Christie Kiley on May 12, 2014 0 Comments I love sparkling wine, bubbly, Espumante, espumoso (as they call it in Argentina), Cava, Prosecco, Champagne… pretty much anything with those lively and happy bubbles. They make me happy. Who doesn’t like a sparkly? Obviously, there are people don’t. I think these types may have a serious character flaw or maybe they just haven’t found the champagne that clicks with said character. Varietals Blend Chardonnay: 40% Pinot Meunier: 25% Pinot Noir: 15% Much like chocolate or a juicy steak or a really great burger, I crave sparkling wine. Sometimes it hits me on a warm Sunday afternoon, a Friday night just hanging out at home watching a movie or sitting down for a round of tapas. Bubbles should not just be set aside or considered to mark a celebration, special day or event. No! There are way too many great Espumante to enjoy to only make an occasion for once or twice a year! Piper Sonoma Brut is one you could have at any time or for such special occasions. The winemaker, Wayne Donaldson is no stranger when it comes to Espumante. Wayne comes from Australia and got his start in winemaking with a degree from Roseworthy Agricultural College. In 1988, he was a founding member for Domaine Chandon in Australia on their winemaking team and within ten years’ time, rose to the post of Chief Winemaker. By 2000, Domaine Chandon promoted Wayne Donaldson as the Vice-President of Chandon in California. Following a successful five years more with them in California, he found himself with E&J Gallo as their Senior Director of Premium Winemaking. This international portfolio and experience led him to the world renown company of Remy Cointreau, USA where Wayne took his current position in 2013 as the Winemaker for Piper Sonoma. The Piper Sonoma Winery is located in Healdsburg, Sonoma County in the Russian River region. Many people associate Sonoma with Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Chardonnay and other cool climate wines. Because of its close proximity to the Pacific, early morning fog, cool ocean breezes and overall average cool temperatures, it is also the ideal region for growing such grapes for sparkling; Pinot Noir and Chardonnay being two of them. The growing season is extended in such a climate making for mature and well-rounded, mature fruit. For the blend of the Piper Sonoma NV Brut, we have 60% Chardonnay, 15% Pinot Noir and 25% Pinot Meunier—the other sparkling varietal. About 75% of the grapes for this bubbly come from the other regions of Sonoma; Carneros and Dry Creek for an overall great Sonoma sparkling. The bunches are harvested by hand and kept in small containers until they reach the winery, where they are pressed in whole bunches so as to preserve their delicate aromas and flavors. There is a reason that the Piper Sonoma Brut has won the Gold Medal in the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition as well as the Silver in the San Francisco International Wine Competition. The blend is flawless and interesting that make a wine of this stature, so simple and complete a wine truly for any occasion. Toast to hump-day, make a toast to a long weekend, your birthday, your anniversary or just good company, it doesn’t matter. The color of the wine is of beautiful pale lemon. The fine and tiny bubbles in the glass are persistent and lively and just as fine as they dance across your tongue. The aromas as your bring your glass to your lips are of tasty and crisp orchard fruits: Golden Delicious apples, Honeycrisp apples, Asian pear, lemon zest and sugary yellow grapefruit. The flavors are just as wonderful with more layers of citrus, notes of wild strawberry, raspberry and a perfume of lingering spring flowers and subtle smoke. It is make via Method Champenoise and the second fermentation takes place in the bottle to give it added depth and rich character. The aging is extended to eighteen months. To be enjoyed with and favorite Mediterranean fare, shellfish and fresh pasta with artisan extra virgin olive oil, fresh cheeses and your favorite summer salad or a brunch of quiche or spinach and wild mushroom frittata, don’t forget about sushi. More Wine Reviews: Roederer Estate Brut Animal Espumante Chardonnay-Pinot Noir Gary Farrell Ramal Vineyard 2010 Pinot Noir Cakebread Cellars Red Hills 2010 Zinfandel
