Disclaimer: Yes, I am using the word Champagne in place of Sparkling Wine in this article. I’m not snubbing my nose to the French, in fact I prefer starting with French Champagne. However, when tasting in most parts of the country, you’ll be drinking Sparkling Wine (with one of the exceptions being Korbel), which is in essence the same, minus the naming rules. Much like Kleenex and Xerox are half-generic terms (their lawyers would like to think otherwise), such is the case with Champagne in this article. If you do have any peeves with my usage, please feel free to e-mail me at haydn@beyondnapavalley.com. Thank you, Haydn.

If you’ve read any of my privous articles along with my Do’s and Don’t when wine tasting, you’ve probably noticed that I’ve told you what not to do before you start wine tasting more times than what to do. Well, I’m trying to tip the scales back—here’s a new one.

Reason #1: Everyone likes Champagne

Let’s face it, wine tasting is romantic. It’s an affordable luxury. When one mentions wine tasting, you can’t help but conjure up images of a Chateau of France or a villa in Tuscany. And who hasn’t turned down a glass of the bubbles when celebrating some special occasion; whether it be an engagement or the adoption of a pet rock. The look of the flutes with the small (hopefully small) bubbles running up the sides along with the crispness of the cool liquid can easily make a bad day turn great. I’ve yet to finish a glass of Champagne and frown.

Reason #2: It cleanses the palate

Aside from the feeling it brings you, Champagne cleanses the palate and gets those taste buds in order. Have you ever noticed that the first wine seems to be the strongest? By the time you’ve had your fifteenth glass, assuming you’ve been spitting on and off, wines start to run together. While one might think water would neutralize the palate, it is more of a dilution tool than a strengthener (though a great resource to help reduce the eventual hangover).

Recently I had the pleasure to taste 8 exquisite wines with Joel Peterson of Ravenswood. Immediately following introducing himself and a bit of a chit chat, he proceeded to order a bottle of the bubbly. He was quick to add that the Diet Coke I was drinking was not that great for wine tasting, as he mentioned the extra sugar didn’t do wonders for the taste buds. I agreed, but added that the Diet Coke did have something the Champagne didn’t—caffeine. I tried to keep the flute filled throughout the tasting so I could go back and forth and clear my palate, to help myself distinguish between the Zins.

Reason #3: Relaxation

I’ve never seen someone rush through a glass of Champagne. Even when I’m in a hurry to get in and out of a winery, the bubbly just seems to slow life down. I was recently at J Winery, with a little bit of time to kill up in the wine country before meeting a colleague, and decided to go through the tasting menu. However, instead of rushing through the list of five or six wines, I simply sipped their Cuvée 20, and, after realizing I had spent a bit longer than I was originally anticipated on one wine, let the person pouring know that I was done and I had to get going.

The wineries pouring Champagne are out in most wine tasting regions. For Carneros, there is Gloria Ferrer. If you are in the Russian River or Dry Creek, there is J Vineyards or Iron Horse (or if you must, Korbel). And For Napa, there is Chandon and Mumm to name a few. Even in Temmecula, there are a few wineries producing Champagne.

If you are planning a wine tasting outing, spend a little time locating the wineries that are producing the bubbly. It will be a great start to your wine tasting day and is sure to put a smile on your face faster than you can say Sparkling Wine.

Cheers,
Haydn

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Haydn Adams is the author of the book, Wineries Beyond Napa Valley: Dry Creek and Alexander Valley, an insider’s tasting guide to the hidden gems region. He also contributes to the Beyond Napa Valley Wine Blog, writes for vinvillage.com, and can be found roaming the hills of Sonoma County looking for the next hidden gems. You can contact him at haydn@beyondnapavalley.com

Appellation: Russian River Valley, California | Shone Farm Vineyard (single vineyard)
ALC: 14.1%
You can buy this wine at: signaterra.com/ (though it’s not up online for purchasing yet)
Retail price: N/A
Haydn gives it: 92pts

When one thinks of grapes that are grown in the Russian river, the default answer would be the Pinot Noir. It’s an ideal growing condition and this many wineries have concentrated their energies to that precious grape. But Benziger decided to excel with another grape from that region—the Sauvignon Blanc grape. And excel they did.

Before I go too far, I should disclose that Sauvignon Blanc is one of my favorite white varietals. While I do try to remain as impartial as I can on this blog, personal preference does come in from time to time. Staying completely neutral is something I just can’t do.

I’ve got 4 words for you—Quintessential California Sauvignon Blanc. The wine displays beautiful characteristics of a bit of citrus, especially grapefruit. The color is surpisingly clear, almost harking more to the light yellow of a Chenin Blanc or of a Viogner. This wine goes straight to the point, and is indeed very elegant.

The wine is brand new, having just been released May 1st of this year. It’s so new, I can’t even find a price on this wine. The sold-out 2006 was going for $26, so I’m guessing it will be right around that price point. It is higher for a Sauvignon Blanc than most out there, but the price is justified in the quality. One final note, that this wine is part of Benziger’s “Certified Sustainable Grape Growing Program”. I guess you can say it’s good for you, and the environment.

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Haydn Adams is the author of the book, Wineries Beyond Napa Valley: Dry Creek and Alexander Valley, an insider’s tasting guide to the hidden gems region. He also contributes to the Beyond Napa Valley Wine Blog, writes for vinvillage.com, and can be found roaming the hills of Sonoma County looking for the next hidden gems. You can contact him at haydn@beyondnapavalley.com