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Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Noirs Methode Champenoise

We love to celebrate special occasions with sparkling wine.  The "tiny bubbles" come from the wine's carbon dioxide content which can result from one of three processes:

     1.  The Traditional Method, also known as Methode Champenoise, occurs where fresh yeast is added to the wine in the bottle causing a secondary fermentation in the bottle.  We know that yeast plus sugar creates alcohol and carbon dioxide.  This method creates very tiny bubbles and is the one used in Champagne.

     2,  The Charmat Method involves fresh yeast and sugar added into wine held in pressurized steel tanks.  This method is used in Prosecco.

     3.  Carbon Dioxide injection is used in soda pop and the cheapest sparkling wines.

Sparkling wine from the Champagne region of France may only be made from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes using the Methode Champenoise process.  Most of us drink Champagne to celebrate our most special occasions but it can be very expensive.  An alternative is to select a sparkling wine made with Chardonnay and/or Pinot Noir from California that has undergone secondary fermentation in the bottle (Methode Champenoise).

Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Noirs Methode Champenoise is a great choice.  It is made with primarily Pinot Noir grapes with a lesser amount of Chardonnay from the Carneros region in California.  A portion of the Pinot Noir juice remains in longer contact with the skins resulting in a light pink color to the wine.  The result is a dry sparkling wine with flavors of cherry cream and vanilla.  We enjoyed this wine.  The flavors are enhanced if you do not serve it too cold.  I bought this wine at Total Wine for $18.99.

SC Wine Joe does not assign numerical ratings to white or sparkling wines.  Wine Enthusiast and Wine Spectator rate the wine at 90 points.



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