Budget Brut from the Languedoc #WBW74

February 15th, 2012 is Wine Blogging Wednesday, a monthly event with a special theme in which wine bloggers write about a wine that matches the theme. This month is a theme that I LOVE: Sparkling wines $25 and under.

I just read a very heartening statistic: American consumption of Champagne is on the rise and has increased by at least 20% since 2010. I have certainly added to that increase and have grown to love Champagne and sparkling wines over the past year. There is nothing more wonderful than an expensive, vintage Champagne. However, I cannot afford bottles of '02 Cristal or Krug from 1996 so I am so happy when I can find an affordable alternative, especially if it is under $20. My pick for WBW #74 is:

Jean-Louis Denois Brut "Tradition" - SKU 1025481

What makes a pricey champagne (vintage or non-vintage) from Champagne so great to me are the yeasty, toasty notes they acquire from so much ageing on the "lees", which are deposits of yeast in fermentation tanks.

Will a $15 bottle of Brut from the Languedoc have the same yeasty complexity? NO, but it has been aged on lees for 18 months so it has some of that flavor and texture that I love so much.

This sparkler has a good balance of fruit and yeastiness. It is composed of 50% Pinot Noir and 50% Chardonnay. It tastes like strawberry jam spread on toasted brioche with slices of tart green apple. It is crisp and dry and has a long, creamy finish making me want to drink more. It pairs especially well with sushi.

This sparkling wine is special and is only carried by K&L Wines, a large wine store in the Bay Area. They import it directly from the producer, Jean -Louis Denois, one of the oldest wineries in the Languedoc region of Southern France and the grapes for this sparkler come from vineyard sites in the French Pyrenees.

If you are not in Northern California just click on the link above and order some of this sparkling wine. You cannot beat the quality of this wine at the price of $14.99.

A Votre Sante! from Xandria

Dark And Delicious Winner!

Congratulations to:

Alma Avila

who correctly identified: "Peloursin" as the grape variety crossed with Syrah to produce Petite Sirah.  Thanks so much to all who entered!  And to Luscious Lush Thea for selecting the winner in our random drawing

You can be a winner too, by attending this  fabulous event.  Details here:

Dark and Delicious and coming to the East Bay - Win Free D&D tickets here

On February 17th, one of the most fun and educational wine and food events comes to the Bay area.  The Sixth annual Dark and Delicious event will be held 2/17 starting at 6pm at the Rock Wall Wine Company in Alameda.  Thanks to the wonderful Jo Diaz, we have two passes to give away.  Just review the question at the end of this post and place your answer the question  in the comments section, and we will draw this Friday 2/ 10 to pick the lucky winner

HINT: Answer and an engaging story here

...and another one here:

Ample parking, expertly paired treats and a chance to survey many different expressions of this engaging grape variety await us.  Petite Sirah has an inky, brooding character.  It will stain your teeth purple. And you will love it!  You simply cannot beat this opportunity to learn more in the best way possible---by experience. 58 Winemakers and 36 purveyors of tempting taste treats will be on hand to show you just how engaging this wine can be.  Names you know and love already like Ridge, Stags Leap and more will be on hand with some that may become your new favorites.  As for the snacks, one word: Paella!  And tons of other sweet/salty/savory yumminess.

Best of luck with our contest,  but if you want to hedge your bets, bloomspot has an awesome deal here: Click here for half off tix at bloomspot

So enter to win:
Petit Sirah is a cross between the Syrah grape and what little known French variety?


Next: Stags Leap Petit Sirah - a wine review