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Sparkling wine review: J Winery Cuvee 20 Brut

Taylor Eason — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 18:32:51 +0000

A dear friend gave me a 1.5 liter magnum of this elegant sparkling wine for Christmas and I almost peed my pants. (Available to buy online only, by the way). There's nothing quite like looking at a family-sized bottle of bubbly and savoring the ensuing drinking fantasies. I haven't opened the behemoth yet but the little 750-milliliter brothers of the California sparkler are a staple in my house. A blend of 49% Chardonnay, 49% Pinot Noir and 2% Pinot Meunier grapes, Cuvee 20's new, sleek packaging celebrates Judy Jordan's 25 years of making sparkling wine in Sonoma's Russian River Valley. They've had some time to get it right using the same production methods and grape varietals established in France. Sure, not that long in French Champagne terms but, hey, we're a new country full of zeal, still finding our wine way.

Sparkling wine review: Schramsberg Blanc de Noirs Brut 2007

Taylor Eason — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 01:35:32 +0000

My history with Napa Valley's Schramsberg Winery goes back a few years. Back in 2006, I spent a day during harvest in 2006 with their former winemaker, Craig Roemer, and a few days at their incredible sparkling winemaking immersion course, Camp Schramsberg, in 2010. So you might say I possess an affinity for their outstanding bubbly. It's elegant like French Champagne, remains family-owned and their quality is consistent like the sun setting.

Wine review: The best $5 bubbly you can buy — M. Chevallier Cava

Taylor Eason — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 16:33:50 +0000

I tasted the black label M. Chevallier Carte Noire Cava with trepidation and suppressed my high hopes, attempting to give it a fair and balanced assessment (which is tough without tasting blind). But I was pretty damn impressed. That was a few months ago. Now, it's my house pour on a Sunday morning, sometimes mixed with tangerine or orange juice for mimosas, sometimes straight up. It all depends on what kind of eggs we're having.

Wine review: Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Noirs Sparkling

Taylor Eason — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 16:15:42 +0000

Established in 1986 as the California home of Spain's Ferrer family (who own Freixenet), Gloria Ferrer embodies the winning result of a large gamble placed 29 years ago. Sure, the Ferrers likely had some money to burn, but to throw down cash to buy 160 acres of land in Sonoma County's unproven Carneros Valley takes some courage. However, they did have some experience in the bubbly arena.

The best, inexpensive summer sippin’ wine: Vinho Verde from Portugal

Taylor Eason — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 16:00:41 +0000

Not sure why but Vinho Verde doesn't get much respect from the sophisticates out there. The wine snobs, the "connoisseurs" or the collectors don't rave about the summer utility of this Portuguese white. Perhaps they prefer to limit their consumption of Portuguese choices to the venerated Port wine sector which overshadows Portugal's VVs. But this light, slightly spritzy and refreshing yet refreshingly affordable wine is just what the 90-100 degree weather and crappy economy demand right now.

Five refreshing white wines for spring and summer

Taylor Eason — Tue, 03 May 2011 14:25:07 +0000

Warmth is finally peeking out from underneath the underbelly of winter, escaping to where people wear shorts and sandals. When the mercury rises to this level, it's difficult to slurp red wine, so I recommend these five inexpensive white and sparkling wines that should quench the thirst tugging at your tongue.

Sparkling wine review: Sorelle Bronca Prosecco Brut (Veneto, Italy)

Taylor Eason — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 22:21:41 +0000

Used to be bubbles were out of reach for everyday drinking, but then quality Italian Prosecco came along. Like the Sorelle Bronca Prosecco that I tasted at a wine bar in Santa Rosa in Northern California. By the glass for $8. An absolute steal.

Sparkling wine review: Gran Pasion Brut Cava

Taylor Eason — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 16:07:25 +0000

Winemaker Paul Clear's first effort was Palarea 2005 Tinto, a red wine blend and the second, this Spanish Cava, made from a traditional blend of native Spanish grape varieties.

Sparkling wine review: Cristalino Brut Cava

Taylor Eason — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 19:16:54 +0000

Besides Segura Viudas Cava, this little $10 number is a favorite in the "cheap" sparkling wine category. Widely available too.

Sparkling wine review: Lucien Albrecht Cremant d’Alsace Brut

Taylor Eason — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 15:36:32 +0000

This French Crémant (crim-AUNT) hails from the Alsace region of France, where they aren't allowed to call their sparkling wines Champagne. This is kind of a good thing. Like Pinot Noir drinkers before Sideways released, people "in the know" can enjoy great Champagne-esque wine at lower prices.

Champagne taste, beer budget: The best bubbly for the buck

Taylor Eason — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 16:51:10 +0000

Tiny bubbles titillate. There's something mesmerizing about watching liquid confetti flood a tall, fluted glass. It's hard to describe, but "sensual" comes close. Inexpensive sparklers double the effect, with the added rush of bargainship completing the moment. And now, thanks to the growing popularity of bubblies in other countries and the recession, deals on quality juice are more prevalent.

Sparkling wine review: Domaine Carneros 2006 Brut Cuvee

Taylor Eason — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 15:01:53 +0000

As the American outpost of the famed French Champagne house Taittinger, vintage after vintage, Domaine Carneros the best way to drink Champagne-ish on a craft beer budget. Great value for the money.

Duval Leroy Rose Champagne Non Vintage

Taylor Eason — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 17:17:09 +0000

Yes, there's definitely something sensual, sexy and seductive about a glass of Champagne. And if it has a tint of salmon pink color to it, it give me chills like I'm about to enjoy well... you get the point. The result in this French bubbly yields red fruit on the tongue... tart red cherry, red apple and strawberries. Not sweet but zingy.

Wine review: Martini Prosecco DOC

Taylor Eason — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 15:59:13 +0000

Prosecco, the name of a perfumey grape as well as a lightly fizzy, refreshing sparkling wine from Italy, can be absolutely beautiful but also complete crap. Shopping by name or specific region is imperative and Martini and Rossi is always consistent (you might have heard of their sweet Asti Spumante? Not the same thing).

Five American red and white wines over $30 worth the price

Taylor Eason — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 19:30:38 +0000

Current reports say wine prices won't reach the offensive heights we've seen in the past ten years for quite a while, if ever again. Value is the new norm. Bad for the wineries who have enjoyed mega profits and success but good thing for us, right? Now, we can enjoy $60, $80, $100 for (almost) half price.Some highlights of red, white and sparkling wines I've enjoyed over the past few months.

Domaine Carneros 2005 Brut

Taylor Eason — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 16:14:59 +0000

Domaine Carneros is the California outpost of France's famed Taittinger Champagne house, located in a opulent chateau on the eastern side of Carneros in Napa Valley. In 2008, they received certifed organic status for their vineyards -- the first sparkling wine house to achieve that in America.

Zonin Prosecco

Taylor Eason — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 19:20:06 +0000

This season, behemoth Italian wine producer/importer Zonin has put a ton of money into promoting this Italian sparkling wine, driving its sales up and the public's awareness of a Champagne alternative. They tout the "Italian lifestyle" and educate us about Prosecco: How its made, the Prosecco grape, how it pairs with all sorts of food. Which is good, since it's true.

Roederer Estate Brut

Taylor Eason — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 15:07:50 +0000

Domestic sparkling wine worthy of the French.

Schramsberg 2006 Brut Blanc de Noirs

Taylor Eason — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 15:43:56 +0000

This domestic sparkling wine house simply has the crisp, minerally, bubbly thing down.

Domaine Ste. Michelle Brut

Taylor Eason — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 17:49:57 +0000

Ste Michelle Wine Estates in Washington has been a trailblazer for the industry in that formerly-floundering state. But these guys are the champions, the teachers and trailblazers for the small- to mid-sized wineries in eastern Washington.