Tag Archives: pinot blanc

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

Thirsty Thursday: Hugel, Gentil, Alsace, France 2012

Posted on April 10, 2014 by waywardwine

Bordering Germany lays Alsace.

In 75 years, Germans and French swapped the region four times. The wines share this borderland mentality where Francophone varieties like Pinot Gris, Blanc, and Noir touch vineyards of Gewürztraminer, Riesling, and Sylvaner. What better introduction to this melting pot than a blend, the only blend from one of Alsace’s largest, but oldest (1639!) and most respected producers: Hugel et Fils. Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged 2012, Alsace France, Gentil, Gewürztraminer, Hugel, pinot blanc, Pinot Gris, pinot noir, riesling, Sylvaner, Thirsty Thursday | 4 Comments

Chateau Frank, Blanc de Blancs, Finger Lakes, NY 2006

Posted on February 3, 2011 by waywardwine

New York sparkling wine might sound oximoronic. But some of the best places for bubbly are cold and miserable. Take the region of Champagne, for example. It sits around latitude 49. The average temperature is 50. The Finger Lakes are … Continue reading →