CHAMPAGNE GOES WITH ANYTHING!

Sparkling Wines – What are they?

Americans unashamedly call their bubbling wines "champagne" and have done so since 1891, when the Treaty of Madrid was signed. The treaty declared that only wines made in a particular region could use the name Champagne on the bottle. In 1919, the Treaty of Versailles, the peace agreement ending World War I, reaffirmed that rule.

The U.S. never signed the Treaty of Versailles, but rather had a separate peace agreement with Germany.  That agreement did not include regulations regarding spirits.  The U.S. was in the midst of Prohibition in 1919 so why would you need rules dealing with alcohol, since liquor was banned in the U.S.?

Long after prohibition was lifted, some vintners in the U.S. took advantage of the loophole and bottled American Champagne.

Similar drinks from California to Massachusetts, and the rest of the world should be called "sparkling wines".

This ruling is also why you’ll see bottles of Burgundy, or Chablis or other French regions.

Many French Champagne houses also operate American vineyards.  For example, Domaine Chandon is owned by the French house Moët & Chandon, makers of Dom Pérignon.  Taittinger has a California sparkling wine under the name Domaine Carneros.

On their labels, these American sparkling wines note that they use the traditional method of producing Champagne called Méthode Champenoise, but are careful not to call the American product Champagne.  Méthode Champenoise requires two fermentations.

Sparkling wine is called "Spumanti" in Italy and “vin mousseux in other regions of France.

Spain calls its wine of this type Cava, or Cellar.  South Africa uses the term Cap Classique or Cape Classic.

Germany has Sekt and usually contains less alcohol than its French cousin.

Champagne’s signature bubbles were included by accident.  Back in the 1700s, wine was supposed to be flat, like most wine today.  Bubbles were an error in the process, and the monk Dom Pérignon worked hard to remove them.  Instead, he found methods of bleeding and clarifying the drink, and soon it was sought after by French aristocracy.  The rest is history.

Champagne is stored for drinking just like any other wine – around 55F, in a dark, damp location, stored on its side to keep the cork from drying out.  Champagne should be served about 45 degrees.  A few hours in the refrigerator should bring the temperature down.  It is best not to store any wine for more than a few days at the colder temperature. 

Serve your Champagne in a tall, narrow-necked glass called a flute.  Do not use wide-brimmed glasses as they will cause the Champagne to loose bubbles and flavor.

There are different styles of Champagne:

BRUTE is the driest and the standard.
Food pairings: Rich seafood, caviar, some fowl. Not good for spicy foods.

EXTRA DRY is less dry that Brute.
Food pairings: Lighter spiced foods, tomato based foods and caviar.

SEC is sweet.
Food Pairings: Medium spiced foods, including tomato based foods.

DEMI SEC is even sweeter.
Food pairings: Spiciest foods, seafood and desserts. Can also be served before or after a meal.

Rosé
Food pairings:  Can be served with medium spiced foods and any meat.  Good with beef or wild game.

Other Champagne terms:

Blanc de Blanc – is white wine from white grapes.

Blanc de Noirs - is white wine from black or dark grapes.  The white color is achieved by pressing the dark skinned fruit and not allowing the skins to come in contact with the juice thus not imparting any color.

Rosé -  is Champagne that has been allowed to come in contact with skins for a short period of time to get a little more flavor and depth.  Another way to achieve the rose color is to add a small amount of red wine, often Pinot Noir, to the wine before final fermentation.  Do not confuse Rosé Champagne for a less expensive drink.  It is a well controlled process and is highly prized.

Vintage bottles are, like most wines, from a single years worth of grapes.  There are instances where more than one years wine may be present, but it is in small quantities.

Unlabeled on non-vintage bottles are from a blend of more than one year.

Iron Horse Vineyards
www.ironhorsevineyards.com

Iron Horse has a most beautiful setting for their tastings.  It is a long wood plank sitting on wine barrels outside of the winery.  You overlook the valley and can see the birds in full flight over the vineyard.  On a cool morning there is a fog covering the valley that makes for a wonderful experience.

2001 Wedding Cuvee (Blanc de Noirs) – Sparkling wine is $30.  It was created for the wedding of Joy Sterling of Iron Horse.  It is a fabulous gift for someone getting married or for a wedding anniversary.

1998 Brut Rosé - – Sparkling Wine is excellent for $30.

Domaine
www.domaine.com

It is a beautiful sight sitting on the balcony over looking the Carneros Valley on a cool autumn day.  The day we were there is was 5PM and the cool air was coming up the valley.  A glass of Champagne, my Bride and a few friends; it doesn’t get any better than that.

2000 Brut Cuvee Sparkling Wine a value at $24.

1997 Le Rêve Blanc de Blanc Sparking Wine, more luxurious at $55.

Gloria Ferrer
www.gloriaferrer.com

While at the winery in November 2004 we sampled the Gloria Ferrer 1998 Late-Disgorged ETS. At $45 it is a real bargain.  It has maintained its character very well. (Winery purchase only).

Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Noirs at $18 is a very good choice.

For those with a bit more to spend:
1996 Dom Pérignon Champagne at $110 or more.

If you want to show someone how much you really care:
Brut Champagne, Roederer, “Cristal”, 1996/1997 for a mere $250.

Many of the wines are available through normal distribution and can also be ordered from the respective winery.  Depending on your States regulations, most wineries will ship to you.