Sparkling Wine Showdown - Whole Bunch Wines Tasting
On October 4th, you helped us sample some of the world's finest sparkling wines, made in the style of Champagne. They were some real corkers! We all love Champagne, but you can find wines of a similar style from all corners of the globe. Take a look at the journey we took through the exciting world of fizz.
Whole Bunch Wines is always hosting THE BEST tastings, so make sure you see what's coming up right here.
What Is The Champagne Method?
The Champagne Method, also referred to as the 'Traditional Method' is a style of sparkling wine making which is synonymous with the Champagne region. With any sparkling wine, a still wine undergoes a secondary fermentation process which traps Carbon Dioxide in the bottle which creates that celebratory effervescence.
With Champagne, and other sparkling wines produced via the same method, a still base wine is added to a bottle before it has completed fermenting. Here, it continues to ferment in the bottle which creates the classic fizz. Next, the bottle is turned upside down and allowed to rest with a sediment of dead yeast cells known as lees.
This may sound somewhat off-putting but it is a crucial aspect of the process. As the cells break down, in a process known as autolysis, they add texture and body to the final product. However, they also impart unmistakable notes of bread, brioche, toast, biscuits, and nuts (to name a few).
Following this, the top of the liquid is frozen to capture the remaining lees, before the cork is unceremoniously ejected from the bottle in a process known as disgorgement. Finally, the wine is topped up with a final sweeter wine to determine the sugar levels of your finished sparkling wine. The fancy name for this is the 'liqueur d'expédition', or you can also call it the dosage.
Wines produced in Champagne will all go through oak ageing and it is also widely practiced across the world when producing wines of this style.
The end result is a rich, but fresh and acidic creation, that has layers and layers of complexity and a true intensity of flavour. They are some of the most revered wines in the world, and with good reason.
Sparkling Wine Showdown - Whole Bunch Wines Tasting - The Line Up
We had some real corkers, (pardon the pun). Let's take a look at what featured in this Whole Bunch Wines Tasting.
Rathfinny Classic Cuvée NV
An icon of English sparkling wine that truly gives Champagne a run for it's money. It uses the three classic Champagne grapes, (Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay), to create a rich and complex sparkling wine with powerful notes of red apple, lemon meringue and red berries.
Champagne Sophie Baron Grand Reserve Brut
Sophie Baron Champagne comes from a family run property in Charly-sur-Marne. It is aged on its lees for three years and has a balanced dosage of 10g/l residual sugar. 60% Meunier , 30% Chardonnay, 10% Pinot Noir. A decadent delight that delivers exactly what you want from fine French fizz.
Raventós i Blanc Textures de Pedra Blanc de Noirs
Now we move to Catalonia. This area, and indeed this producer, are at the forefront of Cava production. Cava is also produced via the Champagne method. This offering deviates from the classic Champagne grapes though. Instead, it uses Xarel'lo Vermell, Bastard Negre and Sumoll. However, once again - it is rich and powerful with a more pronounced flavours of black and red fruits, due to the Blanc de Noirs style.
Bellavista Alma Gran Cuvée Brut NV
Franciacorta is the Italian answer to Champagne. This speciality of the Lombardy region. The wine delivers a lively and persistent mousse which emits perfumed aromas of white flowers and vanilla, which melt into stone fruit and citrus notes on the palate.
Sparklehorse Ken Forrester Wines
Next, we have a Methode Cap Classique. This is the South African variation of traditional method sparkling wine. As it is South African, you shouldn't be surprised that it is 100% Chenin Blanc. Yet, still wonderfully similar to other sparkling wines from this tasting. Rich, powerful and crisp, with a long and lingering finish that will last you until next week.
Peller Ice Cuvée Sparkling Gift Box
We are off to North America, but it is a Canadian wine which we are highlighting. It is a Chardonnay and Pinot Noir blend which is packed with notes of green apple, pear and lemon and just a hint of sweetness to balance the tart fruit flavours.
House of Arras A By Arras Premium Cuvée
We will round off this all-star lineup with an offering from Australia. More specifically, Tasmania. Tasmania's cooling maritime climate, with great variations of altitude, help provide a perfect location for sparkling wine. Much of Australia would be too hot, but these factors help to mitigate this and preserve the wines acidity. A straw yellow colour with a complex array of aromas and flavours. These include nougat, spices, mushroom, butter, tropical fruits and yoghurt to name but a few. It also has a distinct salinity.
Don't Miss Out!
Make sure to check out our wine tastings and monthly wine club, if you want to try great wines like the ones mentioned in this blog post. Links below:
- Manchester Wine Tastings and Events
- Sauce Subscription (Monthly Wine Club)