There is nothing more exciting than the pop of a cork of sparkling wine. When it comes to sparkling though, I have found that you can be severely disappointed once that cork pops out and you slide the contents into an appropriate glass flute. Dry, sweet, flat, there are so many characteristics of a bad bottle of sparkling wine. Therefore, when I can find it, I always stick to the same varietal: pure, clean chardonay (aka Blanc de Blancs). Blanc de blancs sparkling wine is 100% chardonay grapes and thus displays the clean, fruity elegance that always guarantees a smile of satisfaction on my face. Its hard to find and is usually on the higher end in price.
My favorite:
Argyle Winery, Williamette Valley, Oregon 2000 ($40 USD per bottle)
Tasting notes (source: http://argylewinery.com/2000-Blanc-de-Blancs.php)
It is amazing that Mother Nature should provide us with the perfect growing season for phenomenal sparkling wines in the beginning of the New Millennium! I believe this wine to be the most exciting Blanc de Blancs yet derived from Argyle. Mere words cannot describe the balance between zippy minerality and ripe creamy elegance contributed by tree fruit aromas and flavors of apple, Anjou pear, and a splash of white peach. Rich, creamy, and balanced from start to finish, remember this wine as your benchmark for great Blanc de Blancs.
mumura 