USA, CA, Northcoast
90% Pinot Noir, 10% Chardonnay
Schramsberg pioneered the Blanc de Noirs style in the United States, producing the first commercial example of this sparkling wine in 1967. The key to their signature style lies in sourcing Pinot Noir from a wide range of cool-climate vineyards. Low-yielding coastal sites in Sonoma and Marin are blended with fruit from Carneros and Anderson Valley, creating a sparkling wine rich in character and nuance. A touch of select Chardonnay is added to bring brightness and structure to the final blend.
In the glass, it shows a deep golden honey hue. The nose offers inviting notes of caramel, toffee, lemon, orange blossom, and a trace of honey. On the palate, it’s tart at the entry, smooth through the mid-palate, and finishes dry. Flavors of lemon, green apple, and pineapple carry through clear and refreshing. It’s a versatile sparkler, perfect for a celebration.
We enjoyed it with what we though to be a local “homemade” cherry pie from our area grocer—only to discover they are shipped frozen from Ohio. Oh my!