Tasting Notes - January 6, 2007

Here are the group notes from the sparkling wine tasting... enjoy!

Flight One
Sofia Blanc de Blancs Brut 2005 - this was the official "clubbing champagne" with attributes appreciated only by the two true clubbers in the group. Described as sweet scented, fruity and smooth, this only-chardonnay grape sparkler costs a mere $19.99, so I say give it a break!

Iron Horse, Russian Cuvee, Brut 2001 - "dry as a popcorn fart" from one esteemed taster but "well balanced" from another. This more polarizing sparkler was deemed tart, dry, chardonnay-ish, and scentless by a variety of contributors. Not kind words for the $33.99 price.

Laurent: Perrier, Brut NV - this one gets the "most popular" vote from a very diverse crowd. Described as "dry, smooth, and what a sparkler should taste like," as well as "a little sweet for a brut," the group actually had a hard time defining why it liked this one. In the end, most concluded that it actually tasted like cheap champagne. Kind of... $32.99.

Schramsberg, Blanc de Noirs, Brut 2003 - only one member chose this one as the favorite, but comments were mild. Described as "smooth with a nice finish" and "typical champagne - yeasty, smokey and imbalanced," this sparkler concluded a flight to which most members said, "underwhelming." Cost for this final underwhelming sparkler is $29.99.

Flight Two - now we're talking
Bollinger, Special Cuvee, Brut, NV - No one picked this as their favorite, which is quite unusual for such a diverse group. Comments included "super-dry," "tasteless," and "lots of bubbles, but sour." This one gets the official thumbs down. Particularly at $49.99 (see, the clubbing Sofia would be better than this and you'd have some cash left over for the popcorn).

Roederer Estate, L'Ermitage, Brut 1999 - Two members chose this as their favorite, and one as their least favorite. Most concluded, however, that this sparkler got better after sitting for a bit (hmm - is that good in a champagne?). Comments included, "lots of flower, perfume, and aroma," as well as "tart." Cost for this late-bloomer is $47.99.

Veuve Cliquot Ponsardin, La Grande Dame, Brut 1996 - Does it get any better than the Grand Dame? Six members chose this one as tops. Not a one complained about it. And for $161, what did you expect? Comments included "creme brulee," "floral with nuts," and "scent very different from taste." This was the winner for the evening.

Tattinger, Prestige Rose, Brut NV - Reality hits. This one was a crowd pleaser for taste AND price. We voted this one in for the club "cellar." Comments included, "light, dough-bread scent," "balanced and not too perfumy," and "not quite as bubbly." At $68.99, the Tattinger is a wallet-wise rival to the Grand Dame.

By this point my handwriting was compromised, but I believe I captured the evening. Cheers!

Jen