last Friday some of the HWZ wine group had the monthly blind tasting dinner.
The theme was: Sparkling Wines Not From Champagne But Made With The Same Method
Champagne is legally called champagne for a number of reasons: varieties used, region it it grown and made and also the process in which it is made. I have written a post about this before but in short the method to make Champagne, otherwise know as Method Traditional or Méthode Champenoise, is used in many other sparkling wines across the world.
Many countries use the same grape and same method as Champagne but because the weather and soils are different, there will be some similarities but they also have their distinctiveness. Famous types of sparkling wine that use the same method include Cava (Spain) and Franciacorta (Italy).
These types of wine or new world wine makers make very good sparkling wines and are typically more affordable than the traditional Champagnes; with some at the same standard as a good Champagne.
They were served blind so we cannot see the labels. In order from R-L
1) 2008 JC Le Roux Scintilla, Stellenbosch, South Africa (70% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir) - Clean, light bodied and refreshing. A really good aperitif to start any meal. Available at African Market Place, $43
2) 2007 Stafano Lubiana Grande Vintage, Tasmania, Australia (60% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir) - Favourite of the night. Elegant apple notes and classic bready element with a mild oxidative note that indicates a bit of age. Available at Tiger Wines, $63
3) NV Vallformosa Cava Origen Semi Seco, Spain (Blend of classic Cava grapes: Macabeo, Xarel-lo and Parellada) - Very easy to drink with some sweetness and ripe peaches. Available at Wine Connection, $30
4) Villa Sandi Opere Millesimato, Veneto, Italy (Pinot Noir & Chardonnay) - Nice richness and rounded body on a lovely golden sparkling. Great for food pairing. Available at Bottles & Bottles
5) 2012 Ettore Germano Alta Langa, Piedmont, Italy (80% Pinot Noir & 20% Chardonnay) - Very crispy and precise in it's structure. Dry style of sparkling with very nice pure flavours. It would pair with a vast array of food. Not available in SG
6) 2002 Domaine Huet Vouvray Petillant, Loire, France (100% Chenin Blanc) - Made by one of the best producers in the Loire valley, this was brilliant golden colour. It tasted like a mix of both an aged white wine with oxidative notes and yet still have a very fresh yellow fruit flavour. A rather powerful sparkling. Not available in SG.
All of them tasted quite different. Some closer to a classic Champagne while others tasted unique in it's own way. They will naturally taste different due to the different soils and climates; what is important is that they still highlight the characteristics of the grapes and of where they are grown.
I highly encourage you to seek out non-champagne sparkling wines as they do not break the bank and yet the good ones taste good and bring deliciousness to any celebration.
*ProTip: Drink your sparkling wines from a white wine glass; NOT a flute. Find out why here: Experts speak out against flutes
The theme was: Sparkling Wines Not From Champagne But Made With The Same Method
Champagne is legally called champagne for a number of reasons: varieties used, region it it grown and made and also the process in which it is made. I have written a post about this before but in short the method to make Champagne, otherwise know as Method Traditional or Méthode Champenoise, is used in many other sparkling wines across the world.
Many countries use the same grape and same method as Champagne but because the weather and soils are different, there will be some similarities but they also have their distinctiveness. Famous types of sparkling wine that use the same method include Cava (Spain) and Franciacorta (Italy).
These types of wine or new world wine makers make very good sparkling wines and are typically more affordable than the traditional Champagnes; with some at the same standard as a good Champagne.
Find out how Sparkling Wine it's made here:
http://winefolly.com/review/how-sparkling-wine-is-made/
These were the wines we had that night.
http://winefolly.com/review/how-sparkling-wine-is-made/
These were the wines we had that night.
They were served blind so we cannot see the labels. In order from R-L
1) 2008 JC Le Roux Scintilla, Stellenbosch, South Africa (70% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir) - Clean, light bodied and refreshing. A really good aperitif to start any meal. Available at African Market Place, $43
2) 2007 Stafano Lubiana Grande Vintage, Tasmania, Australia (60% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir) - Favourite of the night. Elegant apple notes and classic bready element with a mild oxidative note that indicates a bit of age. Available at Tiger Wines, $63
3) NV Vallformosa Cava Origen Semi Seco, Spain (Blend of classic Cava grapes: Macabeo, Xarel-lo and Parellada) - Very easy to drink with some sweetness and ripe peaches. Available at Wine Connection, $30
4) Villa Sandi Opere Millesimato, Veneto, Italy (Pinot Noir & Chardonnay) - Nice richness and rounded body on a lovely golden sparkling. Great for food pairing. Available at Bottles & Bottles
5) 2012 Ettore Germano Alta Langa, Piedmont, Italy (80% Pinot Noir & 20% Chardonnay) - Very crispy and precise in it's structure. Dry style of sparkling with very nice pure flavours. It would pair with a vast array of food. Not available in SG
6) 2002 Domaine Huet Vouvray Petillant, Loire, France (100% Chenin Blanc) - Made by one of the best producers in the Loire valley, this was brilliant golden colour. It tasted like a mix of both an aged white wine with oxidative notes and yet still have a very fresh yellow fruit flavour. A rather powerful sparkling. Not available in SG.
All of them tasted quite different. Some closer to a classic Champagne while others tasted unique in it's own way. They will naturally taste different due to the different soils and climates; what is important is that they still highlight the characteristics of the grapes and of where they are grown.
I highly encourage you to seek out non-champagne sparkling wines as they do not break the bank and yet the good ones taste good and bring deliciousness to any celebration.
*ProTip: Drink your sparkling wines from a white wine glass; NOT a flute. Find out why here: Experts speak out against flutes
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have u tried other SB in the past?
?