Theme was "Bubbles From Around the World" for my neighborhood tasting group. I sourced the wines.
The four warm-up wines:
NV Kir Yianni Sparkling Xinomavro, Greece
Off-the-beaten-path bubbles weren't easy to find here, but there are a number of Greek communities in Washington which brings some interest in Greek wines, hence this. Lovely girly-pink color. Not complex, but deliciously balanced and easy to drink. We poured three bottles each of the warm up wines and this set was the first drained. $18.
NV Medici Ermete Reggiano I Quercioli Secco Lambrusco
Bizzarro. Perfumey nose that took some getting used to, dry red fruit on the palate with texture from mild but apparent tannins and a tart vinegary pucker on the finish. Reactions around the room varied but most were favorable to having such a different experience. $13.
2009 Château de Sours Crémant de Bordeaux Reserve de Sours Sparkling Rosé Brut
55 Merlot, 45 Cabernet. Strong coral-pink color, red wine nose and palate. Good tannins offset the very slight residual sugar. Reactions to this were mixed, I liked it. I paid $18 from WineEx in Orange County, currently selling at Wine.Com for $39.
NV Terre Oria sparklilng Macabeo, Spain
This wine, perhaps produced by a cooperative, has a lot of variation case to case. This unfortunately was one of the lesser batches--clean and easy, a little floral, but no depth. Basically drinks like the $10 shelf price wine it is.
The tasting wines:
2009 Marqués de la Concordia Cava MM Reserva de la Familia Brut Macabeo-Xarel-lo-Parellada Blend
Last time I had this wine I used the words "very impressive" and gave it 90 points. This bottle bore no resemblance--almost clear vs. golden in color--less color, less flavor, less value. $15 shelf price--killer for the January bottle, but just okay for this one (consistent across all four bottles purchased). This wine, for the first time in the history of this club, didn't garner a single first place vote.
2008 Majella Shiraz Sparkling Coonawarra
Plummy fruit, lightly sweet in the Aussie style and sweetened in the traditional way with vintage port, shows a bit of American oak-dill on the finish. Good now and showing some bottle age, but will be even more interesting in five years. Crown closure. Hugely popular with the group--co-1st place.
NV Weingut Willi Bründlmayer Brut Kamptal White Blend
Blend of gruner veltliner, chardonnay, weissburgunder and blauer burgunder, dosed with an '83 LH pinot blanc per the website. Brilliant gold color, persistent mousse, full-bodied with toasted almonds and honey--bold, different and exciting. Eight 1st place votes, and my co-fave of the tasting.
NV Blue Mountain Brut (Gold Label) Okanagan Valley Champagne Blend
Vibrant, pleasingly acidic in line with Blue Mountain's crisp house style especially compared to the Monmouseau next to it, with the body to match. Very 'French' and as good as or better than most entry level French sparklers at $25. Five first place votes, 3rd place for me.
NV Monmousseau Touraine Cuvée J.M. Brut Chenin Blanc
Soft fruit of green apple with toasted honey and hazelnuts. Very pleasant and popular with a group who aren't used to top champagnes. Eight first place votes.
2007 Roederer Estate L'Ermitage Brut Anderson Valley Champagne Blend
Cristal expertise, old world values, new world fruit--utterly gorgeous result. About 60% chardonnay, which gives it a sunny California brightness while the minority pinot noir keeps things suave and toned. 12 first place votes, my 1st. $45 or so on the shelf, but I can buy for $32. Better stock up.
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