We begin this month in the cold, but in love. Our defiant New York City sits on a rough patch of rocks that, in winter, is exposed to things like “nor’easters”, and the “Polar Vortex”! But our love for good living continues to push us forward each day through the wilderness, so we can do the good work, come home, and dream for a better tomorrow. And for all our cold, crazy, love-filled journeys in February, we suggest bubbles!
Spain
Cava Castellar Brut
This best-buy cava is inspired by my mother Catalan ancestors and is coming from the new Cava Designation DO Utier-Requena in Valencia, southwest of La Mancha. Cava Castellar Brut is a blend of Macabeo, Xarello, and Chardonnay, giving way to tropical fruits with green apples dominating. This is easy to drink by itself, or with salads, fruits, and seafoods. A great introduction to Cava.
Cava Castellrar Rosé
The Cava rosé offers lots of sherries, raspberries with sweetness very well controlled that could help some mixologist with their concoctions, bring a little extra joy to brunch, or cap off an evening dinner. This Cava rosé is 100% Garnacha.
Italy
Sprezzatura Brut Cuvée Esperanza
This ” Cuvée Esperanza” was inspired by my rescued dog, ” Esperanza”. This beautiful sparkling wine comes from the town of Treviso in Veneto, Italy. Here we decided to go as dry as we can and the result is a Prosseco that champagne drinkers like. Dry stuff. It packs tropical notes, like pineapple, pears, apples, and tons of citrus fruits with a dose of acidity. Beautiful on its own, or it can take your mimosa to another level.
France
Lete-Vautrain
Récoltant-Manipulant is the term in French that means Champagnes that are produced by the same estate that owns the vineyards where the grapes are grown, also known as “Grower Champagnes”. This is a law-imposed mark to help differentiate between Champagnes that use grapes from a variety of vineyards (usually large Champagne brands), and smaller, local Grower Champagnes that tend to be more terroir-focused, being sourced from a single vineyard or closely located vineyards around a village, and made with grapes which vary with each vintage.
During World War 1, American Expeditionary Forces helped counter the Champagne-Marne German offensive, a big battle that helped liberate the area, including a region known as Slope (or Hill) 204. As a friendly gesture, the French made a concession to the Americans of this land, where close to 2900 soldiers died. They call it the only champagne made in American land. Today, the Château-Thierry American Monument sits on the Slope, just 2 miles west of the town.
Lété-Vautrain Brut 204
This is the slope 204 where the battle happened, and where the fruit comes from: Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The nose fills with luscious peach, apricot, and apples. Very well-balanced, complex and round. The aftertaste lingers with dried fruits. Best serve as an aperitif.
Lété-Vautrain 2010 Millésime Brut
This Millésime Brut is “fast maturing, with soft fruit, attractive acidity, just a touch of toast and a mineral structure,” wrote Roger Voss of Wine Enthusiast on 6/1/2017.
We hope you take note of these choice, yet cost-effective bubbling sensations next time you’re in the mood to celebrate your love of life through harsh and cold times.
¡Salud!