July 14, 2020
20-buck bottle: Deep pink bubbles packed with flavor
A sparkling wine for a meal that is beautiful to view
Wine: Louis de Grenelle Rosé Samur Corail NV
Availability: Assorted Table Wine Shoppe, 7th Street Public Market
Price: $18.99
On the nose: Ripe red berries, violets, white pepper, minerality
On the palate: Rose water, juicy overripe strawberries, fresh herbs, very fine bubbles
On the plate: This wine will support hearty flavors, such as grilled salmon, stuffed eggplant, and roasted stuffed artichokes. You can also enjoy it with a dense chocolate dessert.
Our take: Sparkling wines are often considered starter wines or wines for a celebration. Many sparkling wines can refresh your palate as you eat and greatly enhance your dining experience.
Interesting fact: Cabernet franc is an important red grape in the Loire Valley of France, and is the father of Cabernet Sauvignon. Cab franc hooked up with sauvignon blanc in the fields and produced cabernet sauvignon, which did not grow well in the Loire Valley. The vines were cloned in Bordeaux, where cabernet sauvignon thrived and went on to great fame. It also grows well in the Santa Barbara Valley in California, as well as the wine growing regions of North Carolina and Virginia. —Anita Skogland
