Here are the following I showed:
Vouvray Brut Nv, Sylvain Gaudron
Graham Beck Brut NV
Henners 2009
Fausto Brut NV
Michelle Brut NV
First of all, let's talk about the Bubble's history!
Effervescence has been observed in wine throughout history. Greek and Roman were writing about it and try to find an explanation of those bubbles into there wines.
Bubbles into wine was noticed, in Champagne, since the MIddle age, but was considered fault. Compare to other region from France such as Limoux who was very happy of the discovery they had on their wines..
Dom Perignon was originally asked to find a solution of how to get rid of the bubbles since the bubbles were causing many of their bottles to burst..
The glass production for the bottles were not strong enough and durable.. It is the ENglish who found a way to make the glass stronger, to re-use the corks stopper forgotten so long ago. In 1662, Christopher Merret presented a document explaining ,in detail, the presence of bubbles in the wine. The reason of the bubble was the fact of adding sugar to a wine before bottling.
NV Vouvray Brut, Sylvain Gaudron
It comes from Loire Valley in France. It is made with 100% Chenin Blanc.
The domain has been family-owned since 1890.
The vines used are between 5 to 25 years old. After the harvest the grapes are all pressed in a basket press, with no added fermented yeast and no touch of oak. It has been bottled and left on the lees for 12 months and left to age in their cellar dating from the 15Th Century.
It has very delicate bubbles, you can barely see them.. The nose is nicely open, apple, pear, honey and floral note comes through. On the palate the attack is very gentle. The biscuit note come first to finish with a nice minerality.
Graham Beck Brut NV
Mr Graham Beck bought the land in Robertson, Mabeda in 1983. It is made of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
After the harvest the two grape varieties are pressed and fermented separately. They are crossed blend along with reserve wine if necessary, bottled and left for 15 to 18 month in yeasts contact before disgorgement. On the nose it has citrusy note with a little brioche note. The palate has a very elegant attack with a rich creamy finish.
This sparkling is, for me, as good as Champagne. It has been used for Mandela's inauguration and Barack Obama's presidential win.
Henners 2009 Vintage
English sparkling has the particularity of having the same soil as Champagne and Loire Valley (Dover cliff) which is high in clay and limestone.
Henners derive from the French ancestry Henners Dubois, who has to flee from France during the French Revolution. He, then moved to London and start a new life. He fell in love with the daughter of English churchman and decide to never let her go.
It is a young vineyard, planted in 2007 and owned by Lawrence Warr. Made in Herstmonceux in East-Sussex.
56% Pinot Noir & 44% Pinot Meunier, it is pressed and fermented separately and left on the lees for at least 36 months., They, then kept the wine 5 months after disgorgement.
It has on the nose a beautiful minerality, flintiness with some raspberry. The mouth is dry and lively with those gorgeous note of raspberry.
Fausto de Pizzato NV
Brazil is not known for they wine, or starting not that long ago to export in Europe. The main region of production is Serra Gaucha, meaning Hill of the Farmers. It is situated in the South of Brazil where the climate is much cooler than the Centre and North of Brazil.
The Pizzato family has been cultivating vines for over 100 years. It is the grandson, Plinio Pizzato who founded the Pizzato WInery..
The grapes are harvested in early January by hand. Made with 90% Chardonnay and 10% Pinot Noir.
It is pressed separately and fermented in stainless steel It is then selected for assemblage and bottled, yeast and sugar were added to initiate the second fermentation. Matured around 5 month sure latte before manual disgorgement. The wine bottled will stay 5 month before being released
The nose is very pleasant with a nice minerality white fruit such as apple and white plume (mirabelle), the mouth is refreshing, mineral with the same fruit nose than the mouth with a very pleasing finish.
Michelle NV Sparkling, Domain Ste Michelle
it is coming from United States in Washington States. Made of 63% Chardonnay, 18% Pinot Gris & 19% Pinot Noir.
It is pressed and fermented separately, then blended very carefully to find the right flavour. It is bottled and add the liqueur the tirage which prepared the wine for the second fermentation. It was age sur-lie for up to 18 months and then added the sweet liquid dosage.
It has a delicate flavours of apple and citrus with an under tone of almond.. The mouth is dry with a surprisingly sweet finish.
It is a nice Sparkling the Pinot Gris grape brings unusual fruit flavour.
Not my cup of tea, to be honest. But this sparkling will find its love.
It was a very nice and interesting tasting, as it is now our days so difficult to find a good sparkling at reasonable price. This is why sometime I see loads of people choosing Champagne to have the assurance of quality. But you can have bad Champagne and it is worth to try and explore the world of sparkling!!!