Sunday, August 20, 2006

Gruet -- Blanc de Noirs, NV


After a recent post about Blanquette de Limoux, a good friend of mine, Suzy, suggested I try a sparkling wine, Gruet, from the state where she lives, New Mexico. So I was delighted to find Gruet's Blanc de Noirs when I was shopping at Balducci's in Alexandria recently.

Made in the traditional methode champenoise, this is a remarkably refined sparkling wine. It has the tiny persistent bubbles that characterize very good bubblies. It also has that attractive toasty flavor with red berry notes -- something between strawberries and raspberries. Its color is typical of blanc de noirs. Made mostly with Pinot Noir, this wine has a dark straw color with a suggestion that, if it blushed a little more, it would become pink -- in the sparkling wine world, people talk about salmon!

This is an exceptionally nice sparkling wine at a very fair price (about $15.00). A highly recommended low-priced alternative to Champagne!

Thank you, Suzy, for such a wonderful suggestion!

3 comments:

snap! said...

I'm glad you found it out there! I think we're very spoiled right now, it's available everywhere in Albuquerque, usually at about $11...

Washington Cube said...

Great recommendation. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

Nice write-up, thought you describe the wine accurately and thoroughly.

This Gruet Blanc de Noirs is a very nice glass of sparkling wine. Along with the Cava from Spain, very reasonable priced.

Thanks for blogging, I visited your site more often.

- charlie in Buffalo, NY