Breathless Wines will host the inaugural Breathless World Champagne Showdown Saturday, October 28, 3-5pm, in tribute to World Champagne Day.
Official judges and esteemed guests are invited to a blind tasting of French Champagnes vs. Breathless Sparkling Wine to pick their favorites. In addition to the blind champagne tasting, guests will be treated to fascinating champagne history, varietal insights, and tasting notes from the panel of experts, including:
Sharon Cohn, Sister 1-of-3 Breathless Wines
Sarah Doyle, Wine Reporter at The Press Democrat
Heather Irwin, Professional food and wine writer in Northern California’s Wine Country
Chris Sawyer, Renowned sommelier, wine educator, journalist, critic, and public speaker
Ever get an hankering to sparkle? Well then join THE VARIETAL SHOW at Be Bubbly with proprietor Erin Riley! This lounge is a true 2020 success story, located in Napa’s historic downtown district. Together we share a bottle of 2018 Michel Gonet, Blanc De Noir, and discuss what is great about sparkling wine, what varietals make it delicious and what is a perfect palate match.
Plan your visit to this exclusive bubbly bar, with an assortment of champagne, sparking and appetizers to pair, that has an assortment of clever activities and music all week long!
LIKE, SHARE & FOLLOW my You Tube channel, for notification about upcoming episodes, most Tuesdays @12:30pm!
Happy New Year! Here is a list of sparkling wines to consider as your celebrations continue throughout 2022, derived from my radio chat with Kim McCallister on KGO 810 AM a few weeks back. CHEERS! Christopher
KGO Exclusive: SawyerSomm’s Sophisticated Sparkling Wine
Picks for the New Year, Valentine’s Day & beyond!
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BRUTS
The classic style of sparkling wines crafted with Chardonnay,
Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes, using the traditional methode
champenoise techniques in the cellar.
Veuve Clicquot 2008 La Grande Dame Brut, Champagne – $190
Pairings Tips: Raw oysters; chips with creamy dips; brie and young
cheeses; gourmet soups and salads; fresh seafood, sushi; spicy pasta
dishes; chicken, pork, and stews.
Delicious way to create smiles and open up the palates at great gatherings.
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BLANC DE BLANCS
In
French, the fanciful term blanc de blancs literally means ‘white of
whites’. In France’s famous region of Champagne and top winegrowing regions in
Northern California, it refers to sophisticated sparkling wines that are made
exclusively with high-quality Chardonnay grapes.
SawyerSomm
Picks (local & imports):
Idle Hour NV Blanc de Blancs, Clements Hills – $38
Michel Turgy NV Les Mesnil Reserve Brut Blanc de Blancs, Champagne, France – $60
Ruinart NV Blanc de Blancs, Champagne, France – $90
Pairings Tips: Oyster with shallot-bases mignonette; rich, earthy
cheeses; appetizers with tangy aioli; creamy soups or seasonal bisques; fresh
Dungeness crab; pasta dishes with wild mushrooms; grilled fish; roasted
chicken; pork stew; grilled meats.
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BRUT ROSES
As the flavorful counterpoint to blanc de blancs. The French term blanc de noirs means ‘white of blacks’, referring to elegant sparkling wines with translucent white or slightly pink hues made exclusively with the black-skinned grapes Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. These special grape varieties are also used to craft styles of Brut Roses.
SawyerSomm
Picks (local & imports):
Paula Kornell 2018 Blanc de Noirs, Napa Valley – $50
Domaine Carneros 2018 Brut Rose, Cuvee de la Pompadour, Carneros – $45
