Pale yellow color. Delicate white blossom and mineral (iodine) nose. Quite linear champagne, almost flinty on the palate, some citrus notes and a lingering saline finish. Pair with sashimi. WHO: Paul Goerg WHAT: Champagne WHERE: Vertus, Champagne, France WHEN: NV disgorged in 2011 HOW MUCH: around $50 (media sample)
Bright coral pink champagne, with red currant and Florida grapefruit on the nose. Very smooth and rounded champagne, with flavors of red currant and pomegranate, a hint of ripe red apple and a lingering rounded finish. Pair with a red fruit dessert. WHO: Tarlant WHAT: Champagne WHERE: Oeuilly, Champagne, France
Light golden color with small elegant bubbles. Tangerine, acacia honey and apple blossom on the nose. Crisp and zesty champagne with flavors of Meyer lemon, a little brioche and iodine. A hint of tangerine in the lingering finish. Pair with oysters or drink as an aperitif. WHO: Tarlant WHAT: Champagne
Golden in color with very fine bubbles. Grapefruit, Meyer lemon and a white nectarine on the nose. Delicate yet vibrant wine with flavors of ripe Meyer lemon, kumquat and tarte tatin. Some vanilla notes in the long finish. Pair with lobster thermidor. WHO: Ayala WHAT: Champagne WHERE: Ay, Champagne, France
Lovely salmon color and fine mousse. Strawberries and ripe raspberries and some brioche on the nose. Crisp with great weight. Flavors of ripe red fruit (strawberries, raspberries) and warm brioche, great minerality in the finish leave the palate very clean. Pair with fresh salmon. WHO: Ayala WHAT: Champagne WHERE: Ay,
Light yellow in color. Meyer lemon and apply nose; elegant champagne, with flavors of quince, red apple and Meyer lemon. A little brioche and great mineral notes in the longish finish. Drink as an aperitif or pair with grilled scallops. WHO: Ayala WHAT: Champagne WHERE: Ay, Champagne, France WHEN: NV
South of downtown Seattle, Washington in the warehouse district, you'll find a new kind of wine bar ... one that literally brings the wineries to you. URBAN enoteca, just celebrating its first anniversary in December, is a 22,000-square-foot "full Washington wine experience and entertainment destination" that features six different boutique
A champagne-style sparkling wine, made in the traditional method in the Cava region of Spain. When first poured, amidst some caramel-toffee there’s a faint pear note in the aroma. Pear flavors deepen on the palate while the wine is very cold, with a mild, round, fruitiness. There’s little apparent acidity