Cook’s Extra Dry: Review

California Champagne

Cookschampagne.com

11.5% abv

This is a cheap grocery store bubbly.  I picked it up for 6 or 7 bucks; on sale. 

Appearance: yellow diamond with plenty of bubbles rising from the bottom of the glass.

Aroma: dusty orange peel, pear, apple

Flavors: sweet pear, a mix of pink lady apple and green apple, a light lemon meat note on the back of the palate.

Mouthfeel: seems more like a sec or dry than extra dry.  Sweet notes on the delivery with a light dry feel on the finish. 

To the Point: seems like a fun bubbly, I think this would be good for one to try and then decide if they want to go dryer or sweeter in style. 

It is only a seven dollar bottle of bubbly but, if you don’t drink Champagne often or you may want to try some for the first time – then, this could be for you.  This would be a good introductory bubbly and it is easy to find. 

Korbel Extra Dry: Review

California Champagne

12% abv

Can usually find for under $10 on sale

Appearance: light straw with plenty of bubbles

Aroma: light dusty green apple with a touch of citrus

Flavors and Mouthfeel: a pretty simple bubbly that follows the nose.  Dry feel on the finish. Has a lingering sweet citrus taste on the tongue.   

To the Point: this is good to mix with orange juice.  You get what you pay for here – not much money – not much on interest.  Just mixed it with Cranberry Juice and it’s a winner.

Want to impress somebody – mix it with something.  Then, you are not wasting a good bubbly.

Want to impress somebody for a special moment – buy a better bubbly.    

Shady Lane 2010 Semi-Dry Riesling: Review

Shady Lane Cellars

Suttons Bay, Michigan, USA

Shadylanecellars.com

$13.00 a bottle

11.7% abv

Here is their description on the bottle, “This slightly sweet Riesling is rich and full of ripe peach, green apple and honeysuckle and has a crisp, clean finish.”

Appearance: light yellow diamond

Aroma: a mix of sweet fruit, tart apple, and citrus meat.

Flavors and Mouthfeel: I really like their description for this wine.  The only thing I would change is: it has a clean delivery; crispness on the mid and finish that goes along with the citrus meat feel on the palate; there is a lemon-lime tartness that lingers on the tongue (reminds me of a sweet-tart candy); all this swirls around that sweet honeysuckle note.  The bottle has it labeled as ‘medium sweet,’ and once again I’ll have to concur. The sweetness is on the delivery and mid palate when the dry notes show up for the late mid and finish.  It seems to be a very refreshing mouthfeel that it leaves on the palate. 

To the Point: a very tasty Semi-dry Riesling.  For only $13.00 – I think this is a bargain.

Be Dazzled 2009: Review

Dry, bubbly white wine

“Fresh, crisp fruit, off-dry finish”

Black Star Farms

Old Mission Peninsula

Traverse City, Michigan, USA

12% abv

$13.75 a bottle

Blackstarfarms.com

I was surprised by the bottle cap top that was under the foil.  Then, I was a little intimidated opening this bottle with a bottle opener.  Was it going to blow the cap off as I tried to pry the cap open?  It did not.  It seems to not have the pressure of a regular bubbly. 

I don’t have the blend for the 2009 but, they have the 2010 blend listed as: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc. I’ll bet the 09 is not far off from this blend.  The 2010 is also priced at $15.50 a bottle. 

Appearance: light dusty crystal with some bubbles floating from the bottom to the top. 

Aroma: light fruity nose but it doesn’t have that bubbly feel on the nose.

Flavors and Mouthfeel: nice crisp mouthfeel, crisp apple, fresh pear, lemon meat, tastes like a white wine with some carbonation added to it.  The crisp apple flavor lingers along with a light lemon meat swirling around on the palate.

To the Point: Black Star sells this as a ‘fun sparkling wine.’  For under 15 bucks I’ll have to agree.  This would be good to make some mimosas with.

Pair this with fresh fruit, salad, fruit salad or breakfast.   

Black Star Farms 2008 Brut: Review

Sparkling Wine

Black Star Farms

Suttons Bay, Michigan, USA

Leelanau Peninsula

Blackstarfarms.com

11.5% abv

$22.00 a bottle

Blend: 68% Chardonnay, 24% Pinot Noir, 8% Pinot Blanc

Appearance: straw in color and some really aggressive bubbles happening here

Aroma: fizzy fresh apple with a hint of plum

Flavor and Mouthfeel: super fine fizzy feel tingles the palate with apple, tart apple, and I think I get a little lemon peel on the back of the tongue with a touch of apple blossom, the profile is very dry yet crisp on the delivery and the long lingering aftertaste. 

L Mawby Consort: Review

Sparkling Wine SEC

Methode Champenoise

Leelanau Peninsula

Bottle no. 34 out of 230

12% abv

L. Mawby

Suttons Bay, Michigan, USA

Lmawby.com

Appearance: light golden delicious apple color with a yellow-green hue around the rim

Aroma: soft summer sweet fruits

Flavors: a mix of green apple and Fuji Apple, splash of sweet summer fruit

Mouthfeel: tartness on the mid and finish, touch of citrus rind lingers on the tongue, easygoing bubbly, light fizzy feel. 

Pair this with a fruit salad or maybe set up the chocolate fountain with some fresh fruits. 

I paired the Consort with a Hemingway Classic Cameroon Cigar