Friday Bubbles

Today I just want to share a wine that I think is worth seeking out by any lover of bubbles. Le Brut Rosé de Baumard, Crémant de Loire is lovely and versatile, yet affordable. I first found out about it because it was amongst a group of bubbly bottles that my husband gifted me with on a birthday a couple of years ago. I have returned to it a number of times since then and, even in Alaska, have found it priced around $29. The wine adheres to the strict standards of Champagne production, or Méthode Champenoise, but has a flavor signature all its own as it is made with 100% Cabernet Franc. Crémant de Loire is an appellation that encompasses dry sparkling wines in the districts of Anjou, Saumur, and Touraine. As it refers to Champagne production, crémant is meant to describe wines that are moderately sparkling, but Crémant de Loire wines are fully sparkling and the Brut Rosé de Baumard is no exception. I have paired it successfully with red meat, classic Caesar salad, and salmon and I believe that anyone would be hard pressed to find a food that it would clash with. The wine’s finish is particularly memorable as it leaves your palate feeling clean from the dry and active bubbles with a slight taste of tangy grapefruit. Here is what the American importer of Domaine de Baumard wines, Vintus, had to say about Le Brut Rosé de Baumard: “Beautiful pink, the Brut Rosé is lively and pleasant with current, ginger and rose petal aromas.  The Cabernet Franc grape shows its character in a very elegant way, and the wine is packed with delicious fresh strawberry and red currant flavors.”

Hopefully you will find this wine and have the chance to experience it for yourself. If you do, please write me and let me know about it.

Mel