Traditional wassails were—and still are, I suppose—seasonal hot drinks made with wine or beer, sugar, spices, eggs, and bits of toast floating on top. Today, we’re far more likely to find toasty, bready flavors in a more fashionable (and still seasonally appropriate) beverage: methode champenoise sparkling wine. How those characteristic
The nose is interesting, yeasty, with strawberries and smoke. On the palate the yeast shows well, like sourdough bread spread with strawberries and raspberries. Food-friendly, this would pair well with smoked trout. Highly Recommended (91). DH Who: Domaine Chandon What: Sparkling Rosé (48% Chardonnay, 44% Pinot Noir, 8% Pinot Meunier)
After touring the far reaches of the world of wine, over the first two days of the London International Wine Fair, it was time to turn to the local a bit. By which I mean, being in England and all, taking a look at English wine. I was very interested
One of the distinctive aspects of the London International Wine Fair, among major wine events in the world, is that it takes place in a country that is a great importer of wines, rather than a major producer like France or Italy, where Vinexpo and Vinitaly take place. For producers
In my experience, vins clairs tastings are a rare opportunity to catch a glimpse of the wine before the bubbles, and to imagine their development over time; they are a unique foray into the magical kingdom of champagne. Early in the life of a bottle of champagne, before bubbles have
In the world of marketing and sales, it's always good when you can keep things simple. Of course, this can be quite a challenge for an industry like the wine industry, where realities of place, grapes, vintages, styles, and terroir add up as so many variables to take into account—enough
Translucent magenta in color. The nose is shy and gives no hint of the candied fruit to come on the palate. The flavors started light, shy like the nose, with strawberries and cherries. On the mid-palate it opened up with loads of candied red fruits. Smoke from dosage with Pineau
Here in Champagne, one often says that champagne is first and foremost a wine. However the characteristics of this wine change significantly with the adding of the dosage (a mixture of base wine and cane sugar) at the time of disgorging. Today's most popular Champagne style is brut—which often contains 6 to 12
