Tag: cuvée

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.

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!

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.

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."

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!

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

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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.

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Details:

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

December 31, 2018
What Better Way to Welcome May then with a Paul Chollet Crémant Brut Rosé!

Get a jump on all the May celebrations and join us to toast the arrival of one of our favorite months!

On a recent visit to Provincetown, we spied a bottle of Crémant Brut Rosé and wondered if it just might have the poise and finesse to help us enjoy keeping "Our Sparkling Resolution."

I wouldn’t say, “we’ve never met a crémant we didn’t like,” but almost! It’s a nice value bottle of bubbles that’s often just as satisfying, and perhaps not as intimidating, as Champagne.

Paul Chollet Crémant De Bourgogne Brut Rosé is described by its winemaker as having fine bubbles with a creamy and persistent mousse. The delicacy of the Rosé can be seen in “the very beautiful robe of a shiny and delicate pink” – sounds like poise to me.

The characteristics of the Pinot Noir are “marked by notes of red fruits, raspberry and ripe[ness].”

The cuvée of Pinot Noir, “gives us the balance, the generosity and the power of the Pinot Noir Bourguignons” – anyone for finesse?

“This ideal aperitif wine is very popular with a chocolate or fruit dessert or a tatin tart.”

Can’t wait to hear that cork pop!

We purchased our bottle of Paul Chollet Crémant De Bourgogne Brut Rosé at Glass Half Full in Provincetown for around $20.

Imported by: Winebow, Somerville, MA

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: © 2017 Penny Cherubino

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May 1, 2017
What Better Way to Welcome May then with a Paul Chollet Crémant Brut Rosé!

Get a jump on all the May celebrations and join us to toast the arrival of one of our favorite months!

On a recent visit to Provincetown, we spied a bottle of Crémant Brut Rosé and wondered if it just might have the poise and finesse to help us enjoy keeping "Our Sparkling Resolution."

I wouldn’t say, “we’ve never met a crémant we didn’t like,” but almost! It’s a nice value bottle of bubbles that’s often just as satisfying, and perhaps not as intimidating, as Champagne.

Paul Chollet Crémant De Bourgogne Brut Rosé is described by its winemaker as having fine bubbles with a creamy and persistent mousse. The delicacy of the Rosé can be seen in “the very beautiful robe of a shiny and delicate pink” – sounds like poise to me.

The characteristics of the Pinot Noir are “marked by notes of red fruits, raspberry and ripe[ness].”

The cuvée of Pinot Noir, “gives us the balance, the generosity and the power of the Pinot Noir Bourguignons” – anyone for finesse?

“This ideal aperitif wine is very popular with a chocolate or fruit dessert or a tatin tart.”

Can’t wait to hear that cork pop!

We purchased our bottle of Paul Chollet Crémant De Bourgogne Brut Rosé at Glass Half Full in Provincetown for around $20.

Imported by: Winebow, Somerville, MA

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: © 2017 Penny Cherubino

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

Happy Birthday to Poppy as She Turns Three

May 1, 2017
Champagne Résonance from Marie-Courtin, Special Bubbles to Ring-In the New Year!
Although we toast the beginning of every new month with a glass of bubbly to remain true to Our Sparkling Resolution, we admittedly get a little more excited about the arrival of January. After all, greeting a new year definitely holds special significance and therefore (follow me here) calls for a bottle of “special” bubbles.

We hope you'll join Our Sparkling Resolution and have fun with it. There are no rules!

For instance, if you’re someone who thinks Champagne (or any sparkler) is ONLY for special occasions, consider the advice of Master Sommelier Andrea (Immer) Robinson in her book "Great Wine Made Simple: Straight Talk from a Master Sommelier":

"Get over it. Say this to yourself: 'I deserve to open a bottle of bubbly. I do not need an excuse. I do not have to deny myself and wait until some significant event comes along.' For me, if the day dawns, that is an occasion for Champagne."

Happy New Year!

Now More About Our New Year's Wine!

Say hello to Résonance, a Champagne from Marie-Courtin! This 100% Pinot Noir, biodynamically farmed, non-dosage cuvée has been getting some rave reviews for the last several years.

Here’s what critics are saying:

(The Vinguard/2013)
- “This Champagne has a firm chord of acidity that runs throughout.”
(Decanter)
- “… pungent depth of fruit and distinctly flinty minerality”
- “… demonstrates a remarkably elegant poise … with a refinement and discreet grace.”
- “Organically farmed Grower Champagne”
(Joli Vin Imports)
- “The N V (2012) Extra Brut Résonance is a real stand out”
- “Beautifully textured and generous”
- “offers terrific depth, with fewer of the hard edges these wines can sometimes show”
- “Dried pear, spice, mint and licorice flow through to the effortless, creamy finish”
(Just Grapes) (2013)
- “Résonance resoundingly discredits the austerity critics’ claims”
- “One of the most accessible, pure, fruity and fresh Champagnes I’ve had”
Sedimentary Wine (2011)

Résonance NV (2008)
- "Clear, light hay/sunshine yellow."
- "Dough, small red fruits, soil"
- "Medium bodied with lovely density and mid palate weight"
- "Plum skin, red apple and mineral"
- "Finished dry and long with pinot tinged extract. Delicious."
Antonio Galloni: 93 points: (2008) Extra Brut Resonance:
- “a brilliant, energetic wine … with gorgeous richness and depth”
- “Succulent apricots, peaches, flowers and crushed rocks are some of the many nuances
- “Chalky notes linger on the precise, beautifully articulated, eternal finish”
- “kept getting better and better with air”
- “It is a fabulous wine in every way. I loved it."
Polaner Selections
- “Résonance is fermented in stainless steel”
- “the grapes are all harvested by hand”
- “The wines are fermented with natural yeasts”
- “there is no dosage added upon disgorgement”
- “[Dominique] recommends that [Résonance] be served in traditional white wine glasses to allow for [its] development through increased aeration” ( As you can see in the photo above, we plan to do just that!)
Résonance Champagne Marie-Courtin Extra Brut Pinot Noir

(From Thomas Calder Selections)

Imported by: Vineyard Road Inc. Framingham, MA

ABV: 12%

Date of disgorgement: June 2016

We purchased our bottle of Résonance Champagne Marie-Courtin at City Liquors in Cambridge.

Here’s more about Our Sparkling Resolution

And 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

Related articles

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

Bollinger Rosé Champagne Is Our Choice for Our New Year's Toast!
December 31, 2016
Champagne Résonance from Marie-Courtin, Special Bubbles to Ring-In the New Year!
Although we toast the beginning of every new month with a glass of bubbly to remain true to Our Sparkling Resolution, we admittedly get a little more excited about the arrival of January. After all, greeting a new year definitely holds special significance and therefore (follow me here) calls for a bottle of “special” bubbles.

We hope you'll join Our Sparkling Resolution and have fun with it. There are no rules!

For instance, if you’re someone who thinks Champagne (or any sparkler) is ONLY for special occasions, consider the advice of Master Sommelier Andrea (Immer) Robinson in her book "Great Wine Made Simple: Straight Talk from a Master Sommelier":

"Get over it. Say this to yourself: 'I deserve to open a bottle of bubbly. I do not need an excuse. I do not have to deny myself and wait until some significant event comes along.' For me, if the day dawns, that is an occasion for Champagne."

Happy New Year!

Now More About Our New Year's Wine!

Say hello to Résonance, a Champagne from Marie-Courtin! This 100% Pinot Noir, biodynamically farmed, non-dosage cuvée has been getting some rave reviews for the last several years.

Here’s what critics are saying:

(The Vinguard/2013)
- “This Champagne has a firm chord of acidity that runs throughout.”
(Decanter)
- “… pungent depth of fruit and distinctly flinty minerality”
- “… demonstrates a remarkably elegant poise … with a refinement and discreet grace.”
- “Organically farmed Grower Champagne”
(Joli Vin Imports)
- “The N V (2012) Extra Brut Résonance is a real stand out”
- “Beautifully textured and generous”
- “offers terrific depth, with fewer of the hard edges these wines can sometimes show”
- “Dried pear, spice, mint and licorice flow through to the effortless, creamy finish”
(Just Grapes) (2013)
- “Résonance resoundingly discredits the austerity critics’ claims”
- “One of the most accessible, pure, fruity and fresh Champagnes I’ve had”
Sedimentary Wine (2011)

Résonance NV (2008)
- "Clear, light hay/sunshine yellow."
- "Dough, small red fruits, soil"
- "Medium bodied with lovely density and mid palate weight"
- "Plum skin, red apple and mineral"
- "Finished dry and long with pinot tinged extract. Delicious."
Antonio Galloni: 93 points: (2008) Extra Brut Resonance:
- “a brilliant, energetic wine … with gorgeous richness and depth”
- “Succulent apricots, peaches, flowers and crushed rocks are some of the many nuances
- “Chalky notes linger on the precise, beautifully articulated, eternal finish”
- “kept getting better and better with air”
- “It is a fabulous wine in every way. I loved it."
Polaner Selections
- “Résonance is fermented in stainless steel”
- “the grapes are all harvested by hand”
- “The wines are fermented with natural yeasts”
- “there is no dosage added upon disgorgement”
- “[Dominique] recommends that [Résonance] be served in traditional white wine glasses to allow for [its] development through increased aeration” ( As you can see in the photo above, we plan to do just that!)
Résonance Champagne Marie-Courtin Extra Brut Pinot Noir

(From Thomas Calder Selections)

Imported by: Vineyard Road Inc. Framingham, MA

ABV: 12%

Date of disgorgement: June 2016

We purchased our bottle of Résonance Champagne Marie-Courtin at City Liquors in Cambridge.

Here’s more about Our Sparkling Resolution

And 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

Related articles

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

Bollinger Rosé Champagne Is Our Choice for Our New Year's Toast!
December 31, 2016
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.

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
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
- 100% Pinot Noir
- 12% ABV
- $89 @ Federal Wine & Spirits
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
January 4, 2016
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.

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
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
- 100% Pinot Noir
- 12% ABV
- $89 @ Federal Wine & Spirits
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
January 4, 2016
Celebrating October with Gérard Bertrand Crémant, a Sparkler Jefferson Would Have Loved
We’re ringing in a new month with a bottle of Gérard Bertrand Crémant de Limoux Brut 2012.

It’s hard to miss the likeness of Thomas Jefferson that’s pictured on the front label of this cuvee as a tribute from winemaker Gerard Bertrand to our third president whom he called, “Limoux’s greatest admirer,” claiming that, “wine from Limoux was the only sparkling wine to be found in his [Jefferson’s] personal wine cellar.”

Much has been written about Jefferson’s love of wine including his, “preference for the lighter French and Italian wines.” So, after enjoying this cremant ourselves, we’d have to guess that he’d have been quite pleased with this sparkler.

Penny thought it was softer and fruitier than many Cremants with a good bit of apple taste. It was full-flavored yet not acidic, balanced, and food-friendly – pairing well with a Honeycrisp and some pretzels.

That first sip brings a burst of flavor that’s fruity with a tart note that slides underneath and makes you want to go back for more.

Gérard Bertrand Crémant de Limoux is a blend of 70% Chardonnay, 15% Chenin Blanc, 10% Mauzac, and 5% Pinot Noir. (12.5% ABV)

The winemaker attributes this sparkler’s texture and balance to its Chenin and Chardonnay grapes:
- Color: "a beautiful, golden yellow robe"
- "Complex, aromatic nose" with "hints of white flower … honey, green apple and toast."
- "Crisp, elegant structure on the palate … texture of the bubbles complements the wine’s natural vivacity …"
Gérard Bertrand Crémant de Limoux Brut 2012 is produced 15 miles outside of Carcassonne in southern France from some of the highest vineyards in the Languedoc.

We found our bottle at Bauer Wine & Spirits on the south side of Newbury Street in Boston not far from sea level.

Here’s to October and, of course, to Thomas Jefferson. Salute!

Read More about Our Sparkling Resolution

And, 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: © 2014 Penny & Ed Cherubino

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October 1, 2014
Toasting July with Piper-Heidsieck Champagne Brut!

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.

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!

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.

July 1, 2013
Toasting July with Piper-Heidsieck Champagne Brut!

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.

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!

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.

July 1, 2013