Gaudrelle Cremant de Loire Sparkling Brut NV

Very complex nose. Elegance and finesse. A surprising aromatic complexity. A bouquet of aromas dominated by honey, brioche and notes of dried fruits, hazelnuts and sweets. Perfectly matured.

Juice exclusively 100% Grand Cru from Chouilly, chalky soil and subsoil.

It matches magnificently with foie gras!

Charles Duret Cremant de Bourgogne NV is made from 70% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay

The appellation Crémant de Bourgogne Contrôlée was created by a decree on the 17th October, 1975. The very important base wine for Crémant comes from pre-selected vines within the Burgundy region. There is a very strict hand sorting of the grapes before they are de-stemmed and pressed before vinification.  The second fermentation takes place in the bottle. Made in the traditional method of bottle fermentation over a minimum of 9 months before de-gorging, dosage de départ  and the final cork being inserted.
The grape varietals are 70% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay. Delicate, long-lasting bubbles are proof of this traditional, bottle fermented, quality sparkling white burgundy wine.  Fresh, fruity flavors with a hint of hazelnuts on the finish.
This Crémant is delicious served as an apéritif or with food, in particular with dishes which have creamy wine sauces. 
It is the perfect wine for receptions.

"The non-vintage Charles Duret Crémant de Bourgogne is composed of 70 percent pinot noir and 30 percent chardonnay grapes. Made in the venerable champagne method — or méthode traditionelle — this delicate, taut and paradoxically creamy sparkling wine offers uplifting aromas of biscuits and hazelnuts and enticing meadowy scents. It’s fashioned in a light, tight, satisfyingly effervescent manner, with a sense of lovely well-knit tone and presence. Flavors of toast and lime zest lead to a slightly spicy, limestone-etched finish. Very Good+ and Great Value at about $20."

Review:

"A blend of 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay made the traditional method and aged on the lees for 9 months, the Charles Duret Crémant de Bourgogne offers a nose of pastry and orchard fruit that are mirrored on the palate with the addition of some toasty lees. It’s full in the mouth, fresh and a touch steely in character, and finishes with good length and lingering fresh flavors."
- International Wine Review (Champagnes & Sparkling Wines for the Holidays: The Best of 2018), 90 pts

 

Made from 100% Barbera.

Vineyards: The vineyard are located in the village of Novello ; WEST exposure with medium slope.

Average density of vines: 5500 vines per hectare

Method of cultivation: classical Guyot method with medium-short pruning; the vineyard are three, two with west exposure and one south with medium slope. Green harvest in two different times with reduction of grapes with a production per hectare around 5500 kg .

Winemaking: The grapes are harvested very ripe with a meticulous selection; the fermentation took place in stainless steel vats with temperature controlled. The fermentation is around 30°C with 8-10 days of maceration ; malolattic fermentation took place spontaneously in stainless steel vats.

Refinement: After malolattic fermentation the wine stay for 18 month in new French barriques; then the wine is bottled and refined for 12 month.

Bottle production: 3000 circa

Tasting Notes: This Barbera offers ripe dark fruit, spice and earthy sensations, as well as hints of black pepper and anisette. Heavy and brooding on the palate, but refreshing acidity will make this very food friendly. It would work well with pasta topped with porcini mushrooms or grilled meats.

Thorn Clarke William Randel Cabernet is made from 100 percent Cabernet

Deep red in colour. The nose is lifted and expressive with lovely Christmas cake and mint characters along with black olives and tobacco leaf adding complexity. The palate is medium to full bodied with blueberry and hints of cassis as the primary fruit flavours. The palate has great poise with the vibrant fruit, spicy French oak and fine tannin structure all wonderfully balanced, and the wine finishes with great length of fruit.

Review:

Eden Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from an excellent vintage. Deep, dark fruit crashes over firm, ropey tannin. To say that this will live and mature over a long period is an understatement. Mint, cassis, clovey oak, undergrowth. A substantial wine with a substantial future. - The Wine Front 94 Points 

Raymond Chan, NZ, April 2016

 Dark, deep, near saturated black-red colour with a touch of garnet on the edge. The nose is very firm and tightly bound with concentrated aromas of blackberry fruit harmoniously entwined with layers of menthol and cedar, revealing nuances of eucalypt, black olives and cassis. The aromatics build in intensity with aeration. Full-bodied, the palate features a firm and tightly concentrated heart with layers of rich and lusciously sweet, blackcurrant fruit with cassis, blackberries, menthol. mint and cedar. The palate is well-constructed with plenty of fine-grained tannin extraction forming a firm and dense core, with integrated acidity lending tension and drive, and enhancing the fruit sweetness. The structure carries the flavours to a long, lingering finish. This is a finely concentrated, firm, but fine-grained Cabernet Sauvignon with sweet blackcurrant fruit and layers of cassis, menthol, mint and cedar. Serve with lamb and beef, and with hard cheeses over the next 7-10 years. Fruit from ‘Milton’ Park, Eden Valley, fermented to 14.5% alc., the wine aged 16 months in French oak hogsheads. -18.5/20 Raymond Chan, NZ, April 2016

Wolfberger Cremant d Alsace Brut NV is made with 90 % Pinot Blanc, 10% Pinot Auxerrois.

The production of sparkling wine was already known in Alsace in the early 1900's. The Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (A.O.C.) Crémant d’Alsace began with an official decree in August 1976.
 
Pale golden color. Fine, persistent bubbles. Floral nose with a hint of spiciness, gentle fruitiness (peach, apricot), and lovely balance. Fruity and lively in the palate, it has a clean and crisp finish. This wine will suit any special occasion.

Review:

"Clean, poised, rounded notes of ripe, red-cheeked apples play on every front. There is something joyous and bountiful here. The frothy mousse accentuates the light-hearted but generous aspect on the dry but rounded palate, which also brings ample refreshment.- Anne Krebiehl, MW"

Wine Enthusiast (Dec 1st 2015), 90 pts

"This bargain bubbly bursts with bright red-fruit flavors and scintillating acidity. It punches well above its price, with nice depth and complexity. ABV: 12 percent. - Dave McIntyre"

- Washington Post ("Bottled poetry, plus 4 other wines to ring in 2016", December 26th 2015), ** 1/2

"Made the traditional method, this 90/10 blend of Pinot Blanc and Pinot Auxerrois from the Alsace with a minimum of 12 months on the lees. Showing apple and shortbread on the nose, this Crémant has a lovely creamy, textured mouth feel and firm acidity that combine to offer unusual drinking pleasure in a wine of this price. If you’re trying to decide whether to buy a Prosecco or spend a few more dollars for this wine, I’d say go for it!"

- International Wine Review (Champagnes & Sparkling Wines for the Holidays: The Best of 2018), 91 pts

Tasting Notes: Deep, dark ruby color, aromas of blue fruits, confectionery and subtle licorice characters, thick luscious palate with good structure and soft finish.

The Blend is 44% Rubired, 31% Durif and 25% Shiraz.

Rubired is a cross between Tinto Cao and Alicante Ganzin (which is itself a cross between Alicante Bouschet and Aramon Rupestris Ganzin). It is known for being particularly adapted to the hot climate and producing dark wines, as the color is not only coming from the grape's skin, but also from the grape juice itself. It was developed in 1958 by H.P. Olmo of the University of California Davis.

Durif, also known as Petite Sirah, is also a cross of two different grape varietals: Syrah and Peloursin. It was created by French botanist François Durif in 1860 while keeping Syrah and Peloursin plants under the same roof; it happened from a natural process called "cross-pollination." The grape itself is known for its very aromatic, plummy character.

Shiraz, which we all know for being the most recognized grape varietal of Australia, brings some minty, spicy and fruity characteristics to the wines.

Grapes are crushed and destemmed then placed in rotary fermenters where three rotations per day break up the cap and extract color and tannin. Commercial yeast is added for fermentation. The juice is pressed to stainless steel for malolactic fermentation, undergoes oak maturation for 9 months, then is stored in stainless steel.

Pairs well with BBQ lamb with roast vegetables.