The Hedonistic Taster
Domestic Sparkling Wines
by L.M. Archer
Wine should not be regarded simply as a beverage, but as an art of living, a pleasure.” – Henri Jayer
The Hedonistic Taster provides an intimate format for sharing industry trade sample with readers.
Please enjoy this exclusive selection of affordable, high-quality domestic sparkling wines from Oregon, California, Washington state, and New Mexico.
So much bang for the buck with any of these wines…what are you waiting for? Do it!
Note: The terms “Méthode Champenoise” and “Méthode Traditionnelle” are synonymous, and denote the process of creating sparkling wine developed in Champagne via secondary fermentation in bottle.
Disclaimer: No compensation is received; all opinions expressed are that of the author.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Domaine Ste. Michelle Brut, Méthode Champenoise – Columbia Valley, Washington State.
Vintage:N/V
Alcohol: 12%
Suggested Retail: $ 13
Robe: Clear gold robe; pinhead bubbles.
Nose: Pear, applesauce, pear blossom nose.
Bouche: Frothy mousse; gala apple, bosc pear, fleshy golden apple bouche. Moderate acids, light body, soft finish. Exceptional quality and value.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Domaine Ste. Michelle Brut Rosé, Méthode Champenoise – Columbia Valley, Washington State.
Vintage: N/V
Alcohol: 10.5%
Suggested Retail: $ 13
Robe: Coral robe; pinhead bubbles.
Nose: Biscuit, hawthorn blossom, mimosa aromas.
Bouche: Rich mousse; fleshy red apple, citrus bouche. Bright acids, crisp finish. Exceptional quality and value.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Domaine Ste. Michelle Extra Dry, Méthode Champenoise – Columbia Valley, Washington State.
Vintage: N/V
Alcohol: 12%
Link to Producer Specs here.
Suggested Retail: $ 13
Robe: Pale gold robe; pinhead beading.
Nose: Golden apple, pear aromas.
Bouche: Rounded mousse; slightly sweet, ripe golden apple, citrus bouche. Medium acids; clean finish.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Domaine Ste. Michelle Luxe, Méthode Champenoise – Columbia Valley, Washington State.
Vintage: 2014
Alcohol: 12%
Link to Producer Specs here.
Suggested Retail: $ 25
Robe: Clear straw robe, profuse pinpoint bubbles.
Nose: Star fruit, zwieback, white flower, yellow fruit aromas.
Bouche: Profuse mousse; golden apple, lemon bouche.
Find out more about Domaine Ste. Michelle here.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Gruet Brut Sparkling Wine, Méthode Champenoise – New Mexico.
Vintage: N/V
Alcohol: 12%
Link to Producer Specs here.
Suggested Retail: $ 15
Robe: Deep gold robe; profuse pinpoint bubbles.
Nose: Rusk, quince paste, apple blossom aromas.
Bouche: Clean, crisp, dry, elegant finish. A well-structured, well-balanced wine of exquisite craftsmanship.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Gruet Brut Rosé Sparkling Wine Méthode Champenoise – New Mexico.
Vintage: N/V
Alcohol: 12%
Link to Producer Specs here. (100% Pinot Noir)
Suggested Retail: $ 17
Robe: Coral robe; profuse pinpoint bubbles.
Nose: Strawberry creme, biscuit, pink grapefruit aromas.
Bouche: Generous mousse; strawberry, lemon, pear, cassis bouche. Rich, rounded mouthfeel. My new fave domestic rosé. La Superba.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Gruet Family Sauvage Blanc de Blancs Zéro Dosage American Sparkling Wine, Méthode Champenoise – New Mexico.
Vintage: N/V
Alcohol: 12%
Link to Producer Specs here. (100% Chardonnay)
Suggested Retail: $ 20
Robe: Pale straw hue, fine, persistent bubbles.
Nose: Chalky, vibrant citrus aromas.
Bouche: Dry, baby,dry. No dosage citrus scene-stealer with snappy mineral core.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Gruet Family Sauvage Zéro Dosage Rosé American Sparkling Wine, Méthode Champenoise – New Mexico.
Vintage: N/V
Alcohol: 12%
Link to Producer Specs here.
Suggested Retail: $ 20
Robe: Lovely petal pink robe.
Nose: Enticing notes of lush strawberry and ripe red cherry.
Bouche: Vivacious, non-dosage rosé with muted rose petal and freshly picked strawberry bouche, complimented by a nervy, tensile core. Yes, please!
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Gruet Domaine St. Vincent Brut American Sparkling Wine, Méthode Champenoise –New Mexico.
Vintage: N/V
Alcohol: 12%
Link to Producer Specs here.
Suggested Retail: $ 13
Robe: Pale gold robe, pinpoint bubbles.
Nose: Toasty brioche aromas.
Bouche: Generous, well-balanced, yellow fruit, golden apple and meyer lemon bouche. So festive!
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Gruet Domaine St. Vincent Rosé American Sparkling Wine, Méthode Champenoise – New Mexico.
Vintage: N/V
Alcohol: 12%
Link to Producer Specs here.
Suggested Retail: $ 13
Robe: Appealing salmon pink hue.
Nose: Red berry, slightly herbal aromas.
Bouche: Fun, festive fizz with a bright, red-berried bouche. Another new fave domestic rosé to rave about.
Find out more about Gruet Winery here.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Areté Blanc de Noirs Brut Sparkling Wine, Méthode Champenoise – Chalice Estate Vineyard, Willamette Valley, Oregon.
Vintage: 2016
Alcohol: 12.5%
Producer Specs: Dijon 113 and Pommard clones; Jory soil; 16 months en tirage.
Suggested Retail: $ 59.99 / 72 cases produced.
Robe: Burnished gold robe; profuse, persistent pinpoint beading.
Nose: Yellow fruit, pear, golden plum, butterscotch, rusk aromas; white floral back note.
Bouche: A blanc de noirs that drinks like an aged blanc de blancs. Luxurious mousse; lemon curd, yellow grapefruit, golden apple flesh, white pear bouche with slightly oxidative, burled back notes.
Find out more about Iris Vineyards here.
Read my article about Iris Vineyards in Wine Business Monthly here.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs Brut Sparkling Wine, Méthode Traditionnelle – North Coast, California.
Vintage: 2016
Alcohol: 12.3%
Link to Producer Specs here.
Suggested Retail: $ 41
Robe: Pale lemon robe. Exceptionally tiny bubbles, elegant mousse.
Nose: Zweiback, lemon, almond aromas.
Bouche: Lemon lime, acacia, white floral bouche; chalky, chiseled backbone. Drop-dead gorgeous pour.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Schramsberg Blanc de Noirs Brut Sparkling Wine, Méthode Traditionnelle – North Coast, California.
Vintage: 2015
Alcohol: 12.8%
Link to Producer Specs here.
Suggested Retail: $ 43
Robe: Copper-gold robe; ultra-fine bubbles.
Nose: Brioche, honey, quince jelly aromas.
Bouche: Rich, creamy mousse; marzipan, lemon curd, raspberry, orange zest bouche. Well-crafted sparkler on par with any grower champagne.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Schramsberg J. Shram Brut Sparkling Wine, Méthode Traditionnelle – North Coast, California
Vintage: 2010
Alcohol: 12.4%
Link to Producer Specs here.
Suggested Retail: $ 120
Robe: Burnished gold robe; exquisitely tiny, profuse beading.
Nose: Pineapple, brioche aromas.
Bouche: Silky mousse; meyer lemon, apricot, nectarine, nutmeg, tangy yeasty bouche;zesty, chalky acid backbone. Well-structured. Glorious finish. Memories are made with this.
Find out more about Schramsberg Cellars here.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: WIT “Unleashed” Pinot Grigio Sparkling Wine – Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, Washington State.
Vintage: 2018
Alcohol: 12.5%
Suggested Retail: $ $28
Robe: Pale lemon robe, pinpoint beading.
Nose: Mango, freesia, basil aromas.
Bouche: Discrete mousse; lemon-lime, mango, lush tropical fruit bouche, white floral (jasmine) back note. Bright acids, light body, refreshingly dry.
Find out more about WIT Cellars here.
More Hedonistic Taster here.
Copyrighted L.M. Archer | L.M. Archer LLC. All Rights Reserved.
