2005 Pierre Gimonnet Cuvée Oenophile Extra Brut Caroline Henry February 1, 2012 Tasting Notes Golden with a delicate mousse. Mineral nose with a hint of fresh almonds. Complex, intense champagne, with lots of citrus (grapefruit, Meyer lemon, tangerine) flavors. Long pastry finish.
NV Paul Goerg Absolu Extra Brut Caroline Henry February 1, 2012 Tasting Notes 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.
NV Tarlant Brut Zero Rosé Caroline Henry February 1, 2012 Tasting Notes 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.
NV Tarlant Brut Zero Caroline Henry February 1, 2012 Tasting Notes 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.
2002 Perle d’Ayala Nature Caroline Henry February 1, 2012 Tasting Notes 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.
NV Ayala Cuvée Rosé Nature Caroline Henry February 1, 2012 Tasting Notes 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.
NV Ayala Brut Nature Caroline Henry February 1, 2012 Tasting Notes 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.
Franciacorta: High Standards for High Quality Bubbly W. Blake Gray December 25, 2011 FCG, Features, W. Blake Gray 4 Comments Franciacorta has the most demanding standards for any sparkling wine region in the world. They're a substitute for tradition, because the Italian region has been in the bubbles business for only 50 years, which is nothing in Europe.
