many years ago by falling for their Brut Rosé. Since then, we’ve come to appreciate the depth of this outstanding Champagne house and continue to try their many other offerings.

    Whatever your taste in sparkling wine, we hope you’ll join us in a toast to month number eight, à votre santé!   

    Here’s More About

    Our Sparkling Resolution

    Our Sparkling Resolution Winner’s List

    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: © 2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

  • Toasting August with Billecart-Salmon: A Tale of Two Bruts

    DSC_86442012-09-26-champagne-billecart-salmon-extra-brut-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    We can’t think of a better way to ring-in a new month than by toasting with two glasses of bubbly from one of our favorite Champagne houses, Billecart-Salmon! No, wait. Actually, that would be four glasses and two bottles.

    In this post, we explore two Champagne styles: ours and that of some of our wine-loving friends. The right wine is the wine you like! Besides, anytime you’re able to justify opening multiple bottles of these French jewels, the happier the occasion becomes.

    DSC_8714 - Version 22012-09-26-champagne-billecart-salmon-extra-brut-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    However, in the interest of full disclosure, we actually opened our Champagne Billecart-Salmon Extra-Brut at the beach, last summer. Extra Brut is the driest designation of Champagne styles containing less than 0.6% sugar per liter. While this Billecart-Salmon contains the big three: Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay, they point out that, “No sugar has been added to the dosage.”

    Billecart-Salmon says, “A Champagne full of brightness and purity … harmonious minerality … balanced finish” Download More about Billecart-Salmon Etra Brut.

    We say, “tight … a bit stern … but, focused” 

    DSC_6776 - Version 22013-07-28-champagne-billecart-salmon-extra-brut-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    As for the Champagne Billecart-Salmon Brut Réserve, we lifted our glasses to welcome August 2013, took our first sips, and couldn’t stop grinning!

    We say, “round … mellow … friendly … magical …  drink slowly through the temperatures” (allow to warm in your glass)

    Billecart-Salmon says, “harmony … balance … persistent and abounding mousse … freshness … rich bouquet  Download More about Billecart-Salomn BRUT RESERVE.

    DSC_6791 - Version 22013-07-28-champagne-billecart-salmon-reserve-brut-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    We began our love affair with Billecart-Salmon many years ago by falling for their Brut Rosé. Since then, we’ve come to appreciate the depth of this outstanding Champagne house and continue to try their many other offerings.

    Whatever your taste in sparkling wine, we hope you’ll join us in a toast to month number eight, à votre santé!   

    Here’s More About

    Our Sparkling Resolution

    Our Sparkling Resolution Winner’s List

    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: © 2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

  • Toasting July with Piper-Heidsieck Champagne Brut!

    DSC_5908 - Version 22013-06-29-piper-heidsieck-brut-champagne-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Since July is one of my favorite months, celebrating its arrival with a favorite sparkler – Piper-Heidsieck Champagne Brut – is an easy choice! And, that’s how it should be.

    Our tradition, that began with a New Year’s Eve toast several years ago, is all about the fun of clinking glasses of bubbly to welcome each new month. Think of it as giving the next 31 days the benefit of the doubt by starting out with something you really enjoy.

    Piper collage

    While our taste for sparkling wine covers a broad range, there are bottles that we definitely reach for more often, like Piper-Heidsieck.

    It’s not complicated. This cuvee brut is mainly Pinot Noir with Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay in supporting roles. We like the toasty aroma and the balance of this blend. It is a very good Champagne. Here’s to July!

    DSC_5912 - Version 22013-06-29-piper-heidsieck-brut-champagne-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    We purchased our bottle of Champagne Piper-Heidsieck at Bauer Wine & Spirits, where you’ll find more Piper-Heidsieck tasting notes

    Here's More About:

    Our Sparkling Resolution  

    Our Sparkling Resolution Winner’s List

    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: Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

  • Toasting July with Piper-Heidsieck Champagne Brut!

    DSC_5908 - Version 22013-06-29-piper-heidsieck-brut-champagne-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Since July is one of my favorite months, celebrating its arrival with a favorite sparkler – Piper-Heidsieck Champagne Brut – is an easy choice! And, that’s how it should be.

    Our tradition, that began with a New Year’s Eve toast several years ago, is all about the fun of clinking glasses of bubbly to welcome each new month. Think of it as giving the next 31 days the benefit of the doubt by starting out with something you really enjoy.

    Piper collage

    While our taste for sparkling wine covers a broad range, there are bottles that we definitely reach for more often, like Piper-Heidsieck.

    It’s not complicated. This cuvee brut is mainly Pinot Noir with Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay in supporting roles. We like the toasty aroma and the balance of this blend. It is a very good Champagne. Here’s to July!

    DSC_5912 - Version 22013-06-29-piper-heidsieck-brut-champagne-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    We purchased our bottle of Champagne Piper-Heidsieck at Bauer Wine & Spirits, where you’ll find more Piper-Heidsieck tasting notes

    Here's More About:

    Our Sparkling Resolution  

    Our Sparkling Resolution Winner’s List

    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: Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

  • Toasting July with Piper-Heidsieck Champagne Brut!

    DSC_5908 - Version 22013-06-29-piper-heidsieck-brut-champagne-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Since July is one of my favorite months, celebrating its arrival with a favorite sparkler – Piper-Heidsieck Champagne Brut – is an easy choice! And, that’s how it should be.

    Our tradition, that began with a New Year’s Eve toast several years ago, is all about the fun of clinking glasses of bubbly to welcome each new month. Think of it as giving the next 31 days the benefit of the doubt by starting out with something you really enjoy.

    Piper collage

    While our taste for sparkling wine covers a broad range, there are bottles that we definitely reach for more often, like Piper-Heidsieck.

    It’s not complicated. This cuvee brut is mainly Pinot Noir with Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay in supporting roles. We like the toasty aroma and the balance of this blend. It is a very good Champagne. Here’s to July!

    DSC_5912 - Version 22013-06-29-piper-heidsieck-brut-champagne-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    We purchased our bottle of Champagne Piper-Heidsieck at Bauer Wine & Spirits, where you’ll find more Piper-Heidsieck tasting notes

    Here's More About:

    Our Sparkling Resolution  

    Our Sparkling Resolution Winner’s List

    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: Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

  • Pouring Jewels from a Bottle of Bailly Lapierre Crémant!

    CHE_7607 - Version 32013-05-28-Bailly-Lapeirre-Brut-cremantpinot-noir-© 2013 Ed Cherubino-jpg© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    We’re celebrating the arrival of June by pouring sparkling jewels from a bottle of Bailly Lapierre Crémant! As the bubbles tumble into our flutes, there’s a moment of pure joy while this sparkler releases its frothy treasure igniting silly grins all around.

    CHE_7457 - Version 32013-05-27-Bailly-Lapeirre-Brut-cremantpinot-noir-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    There’s no doubt that we’re attracted to sparkling wine for its fun factor, but besides sight and sound appeal, it’s the aromas and flavors that hold our attention!

    This Bailly Lapierre Crémant is a Blanc de Noirs, “a white made from black Pinot Noir grapes.” And, since we’re enormous pinot fans, we really like this wine. The winemaker calls the style, “full, deep, and powerful with a fruitiness in the mouth that conjures up a red…”

    CHE_7566 - Version 22013-05-28-Bailly-Lapeirre-Brut-cremantpinot-noir-© 2013 Ed Cherubino-jpg© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    After our initial sips from a chilled bottle we used the words, “nice, light balance, crisp finish, some toast on the nose.” As it warmed, we were calling this crémant a “baby Bollinger!”

    Agree or not, this sparkler definitely tastes like a more expensive wine.

    CHE_7564 - Version 22013-05-28-Bailly-Lapeirre-Brut-cremantpinot-noir-© 2013 Ed Cherubino-jpg© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Plus, at around $18 a bottle, it’s an exceptional value. We’ve seen Bailly Lapierre Crémant de Bourgogne Pinot Noir at Bauer Wine & Spirits in Boston and at Whole Foods/River St., Cambridge

    Happy New Month!

    Here’s More About:

    Our Sparkling Resolution   

    Our Sparkling Resolution Winner’s List

    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: © 2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.