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Tag: Chardonnay

  • We Toast December 1st with Memories of Dining Out and Discovering Champagne Pierre Gerbais at Little Whale!

    The latest Champagne to make our favorites list is Champagne Pierre Gerbais Grains de Celles Extra Brut. This year we were able to dine outside until Mid-November. Each meal called for a special celebration since we didn't know when we'd be switching over to takeout at our favorite spots. 

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    By now, you all must know how we love discovering new sparkling wines. Even if it seems a wine will be out of our comfort zone, we'll try it when it was selected by one of our wine mentors. When we discovered a half bottle of this Champagne on the wine list at Michael Serpa's newest restaurant, Little Whale Oyster Bar, we ordered it even though it was described as "Extra Brut."

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    Here's What We Learned From the Importer Becky Wasserman:

    "Champagne Pierre Gerbais is a fourth generation domaine in the Aube. It is spearheaded today by the 20-something Aurélien Gerbais, a handsome-nerdy-hipster winemaker who is unnervingly self-assured for his age, yet soft-spoken and humble. At Gerbais, there are old vines, organic vineyard management, intelligence, respect, passion, relevance, training and drive enough to take this house to the very top of a small band of visionary champagne makers in the Aube who include Aurélien's friend and neighbor Cédric Bouchard, and the small houses of Marie Courtin, Jacques Lassaigne, Ulysse Collin, Horiot, Vouette et Sorbée, etc."

    The blend is unusual at "Pinot Noir (50%), Chardonnay (25%), Pinot Blanc (25%)"

    This bottle had a lot going for it. It is Pinot forward, as are many of our favorite sparklers; it has Pinot Blanc, one of Penny's favorite varietals; and it was a Michael Serpa pick, which we consider highly recommended. 

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    We've not been able to find this wine locally but plan to see if we can repeat our meal of halibut, swordfish, and beet salad with a bottle of Champagne Pierre Gerbais Grains de Celles Extra Brut as takeout from Little Whale today. Remember you can support your favorite restaurants who offer wine to go by occasionally adding a bottle to your order. Let's hope the state continues to allow this option to help restaurants make it through the slow winter season.

    UPDATE: Yeah! They had a half bottle on hand! We bought it to recreate our meal. However, Penny was craving the chowder, so we shared the sword, beet salad, and chowder!

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    We enjoyed our first taste with a bottle at Little Whale for ~$60

    Trying wines from different places, made with different grapes, and produced by different methods, adds spice to our monthly ritual. Since 2007 we have raised a glass of sparkling wine to greet each new month!

    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.

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

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2022 Penny Cherubino 

  • We’ll Toast October with Champagne Billecart-Salmon Brut Rosé

    It's been twelve years since we featured Champagne Billecart-Salmon Brut Rosé. We have a birthday to celebrate in October and decided to splurge and treat ourselves to this old friend of a wine. Perhaps one day we may be able to again raise a glass of wine with friends the way we once did. For now, all we can do is wishfully set out a few extra glasses and set up a virtual toasting session.

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    Billecart-Salmon Brut Rosé Champagne also happens to fit our year of terroir. It has been made by the same family since 1818, and two of the grapes in our bottle are from particular family vineyards. Here is what the house is posting in the current blend notes:

    • 40% Chardonnay sourced from the best Crus in the Champagne region
    • 30% Pinot Noir from the Montagne de Reims and the Grande Vallée de la Marne
    • 30% Pinot Meunier from the Vallée de la Marne and the southern slopes of Epernay

    They are proud of the high use of Pinot Meunier, saying that it gives the wine a creaminess and structure if appropriately grown and fermented. We will be looking for this in the glass as we do our toasting.

    Trying wines from different places, made with different grapes, and produced by different methods adds spice to our monthly ritual. Since 2007 we have raised a glass of sparkling wine to greet each new month!

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    We highly recommend this article on Wine Searcher about this month's wine.

    10 Things Every Wine Lover Should Know About Billecart-Salmon

    Our bottle was delivered to us on sale for $74.99 (generally about $100.) from Gordon's Fine Wines and Liquors.

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    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.

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

     

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2020 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

  • We’ll Toast October with Champagne Billecart-Salmon Brut Rosé

    It's been twelve years since we featured Champagne Billecart-Salmon Brut Rosé. We have a birthday to celebrate in October and decided to splurge and treat ourselves to this old friend of a wine. Perhaps one day we may be able to again raise a glass of wine with friends the way we once did. For now, all we can do is wishfully set out a few extra glasses and set up a virtual toasting session.

    IMG_4074

    Billecart-Salmon Brut Rosé Champagne also happens to fit our year of terroir. It has been made by the same family since 1818, and two of the grapes in our bottle are from particular family vineyards. Here is what the house is posting in the current blend notes:

    • 40% Chardonnay sourced from the best Crus in the Champagne region
    • 30% Pinot Noir from the Montagne de Reims and the Grande Vallée de la Marne
    • 30% Pinot Meunier from the Vallée de la Marne and the southern slopes of Epernay

    They are proud of the high use of Pinot Meunier, saying that it gives the wine a creaminess and structure if appropriately grown and fermented. We will be looking for this in the glass as we do our toasting.

    Trying wines from different places, made with different grapes, and produced by different methods adds spice to our monthly ritual. Since 2007 we have raised a glass of sparkling wine to greet each new month!

    IMG_4079

    We highly recommend this article on Wine Searcher about this month's wine.

    10 Things Every Wine Lover Should Know About Billecart-Salmon

    Our bottle was delivered to us on sale for $74.99 (generally about $100.) from Gordon's Fine Wines and Liquors.

    IMG_4080

    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.

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

     

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2020 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

  • New Mexico’s Gruet Sauvage Joins Our “Grand Tour” of Terroir

    We'll say "Happy New Month" to March with a blanc de blanc sparkling wine from New Mexico, Gruet Sauvage. We've been long time fans of the Gruet wines, but Sauvage is new to us.

    It's on the current wine list at Grand Tour, a new restaurant from Chef Michael Serpa and his team. This place is already a favorite with us. We've been stopping in since it opened slowly working our way through the engaging menu.

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    Michael has become the latest of our wine mentors so even when we normally shy away from 100% Chardonnay sparklers, we are quick to try a glass of any wine that he selects. Our goal in 2020 is to explore terroir with our monthly toast, this wine from New Mexico fits right in.

    Here is what the Gruet vintners say about their terroir.

    "With high elevation, sandy loam soils, and sweeping winds to naturally keep away pests and thin the canopy for greater flavors, New Mexico’s desert landscape proved the ideal starting ground for Gruet.

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    Here are the tasting notes from Gruet:

    "Gruet Sauvage NV is a bone-dry sparkler, pale straw in color with a delicate but persistent mousse. The aromas of bright mineral and citrus notes tickle the nose followed by touches of green apple, lemon and, grapefruit. The finish is structured, flavorful and long. The bright acidity makes this wine a perfect pairing for oysters, sushi and cream sauces."

    We've already enjoyed a few glasses of this crisp, food-oriented sparkler at the bar at Grand Tour. We'll return there today to raise another glass with friends to wish one another a "Happy New Month." We recommend the wine and we recommend the restaurant!

    IMG_7869

    Trying wines from different places, made with different grapes, and produced by different methods adds spice to our monthly ritual. Since 2007 we have raised a glass of sparkling wine to greet each new month. Cheers!

    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.

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

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2020 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

  • New Mexico’s Gruet Sauvage Joins Our “Grand Tour” of Terroir

    We'll say "Happy New Month" to March with a blanc de blanc sparkling wine from New Mexico, Gruet Sauvage. We've been long time fans of the Gruet wines, but Sauvage is new to us.

    It's on the current wine list at Grand Tour, a new restaurant from Chef Michael Serpa and his team. This place is already a favorite with us. We've been stopping in since it opened slowly working our way through the engaging menu.

    IMG_7864

    Michael has become the latest of our wine mentors so even when we normally shy away from 100% Chardonnay sparklers, we are quick to try a glass of any wine that he selects. Our goal in 2020 is to explore terroir with our monthly toast, this wine from New Mexico fits right in.

    Here is what the Gruet vintners say about their terroir.

    "With high elevation, sandy loam soils, and sweeping winds to naturally keep away pests and thin the canopy for greater flavors, New Mexico’s desert landscape proved the ideal starting ground for Gruet.

    IMG_7868

    Here are the tasting notes from Gruet:

    "Gruet Sauvage NV is a bone-dry sparkler, pale straw in color with a delicate but persistent mousse. The aromas of bright mineral and citrus notes tickle the nose followed by touches of green apple, lemon and, grapefruit. The finish is structured, flavorful and long. The bright acidity makes this wine a perfect pairing for oysters, sushi and cream sauces."

    We've already enjoyed a few glasses of this crisp, food-oriented sparkler at the bar at Grand Tour. We'll return there today to raise another glass with friends to wish one another a "Happy New Month." We recommend the wine and we recommend the restaurant!

    IMG_7869

    Trying wines from different places, made with different grapes, and produced by different methods adds spice to our monthly ritual. Since 2007 we have raised a glass of sparkling wine to greet each new month. Cheers!

    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.

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

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2020 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

  • Bollinger Special Cuvée Champagne Wraps Up Our Year of Monthly Toasts with Favorite Sparkling Wines

    As our year of monthly toasts with old favorites comes to an end, we will enjoy a bottle of Bollinger Special Cuvée Champagne. It ticks all the boxes for what we love in a Champagne.

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    We often will compare Pinot-forward sparkling wines to Bollinger when judging what we like or don't like about them. This outstanding cuvée is the perfect choice to complete our goal of toasting each month in 2018 with an old favorite instead of auditioning twelve new contenders. Besides, enjoying time with old friends is always a good idea.

    Trying wines from different places, made with different grapes, and produced by different methods adds spice to our monthly ritual. Since 2007 we've raised a glass of sparkling wine to greet each new month. We invite you to join our Sparkling Resolution and raise a glass of something sparkling on the first of each month in 2019!

    IMG_2475 (1)

    Here's what the winemakers tell us about Bollinger Special Cuvée Champagne.

    For people like us who just buy a bottle of wine and enjoy it because we know we love it, taking a fresh look at the official notes can actually give us different nuances to look for and enjoy.

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    Details

    "Blend: 60% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay, 15% Meunier. Over 85% Grands and Premiers crus. 

    Maturation: cellar aged for more than twice the time required by the appellation. 

    Dosage: moderate, 8 to 9 grams per liter."

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    Tasting Notes

    "To the eye: a golden colour, distinctive of black grape varieties; very fine bubbles. 

    To the nose: a beautiful aromatic complexity ; ripe fruit and spicy aromas ; hints of roasted apples, apple compote and peaches. 
    On the palate: a subtle combination of structure, length and vivacity ; bubbles like velvet ; pear, brioche and spicy aromas, notes of fresh walnut."
     
    Bollinger is a Champagne to share with special friends to celebrate life's special moments or to pop open when the wine itself is to be the occasion.

    We purchased our bottle at Federal Wine and Spirits, but it is widely available and can occasionally be found at bargain prices. Expect to see it in the $60 to $70 range.

    Here's to 2019. Cheers!

     

    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.

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

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2018 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

  • Bollinger Special Cuvée Champagne Wraps Up Our Year of Monthly Toasts with Favorite Sparkling Wines

    As our year of monthly toasts with old favorites comes to an end, we will enjoy a bottle of Bollinger Special Cuvée Champagne. It ticks all the boxes for what we love in a Champagne.

    IMG_2471

    We often will compare Pinot-forward sparkling wines to Bollinger when judging what we like or don't like about them. This outstanding cuvée is the perfect choice to complete our goal of toasting each month in 2018 with an old favorite instead of auditioning twelve new contenders. Besides, enjoying time with old friends is always a good idea.

    Trying wines from different places, made with different grapes, and produced by different methods adds spice to our monthly ritual. Since 2007 we've raised a glass of sparkling wine to greet each new month. We invite you to join our Sparkling Resolution and raise a glass of something sparkling on the first of each month in 2019!

    IMG_2475 (1)

    Here's what the winemakers tell us about Bollinger Special Cuvée Champagne.

    For people like us who just buy a bottle of wine and enjoy it because we know we love it, taking a fresh look at the official notes can actually give us different nuances to look for and enjoy.

    6a00e54fc42bb88834016767f2467e970b-800wi

    Details

    "Blend: 60% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay, 15% Meunier. Over 85% Grands and Premiers crus. 

    Maturation: cellar aged for more than twice the time required by the appellation. 

    Dosage: moderate, 8 to 9 grams per liter."

    6a00e54fc42bb88834016767f20185970b-800wi

    Tasting Notes

    "To the eye: a golden colour, distinctive of black grape varieties; very fine bubbles. 

    To the nose: a beautiful aromatic complexity ; ripe fruit and spicy aromas ; hints of roasted apples, apple compote and peaches. 
    On the palate: a subtle combination of structure, length and vivacity ; bubbles like velvet ; pear, brioche and spicy aromas, notes of fresh walnut."
     
    Bollinger is a Champagne to share with special friends to celebrate life's special moments or to pop open when the wine itself is to be the occasion.

    We purchased our bottle at Federal Wine and Spirits, but it is widely available and can occasionally be found at bargain prices. Expect to see it in the $60 to $70 range.

    Here's to 2019. Cheers!

     

    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.

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

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2018 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

  • Argyle Vintage Brut 2013 Is Our choice to Toast October 2018 with an Old Favorite!

    We've made Argyle Vintage Brut 2013 our choice for October in this year of favorite sparkling wines!

    We almost always have a bottle of this outstanding sparkler in our wine rack, so we pulled one out to chill and to toast one of our favorite months of the year.

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    Trying wines from different places, made with different grapes, and produced by different methods adds spice to our monthly ritual. Since 2007 we have raised a glass of sparkling wine to greet each new month! Here's some basic info about this one.

    The Facts:

    Vintage Brut | 2013 Willamette Valley AVA

    Bottle Fermented, Aged on the Yeast,

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

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    The last time we reported to you on this particular vintage of this particular wine, we said:

    "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!"

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    Here's to October 2018! Raise a glass of one of your favorites with us! And, while you're toasting, raise a glass to a great winemaker Rollin Soles!

    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 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.

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

    Details:

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

  • Argyle Vintage Brut 2013 Is Our choice to Toast October 2018 with an Old Favorite!

    We've made Argyle Vintage Brut 2013 our choice for October in this year of favorite sparkling wines!

    We almost always have a bottle of this outstanding sparkler in our wine rack, so we pulled one out to chill and to toast one of our favorite months of the year.

    6a00e54fc42bb8883401b8d291d312970c-800wi

    Trying wines from different places, made with different grapes, and produced by different methods adds spice to our monthly ritual. Since 2007 we have raised a glass of sparkling wine to greet each new month! Here's some basic info about this one.

    The Facts:

    Vintage Brut | 2013 Willamette Valley AVA

    Bottle Fermented, Aged on the Yeast,

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

    6a00e54fc42bb8883401bb09aab7a0970d-800wi

    The last time we reported to you on this particular vintage of this particular wine, we said:

    "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!"

    6a00e54fc42bb8883401bb09aab81e970d-800wi

    Here's to October 2018! Raise a glass of one of your favorites with us! And, while you're toasting, raise a glass to a great winemaker Rollin Soles!

    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 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.

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

    Details:

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

  • Toasting July with Charles de Cazanove Rosé Champagne

    For July we would like to reintroduce you to a lovely bottle of Charles de Cazanove Rosé Champagne. This year we're having a great time shopping in our own wine rack and enjoying old favorite sparkling wines for our first-of-the-month wine toasts.

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    Above is a photo from a couple of years ago when we first wrote about this wine in our post: 

    Charles de Cazanove Rosé Champagne – One Happy Surprise!

    Click over there to find out how a mistake made in a moment of hurry had a happy ending.

    Trying wines from different places, made with different grapes, and produced by different methods adds spice to our monthly ritual. Since New Years Eve 2007 we have raised a glass of sparkling wine to greet each new month!

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    Our bottle of Charles de Cazanove Rosé is a blend of 15% Chardonnay, 50% Pinot Noir, 20% Pinot Meunier, and 15% Côteaux Champenois Rouge. The blend will vary from year-to-year as the winemaker tries to achieve the house style. We're always happy when we see a high percentage of Pinot Noir in a bottle. And, we love wines of great value. This one should be about $35. 

    K & L Wines always has great and reliable descriptions of wines. "This rich, round rosé is a truly affordable luxury. Although thus far off the radar of wine critics, I think it's the best wine from de Cazanove, with its lovely strawberry color and aromas. Full-bodied but nicely balanced, this wine will make a great aperitif or pair well with a charcuterie plate or after-dinner fruit salad."

    Then they include this quote which makes us happy about opening an older bottle.

    "… 91 points Wine Spectator, Refined, with well-meshed acidity providing a backbone for delicate flavors of dried currant, graphite, green plum, meringue and grapefruit zest. Fresh, smoke-tinged finish. Drink now through 2020."

    Our friends at Bauer Wine & Spirits often have this wine in stock.

    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.

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

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2018 Penny & Ed Cherubino