Tag Archives: bubbly

Thirsty Thursday World Cup Wine: Berlucchi, Franciacorta, ’61 Brut Rosé

Posted on June 19, 2014 by waywardwine

Celebrate 2014’s already mad World Cup with bubbly. But not just any bubbly, Italy’s answer to Champagne: Franciacorta DOCG.

Betwixt Brescia and Lake Iseo, this designation tries to one up the French. Like Champagne, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are king (but with some Pinot Blanc and no Meunier). Like Champagne, each bottle undergoes secondary fermentation in cellars to fizz them up. 18 months are the minimum (compared to Champagne’s paltry 15, meanwhile Prosecco cuts corners in a massive tank). This bottle ferment means extra, integrated buzz and increased autolytic magic. Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Brescia, bubbly, Champagne, Daniele de Rossi, DDR, Fifa, Franciacorta, italy, Lake Iseo, pinot blanc, Pirlo, wine, World Cup, World Cup 2014 | 4 Comments

Ridgeview Merret Bloomsbury, Sussex 2009

Posted on June 11, 2012 by waywardwine

I plunk a bottle on the table. “English Quality Sparkling Wine” the label proclaims. No, that is not a euphemism for beer. It is Ridgeview’s hopeful claim to the crown of Champagne. Odd though it seems, across the Channel, Southern … Continue reading →

Posted in Chardonnay, EMPTIED BOTTLES, Sparkling | Tagged Belemnite, british wine, bubbly, Chalk, Champagne, Dom Pérignon, English Channel, Kenelm Digby, méthod ancestrale, Merrett, methode champenoise, Pinot meunier, pinot noir, Ridgeview, Sparkling wine, travel, White cliffs of Dover | Leave a comment

Chardonnay, Sevastopol Winery “Krimskoye” Semi-Sweet, “Premium Crimean White Champagne” NV

Posted on April 18, 2011 by waywardwine

Quietly poking into the US market, like an accidental cellphone call, is the sparkler from Sevastopol Winery. It comes from Crimea: today a sub-republic of Ukraine. This peninsula, provides a funny hat for the Black Sea. If the name Crimea … Continue reading →