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Daniel B · 02-26-2006, 11:48 PM,

Hi Everyone
My name is Dan and im new here.
I have a couple questions and seeking some good advice.
I'm new to drinking Sparklers. I had some Martini and Rossi Asti yesterday, and I have to say it turned me off. Sooo sweet and it was highly carbonated. I had it at room temp.-should it be drank at room temp. or be chilled.
Another thing about Asti--I cant find the sugar content on the bottle anywhere. Is it Dec, Semi-dec or what? Just the residual sugar content would be helpful, also , if you knew that--i tried googling and couldn't find it anywhere.
Another question. What is a very good extra dry sparkler? I've found that it is a great balence between Dry and Sweet. I tried Andre from Cali. and it tasted pretty flat (could be old?) It was good though.
My last thing is that I would like some advice on a good sparkler for my wedding. It doesn't necessarily have to be a desert wine. But I dont want Brut--its too dry for me.
I know this is alot of questions, and I thank everyone in advance for answering them.
--Dan

Thomas · 02-27-2006, 08:14 AM,

Dan,

First, sparkling wine is the only wine that should be very cold when you drink it.

Second, your comment about highly carbonated confuses me--that is the nature of sparkling wine.

Third, try Moet White Star.

Fourth, general dry/sweet levels, from driest to sweetest:

Sauvage(Naturel)
Brut
Dry
Extra Dry (Crement)

Last, it's Sec and Demi-sec, not the other way around. Demi-sec means semi-sweet.

Finally, Andre is horrible stuff: warm, cold or mixed with gold...

winoweenie · 02-27-2006, 08:25 AM,

Hi Dan and welcome to the board. IMHO you should like many of the fine Prosecco sparklwes from Italy. They're clean, fruity, and vivacious without being cloying. Alas in a true "Methode Champagne" style you mite try Gruet from New Mexico. Lovely stuff and the pricing wont make you take out a 2nd mortage. WW

[This message has been edited by winoweenie (edited 02-27-2006).]

Innkeeper · 02-27-2006, 09:13 AM,

Hi Dan. As Foodie pointed out "Extra Dry" in a sparkler means "Slightly Sweet." How nomanclature ended up this way is a puzzle to me. If, indeed, you want an "Extra Dry" sparkler, and we like them, look for a Cava from Spain. They are widely available and made in the Champagne Method. They also come in the dryer Brut bottlings, and even "Extra Brut"!

WileECoyote · 02-27-2006, 12:17 PM,

Welcome Dan!

Try some cavas. Spanish sparkling wine. Good priced and most are pleasent. I do second the Moet White Star also. The best way is just keep trying different ones until you find the one that suits you.

Suzy · 03-01-2006, 07:46 PM,

Hi Daniel....try this white and tell me what you think: YellowTail Chardonnay...and it's only $7 per bottle. It's light, fun, playful and yet lots of substance in it's body. Just really nice good relaxing company wine that can also hold its own at a formal event also, such as a wedding. You just might like it also. Suzy

Thomas · 03-02-2006, 01:04 PM,

Suzy,

What does this Chardonnay have to do with sparkling wine? Are there bubbles in it? Shouldn't be.

Suzy · 03-02-2006, 05:35 PM,

Foodie... mine always has bubbles..... [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/smile.gif[/img] is that bad??? many tiny playful bubbles all over...what's wrong with my bubbles Foodie???

winoweenie · 03-02-2006, 06:10 PM,

Suzi what Foodie was trying to subtly ask is why when the question was asked specifically about sparkling wines you are touting a very mediocre, at best, Aussie Chardonnay. You had already praised this hummer on another thread. Perhaps maybe there are other wines in this great universe of ours other than a 7 buck SW. WW [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/wink.gif[/img]

Innkeeper · 03-02-2006, 06:13 PM,

Bubbles in a still table wine such as Yellow Tail Chardonnay could mean a number of things, but most commonly it is secondary fermetation which is a bad thing.

Thomas · 03-02-2006, 08:32 PM,

Most commonly, Suzy, bubbles in a still wine is simply bad wine. That's why there are categories--still wine, frizzante, sparkling--but the producer has to declare the wine as one of the three, and this thread is about sparkling wine.

[This message has been edited by foodie (edited 03-02-2006).]

brappy · 03-02-2006, 11:21 PM,

"what's wrong with my bubbles Foodie???"

LMAO [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/biggrin.gif[/img] [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/biggrin.gif[/img] [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/biggrin.gif[/img] [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/biggrin.gif[/img]

Daniel B · 03-03-2006, 05:22 AM,

Some of you are mentioning Spanish Cavas, and I am picking up that it is a good choice from other threads, too--there seems to be a lot of choices of Cava (maybe i am wrong, remember i am new at this lol), can you point me to some of the best ones? The best "Extra Dry" ones.

[This message has been edited by Daniel B (edited 03-03-2006).]

Thomas · 03-03-2006, 08:03 AM,

Dan,

There are a lot of good Cava. The problem will be you finding the specific recommendations to some of them.

Maybe it's good to start with Cordoniu or Friexenet (not sure of the spelling). They are fairly widely available.

Daniel B · 03-03-2006, 04:04 PM,

Thanks Foodie!!

robr · 03-03-2006, 07:37 PM,

I think you guys chased Suzi away. Bad dogs!

WileECoyote · 03-04-2006, 01:21 AM,

I don't know how to spell it, but i can describe it. Seguras Viuldas ??? It is a green bottle with a pewter base and a pewter crest on it. Great and sweet. I was given a bottle of this a Christmas present and it was very tasty. $20.00 US

VouvrayHead · 03-04-2006, 02:08 AM,

the segura viudas with the pewter is their special cuvee. i think it's called hermidia or somethin' like that...
the basic segura viudas is around $7 and rivals Cristalino for my favorite cheap bubbly (and Bricco Rella Asti)

Thomas · 03-04-2006, 11:01 AM,

Cristalino is a good one, as is Duran. Lots of Cava from which to choose.

Suzy · 03-11-2006, 01:16 PM,

NOOOOOOOOO no one chased me away.....could never do that. I was teasing whomever was having a problem with my bubbles.....and of course some of the more time trained wine folks had to get all flustered and on verge of a silent meltdown on the wineboard. May I remind you that wine is for fun and celebrating and relaxing and having a great time and it's not all about intellectual wisdom. geez.....lighten up....the person who initiated the topic may have found something he really wanted in this wine, regardless of its mediocre price tag...keep an open mind folks and take a deeper breath before posting. My BUBBLES are always good!

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