Holiday Sparkling Wines - December 16th, 2009 - Ms. Sarah

Holiday Sparkling Wines - December 16th, 2009 - Ms. Sarah
Ms. Sarah, arranged for us to do a tasting at The Grape-Phipps Plaza. Thank you Sarah for setting this up!

Wikipedia: Sparkling Wine. White wine. Also Cava, Cremant, Champagne, Espumante (Spanish), Rose, Prosecco (Italian), Sekt (German), Pezsgo (Hungarian), Iskra (Bulgarian), Sovetskoye Shampanskoye (Russian), etc.
Pairings: smoked salmon, buttered popcorn, brie and gouda, shrimp and shellfish, stuffed mushrooms, sweetbread and marscapone cheese, shortbread cookies, fruit-based desserts. more pairings
About: Sparkling wine is fizzy wine

Tasting Notes:
1) Gruet, Blanc de Noirs, New Mexico
Said to have "creamy texture with great finesse." Blanc de Noirs means "White of Black" as it is a white sparkling wine produced by dark colored grapes. Gruet Blanc D Noirs is made from Pinot Noir.
Abbie thought it was perfectly dry with a delicate bit of sweet juiciness.

2)J, Rose Brut, Sonoma County
Said to have "delicate, pale pink sparkling wine with fresh fruit flavors of strawberry and rhubarb." This sparkling wine is made from Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier.
Abbie thought it was a bit sour tasting (in a nice way), tart, and very bright & lively. Too cheeky for my preference in a sparkling wine though. Lovely pale rose color. Most of the TWITS seemed to love this one!

3) Jed Steele, Black Bubbles, Sparkling Syrah, Lake County
Said to be "100% Syrah, Fruity, playful, perfect for holiday parties"
Jed Steele's son practiced wine making in Australia and discovered this sparkling Shiraz. He brought his idea back home, to formulate this unique Syrah Blend.
Abbie thought it was a lovely dark maroon color, festive, and slightly sweeter than the others.

Other highlights of the evening:
Someone needs to make a "Caperberry Pizza" and we feel it would be a hit!
The Truffle Tremor Cheese, is TO DIE FOR!
My table ordered up some other red wines to taste (not sparkling though)

1) Mollydooker, The Scooter, Merlot (can get at Total Wine for ~ $25/bottle)
aromas of plum, chocolate, etc, velvety texture, amazing spice and smooth taste, and legs that go on and on like a Rockette!
Abbie recently fell in love with Mollydooker wines, on a trip to New York City over Thanksgiving. She tried The Boxer first, and then Two Left Feet. The Grape only had The Scooter and The Violinist on-hand, but being a true Red Wine Wino, Abbie insisted on The Scooter. It was absolutely worth it. The Total Wine at Perimeter carries "The Boxer" and "Two Left Feet" in stock.
Learn about the "Mollydooker Shake" also.

2) Martin Codax Ergo Rioja (Tempranillo)
dark, robust flavor, some fruit, and smooth yet dry.

3) MacMurray Ranch Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast
Delicious! The 2007 vintage is absolutely sold out! Yummy!