Sparkletown (won't you take me to....")

Sparkletown (won't you take me to....")

Raise a glass of sparkling wine to the end of the year 2021! Join City Vino this week, as we feature four sparkling wines that can take you to Sparkletown. Sing along with us to wine-altered lyrics to the Lipps Inc song from 1979, “Won’t you take me to Sparkletown, Won’t you take me to Sparkletown?”

Sparkletown presents the non-vintage Rebuli Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Superiore di Cartizze DOCG, from Veneto, in Italy. This sparkling wine is made from the Glera grape, which used to be called Prosecco, itself, which caused great confusion between the grape and the region. The wine was made in the “cuve close” or “autoclave” method, which means that a base wine is made (regular table wine), and then put in a pressurized tank with grape juice and yeast. The second fermentation happens in the tank, and the carbon dioxide produced by fermentation has nowhere to go so it is trapped in solution, which is the wine. The beads of bubbles (perlage) that appear in your glass reaching for the sky are fine and persistent, which usually indicates a good quality sparkling wine. The color of the wine is a clear straw color, indicative of the Glera grape. Aromas and flavors are of fresh apple, white blossoms, bread crust, orange, and some exotic fruit notes.

Next, Sparkletown shows the non-vintage Elisabetta Abrami Brut Rosé, from the Franciacorta DOCG, in Italy. While the Elisabetta Abrami is another sparkling wine from Italy, like the Rebuli, the two are quite different. Wines from Franciacorta are considered the Italian versions of Champagne. This rosé is made from two the traditional Champagne grapes and is a blend of 70 percent Pinot Noir and 30 percent Chardonnay. Like Champagne, Franciacorta wines have their second fermentation in individual bottles. This lovely rosé has the color of onion skin, or a pale salmon hue. Aromas of orange blossoms, pomegranates, strawberries, sour cherries, lemon, toast, and yeast may appear.  On the palate, the wine may show flavors of green apple, pear, citrus, toasted almonds, and cream. This wine has a nice medium body, high acidity, and a long finish.

And now Sparkletown moves onto the Champagnes! Let us present the non-vintage Bernard Lonclas Selection Brut, from Champagne, in France. The wine is 50 percent Pinot Meunier, 30 percent Chardonnay, and 20 percent Pinot Noir. As for the grapes, the driver of the fruitiness is the Pinot Meunier, the crispness comes from the Chardonnay, and the vinosity (characteristic body, flavor, and color) comes from the Pinot Noir. The wine is a beautiful straw color, with glints of gold. On the nose, there is green apple, lemon, and small white flowers. The palate shows apple, pear, lemon, lime, strawberry, and melon. Additional flavors include cider, toast, and cream. The bright acidity leads the way.

Our second Champagne, and final sparkling wine of Sparkletown, is the non-vintage Bauget Jouette Carte Blanche, which is 60 percent Chardonnay, 30 percentPinot Meunier, and 10 percent Pinot Noir. This sparkler has notes of fresh-picked apple, grapefruit, plums, and hazelnuts on the nose.nThe palate is full-bodied with liveliness, and agrees with the fruity notes on the nose. The wine finishes with hints of honey.

There are many beautiful pairings for wines from Sparkletown. Classical pairings are oysters, shellfish, fried chicken, and potato chips. Never be afraid to pair sparkling wine with steak, as the lively acidity will help cleanse your palate of the fattiness of the meat. Sparkling wine is one that goes with so many diverse flavors and textures of food that it tends to be a safe bet when pairing.

We hope you enjoyed our little journey to Sparkletown to end your year and usher in the new one. Sparkling wines are perfect for celebrations from the opening of the bottle to the tickle of the bubbles on your nose to the brightness in your mouth. Remember the celebration can be that you decided to open a bottle of sparkling itself.

Wishing you a sparkling end to 2021 and health and happiness in 2022. Cheers!

 

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