2002 Soter Sparkling Rose of Pinot Noir
1993 J. Schram
1999 J. Schram Rose

Though the J. Schrams are too expensive at over $100/bottle

But also excellent, especially for value:

2006 Torti Sparkling Rose of Pinot Noir (Oltrepo Pavese, Italy)

And, if we include non-dry:

2006(?) La Spinetta Moscato d'Asti

Nothing that I have had comes close to the quality of champagne but:

Mumm DVX
Argyle
Roederer Estate (both the NV and the vintage)

I have enjoyed several Spanish Cava's.

Sori Gramelli Moscato D'Asti

Two Hand Brilliant Disguise

A rose and a blanc de blancs from Burgundy were very good but I forgot their names.

I agree with sprnplr that sparklers are very different and not the same level of quality of decent Champagnes, so my picks are more about wineries than particular wines or vintages.

Schramsberg
Roederer Estate
Iron Horse (especially their Russian Cuvee)

When it comes to budget cavas, Paul Chenau's is surprisingly good. Perfect for a Mimosa or Champagne punch (one of Mozart's favorites ).

quote:

Originally posted by stickman:
I agree with sprnplr that sparklers are very different and not the same level of quality of decent Champagnes...

I know this is heresey, and couner to conventional wisdom, but I actually dissagree with that statement.

The three favorites I listed:
2002 Soter Sparkling Rose of Pinot Noir
1993 J. Schram
1999 J. Schram Rose

Along with Domaine Carneros Le Reve (forget vintage) I've thought better than almost any major house's basic NV I've had. And, the '93 J. Schram tasted last year might have been inserted blind into a Champagne tasting and fooled a lot of people. The problem for me is that comparing a $130 bottle of wine (the J. Schram) to a $40 bottle of wine (Roederer Brut Premier, for example) is silly, so I won't buy it or reccomend it from a value perspective. OTOH, the Soter, which could not fool too many people, is still -- quality-wise -- on par with most $50 Champagnes on the market, imo.

(I also bet I could insert a Torti sparkler into an inexpensive Champagne lineup and fool a lot of people.)

I don't really gravitate toward sparklers at all, but I was enlightened by Dama del Rovere Lessini Durello. Just awesome, and a fantastic QPR. I brought it to an offline, and it was served at the same time as a Veuve yellow label. For the most part, I believe it was preferred over the Veuve hands-down.

Some good recommendations so far. I also like the wines of Gloria Ferrer. At $50, the Carneros Cuvee can compete with the best of California and the NV Brut and Blanc de Noirs are crisp and fruit forward and cost only $20.

As for the comparison to Champagne, it's interesting. I've attended several blind tastings over the years that include high-end domestic and French sparklers. The favorites are typically French but even the most devoted Champagne drinkers are usually surprised at the quality of many of the US bubblies.

We drink a lot of prosecco and home because of the price and easy food pairing with salads, fish and chicken. Our favorite right now is the Canella Prosecco de Conegliano. Pretty awesome stuff for around $10.

Poll Fabaire Cuvée Pinot Blanc, Crémant de Luxembourg

This is a "fun" thread

I like Gloria Ferrer quite a bit. Others that were mentioned that I enjoy as well:
Schramsberg
Roederer Estate

We also drink our fair share of Cava and Prosecco. Of note are:

Zardetto Prosecco
Avinyo Brut Cava

quote:

Originally posted by sarbuze:
This is a "fun" thread
...

Zardetto Prosecco

I love Zardetto. I had 3 of their Proseccos recently at a 500+ bottle Italian tasting and the Extra Dry and the better Brut were two of the very highlights of the tasting.

Spanish Cava [Just about any]
Muscato D'Asti

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Florida Wino,

I do NOT understand the question.

Are you saying they make sparkling wines that are not from Champagne?

quote:

Originally posted by wine+art:
I do NOT understand the question.

Are you saying they make sparkling wines that are not from Champagne?

They must mean Prosecco.

quote:

Originally posted by sarbuze:
This is a "fun" thread

I like Gloria Ferrer quite a bit. Others that were mentioned that I enjoy as well:
Schramsberg
Roederer Estate

We also drink our fair share of Cava and Prosecco. Of note are:

Zardetto Prosecco
Avinyo Brut Cava

Ditto to all of these plus I would add Moscato d'Asti as well.

quote:

Originally posted by winetarelli:

quote:

Originally posted by stickman:
I agree with sprnplr that sparklers are very different and not the same level of quality of decent Champagnes...

I know this is heresey, and couner to conventional wisdom, but I actually dissagree with that statement.

Fair 'nuff. I've only had La Reve once (enjoyed it very much), and I've never had any J. Schram, Soter, or Torti sparklers, so I may just be ignorant of the best CA has to offer. Thanks for the recommendations.

quote:

Originally posted by winetarelli:


I know this is heresey, and couner to conventional wisdom, but I actually dissagree with that statement.

First, that is heresy, and second, you are now on probation!

quote:

Originally posted by Tim Fish:


As for the comparison to Champagne, it's interesting. I've attended several blind tastings over the years that include high-end domestic and French sparklers. The favorites are typically French but even the most devoted Champagne drinkers are usually surprised at the quality of many of the US bubblies.

My wine group has had four blind tastings as such, and not once has a domestic shown well next to Champagne.

Perhaps it is time to try one again.

quote:

Originally posted by wine+art:

quote:

Originally posted by Tim Fish:


As for the comparison to Champagne, it's interesting. I've attended several blind tastings over the years that include high-end domestic and French sparklers. The favorites are typically French but even the most devoted Champagne drinkers are usually surprised at the quality of many of the US bubblies.

My wine group has had four blind tastings as such, and not once has a domestic shown well next to Champagne.

Perhaps it is time to try one again.

I agree, a GOOD champagne can not compete with domestic bubblies...BUT, for $20 I cant think of a true champagne that competes with a vintage Schramsberg in a good vintage (although they are completely different in taste and style, so its not a true comparison but instead a taste/quality preference).

For me:

Domaine Carneros, especially their "Le Reve".
I recently got to taste a 1993 Le Reve that was offered last year in trio of '93, '94 '95. The '93 aged very good, and had plenty more years left in it.


Next up, Mumm Napa, their DVX is excellent.


After that, Roederer, excellent to say the least.

Llopart Cava Rose Brut Reserva
Gramona Gran Cuvee

and for a good deal Gruet Blanc de Noirs

I love sparkling wine, and while it's true that Champagne, at its best, is tops, there are many rivals based on bottle fermented Chard and Pinot.

Italy has several producers that I would prefer over all but the best grower Champagnes. Ferrari, Methius, B. Giacosa, Ca' del Bosco, Cavalleri, Brutell, and even Rotari all make wines that can compete.

I agree, but I like the Iron Hore Wedding Cuvee.

quote:

Originally posted by stickman:
I agree with sprnplr that sparklers are very different and not the same level of quality of decent Champagnes, so my picks are more about wineries than particular wines or vintages.

Schramsberg
Roederer Estate
Iron Horse (especially their Russian Cuvee)

When it comes to budget cavas, Paul Chenau's is surprisingly good. Perfect for a Mimosa or Champagne punch (one of Mozart's favorites ).