Sparkling Wine Month: Sparkling Sampler Case

Originally published on July 24, 2009.

Sparkling Month will be wrapping up soon (we would say it’s going out with a bang, but that would be far too cheesy even for us.) We’ve had sparkling tastings twice each week, two different sparkling 3-Packs, and in true better-late-than-never fashion, we’ve finally managed to post our Sparkling Wine Sampler Case.

You’ll get 12 bottles of bubbly for just $200, including one bottle of actual Champagne from Champagne. In the realm of bubbles, this is a tremendous deal – about 15% off the individual bottle costs. It’s a great way to expand your sparkling wine horizones. Gather up some friends, split the case cost, pop the works – and drink…we mean taste, taste!

Here’s what you get:

2 BOTTLES EACH OF:

Althea Prosecco di Valdobbiadene NV (Veneto, Italy): Produced in the tank method, most Proseccos are lighter and fresher than their Champagne cousins. This was is our favorite – it’s elegant, fresh, and has the tiniest bubbles we’ve yet to come across in a Prosecco. (Regular Price: $15.99)

Lucien Albrecht Cremant d’Alsace Blanc de Blancs NV (Alsace, France): An excellent value in sparkling wine. A touch rounder than Champagne, with notes of pears and apples and just a hint of yeastiness. (Regular price: $17.99)

Cantina Del Taburno Falanghina Spumante NV (Campanga, Italy): Falanghina is a white grape indigenous to southern Italy, usually used in the production of non-bubbly wine. A sparkling version is a rare treat. A bit more full-bodied than Prosecco, it has a lemon-zesty finish and the tell-tale smoky notes of a good Falanghina. (Regular Price: $18.99)

1 BOTTLE EACH OF:

Medici Ermete Solo Lambrusco NV (Reggiano, Italy): Sparkling red…don’t be scared! Jammy, inky, with dark berry fruits and just a bit of fizz. It finishes dry and isn’t at all cloying or heavy. Perfect with cured meats, salty cheeses and it makes a pizza dinner something special. (Regular Price: $14.99)

Jean-Marc Villemaine Touraine Sparkling NV Rosé (Touraine, Loire Valley, France): It’s rare to see Pineau d’Aunis in a starring role – it’s generally used as a blending grape and rarely mentioned on a label. But this dry rosé, with its subtle berry fruit and hint of spice on the finish, is a nice exception to the rule. (Regular Price: $15.99)

Francois Pinon Vouvray NV Brut (Vouvray, Loire, France): A gorgeous sparkler from the Vouvray sub-region of the Loire Valley. It’s dry, but has just a touch of the honey notes you’ll sometimes get from Chenin Blanc. It’s a bottle of yeasty, creamy, honey-ed goodness. (Regular Price: $18.99)

Lingot Martin Cerdon-Bugey NV Rosé: Lightly pink, slightly sweet, but not at all cloying, this Cerdon is the definition of charming. It’s from a region of France that sits near the base of the Alps, it shows off delicate berry flavors and a hint of Alpine freshness. Excellent with cupcakes. (Regular Price: $19.99)

J Vineyards Cuveé 20 NV (Russian River, California): About as close to Champagne as you can get…without actually buying Champagne. Same grapes. Same production method. But from California, so overall it’s rounder and softer, but it has a similar mix of citrus and apple fruits combined with a rich toasty, yeasty note. Regular Price: $25.99)

Philippe Prie Brut NV (Champagne, France): Real Champagne is never cheap. It’s never even “inexpensive.” But there are good values out there and Philippe Prié is one of them. Stone fruits, citrus, minerals and a biscuit-y note combine with crisp acidity – it fits nicely into the “elegant” style of Champagne. (Regular Price: $35.99)