November Bubbly Club: Iowa

Bubbly Wine ClubVeuve Ambal bottleVeuve Ambal
Crémant de Bourgogne
Grande Cuvée Rosé

Burgundy, France

BUBBLY WINE STYLE

Brilliant salmon color with bright pink highlights. Aromas of strawberry and grenadine with flavors of red currant, raspberry with an elegant finish.

Varietals: Pinot Noir, Gamay, and Chardonnay
Appellation: Crémant de Bourgogne AOC
Vine Age: Average 25 years
Alcohol: 12.0% alcohol / volume
Fermentation: First in stainless steel tank, followed by malolactic fermentation, then second fermentation in bottle (Méthode Traditionnelle)
Aging: 16-18 months on lees
Dosage:
10 g/lF
Farming Practices: Certified sustainable (HVE)
Serving Temperature:
46-50°F / 8-10°C
Accolades: 91 pts Wine Enthusiast Best Buy; 90 pts James Suckling; 90 pts Decanter

PAIRING SUGGESTIONS:
Cuvée Rosé goes perfectly with light, fresh dishes such as salmon or tuna carpaccios, summer salads with red fruits or a platter of fine charcuterie or French toast. It also goes well with fruity desserts, such as red fruit pavlova or raspberry macaroons.

WINEMAKER NOTES:
Crémant de Bourgogne Grande Cuvée Brut Rosé is a well-balanced, fruity and accessible cuvée, designed to embody the gourmandise of rosé without excess. It offers a fresh, crisp profile, ideal for those looking for a rosé with character, both lively and convivial. A Crémant de Bourgogne Rosé to be shared on any occasion, around a relaxed aperitif or a simple, tasty meal.

WINEMAKING:
After harvest, a slow pressing process is used with pneumatic presses to respect the integrity of the berries. The first presses, richer and more complex, are selected to produce the best basic wines in stainless steel tanks. After filtration and clarification, a team of oenologists meticulously composes the blend, paying particular attention to the wines to bring out their full color. Liqueur de tirage (a mixture of sugar and wine) and yeast are added to the wines before bottling. Under the action of the yeast, carbon dioxide generates effervescence. The bottles remain on laths for a minimum of 12 months at constant temperature in the cellar. This prolonged ageing allows the wine to develop its specific aromas and to offer bubbles of great finesse. The bottles are then stirred and disgorged to remove any yeast deposits. A dosage-determining liqueur is added before corking and labeling.

ABOUT VEUVE AMBAL:
Female-founded and family-owned,  Veuve Ambal estate has over a century of history as a pioneer of Crémant in Burgundy.  Founed by Marie Ambal in 1898 in Rully, Burgundy, Veuve Ambal is led today by Eric and Aurélien Piffaut.  Veuve Ambal embodies the very essence of Crémants de Bourgogne, strong in its terroir and rich in history and know-how. Since its foundation, the company has created, preserved and passed on the tradition of sparkling wine in Burgundy.  Each bottle is the fruit of a passionate commitment to quality, where the authenticity of origin blends with the excellence of production methods. Learn more about Veuve Ambal heritage>

Photo and Information © Veuve Ambal – All Rights Reserved


Bisol Crede bottleBisol
Crede
Prosecco Superiore DOCG Brut

Veneto, Italy

BUBBLY WINE STYLE

Straw yellow with greenish hues, this wine offers an intensely fruity nose of white peach and lychee, lifted by a delicate hint of anise. The palate is fresh and linear, with well-balanced acidity and a clean, mineral finish.

Varietals: 85% Glera, 15% Chardonnay
Appellation: Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG, Veneto, Italy
Alcohol: 11.5% alcohol / volume
Residual Sugar: 8 g/L
Total Acidity:
6.3 g/L
pH: 3.2
Dosage:
Brut
Soil: Clay
Farming: Sustainable Viticulture practices

SERVING SUGGESTIONS:
Serve in a flute or tulip glass, which provides a more generous chamber to savor the aromas. Prosecco Superiore is best enjoyed chilled.  Place the bottle in a bucket filled half way with water and ice. As the wine gently warms in the glass, it opens up to reveal it’s aromatic qualities. 

VINEYARDS:
“Crede” is the local term for clay, a type of soil that has the unique ability to retain water, which in turn helps protect the vines from drought conditions. This region, situated 250 meters above sea level, benefits greatly from this natural characteristic, ensuring that the vines receive adequate hydration even during dry periods.

WINEMAKING NOTES:
This vintage saw a rainy spring that supported balanced vine growth, followed by a warm summer that advanced ripening. Cooler nights in September preserved aromatic definition and freshness, resulting in healthy grapes with vibrant acidity and balanced structure.  Harvested in small lots, the grapes undergo gentle pressing while chilled. Fermentation in stainless steel tanks and aging on lees come before the second fermentation, which follows the Martinotti method for at least 30 days.

Photo of next generation of Bisol wine family

“My grandfather Desiderio and my father Antonio were always on the lookout for the best plots to purchase. Those were the steepest ones, and as such the hardest to cultivate, but their gradient and soil composition made them perfect for growing Glera grapes. It shows how long-sighted they were, and how important the quality of the final product was for them”. – Gianluca Bisol

ABOUT BISOL WINERY:
With roots dating back to 1542, Bisol represents 21 generations of family winemaking in the heart of Valdobbiadene, the historic home of Prosecco. The family’s winery reflects this deep heritage, with original details carefully preserved and cellars carved into the region’s rocky landscape. Naturally maintaining temperatures between 10°C and 15°C, these cellars provide ideal conditions for preserving the family’s most treasured bottles. More than a place where sparkling wines are made, Bisol is a living connection to the traditions, craftsmanship, and history that have shaped Prosecco Superiore for centuries. Learn more about Bisol wine cave and the story of Bisol>

Photo and Information © Bisol and Wilson Daniels – All Rights Reserved


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July Bubbly Club: Iowa

Bubbly Wine ClubJeio_Brut_Valdobbiadene_Prosecco_bottleJeio
Brut Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG NV

Veneto, Italy

BUBBLY WINE STYLE

The Jeio Prosecco Superiore NV has bright aromas of fresh green apple, with notes of citrus fruit, peach, apricot, and tropical notes of banana, papaya and mango emerge beautifully. White flowers and vegetal notes of freshly cut grass compliment the subtle hint of ginger that adds an intriguing complexity to the profile. Dry with consistent body, this wine is elegant, fresh, and crispy, but not light.

Region: Veneto, Italy
Appellation: Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG
Varietals: 85% Glera, 15% International varieties
Soil: Marl/Clay soils
Alcohol: 11.5% alcohol / volume
Residual Sugar: 11.3 g/L
Total Acidity: 5.34 g/L
pH: 3.29
Age: 10 to 50 years old
Eco-Practices: Sustainable
Aging: Brief aging on the lees before the second fermentation via Martinotti method for at least 60 days.
Critical Acclaim: 92 pts Wine Enthusiast 2022; 90 pts James Suckling 2022

WINEMAKING:
The Jeio brand is inspired by the influential Desiderio Bisol, whose wife lovingly referred to him as Jeio. The father of the current generation of Bisol, Desiderio was dedicated to product quality, acquiring only the steepest plots. While considerably more difficult to work, these plots are ideal for vine cultivation. As a result of his vision, the Glera cultivated in these vineyards is especially rich in malic acid, making the final wine more dynamic and evolved. Only the best Glera grapes are selected from Bisol’s 35 plots in Valdobbiadene to make the highly aromatic Jeio Brut. Soft pressing, fermentation in stainless steel tank and aging on lees precede the second fermentation through the Martinotti method for at least 30 days.

VINEYARD PROFILE:
The vineyards of Jeio, part of the renowned Bisol family, are nestled in the heart of the Prosecco Superiore DOCG region, known for producing the highest-quality Prosecco in Italy. The Bisol family, pioneers in the region, are recognized as the founding family of Prosecco Superiore, and their vineyards reflect a deep commitment to craftsmanship and tradition. The vines, ranging in age from 10 to 50 years, thrive in the rich marl and clay soils of the area, which offer a perfect balance of drainage and moisture retention, essential for producing exceptional grapes. These soils, combined with the unique microclimates of the steep hills, allow the Glera grapes to reach their full potential, imparting the wines with complex aromas, refreshing acidity, and a distinctive minerality.

ABOUT THE WINERY
Jeio is the fruit of two interwoven love stories. The first of generations of the Bisol family who have faithfully cared for their vineyards and within this same family, there is the love of a wife who affectionately gave her husband Desiderio Bisol, the nickame “Jeio.” Learn more here.

Photo and Information © Wilson Daniels – All Rights Reserved

santa-margherita-Prosecco-bottleSanta Margherita
Prosecco Superiore di Valdobbiadene DOCG
Veneto, Italy

BUBBLY WINE STYLE

This sparkling wine has fine, lively bubbles that dance within its bright straw-yellow color and greenish reflections. Its lovely aromas include ripe pineapples, peaches, and Rennet apples as well as delicate florals. Its finish is bright and dry, yet sweet on the palate.

Region: Veneto, Italy
Appellation:
Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG
Varietal: Glera
Altitude: 985 – 1,640 ft. above sea level
Soil: Of morainic origin, with little depth

Alcohol: 11.5% alcohol / volume
Sugar Content: 11 g/750ML
Serving Temperature: 43-45ºF
Recommended glass: Medium-sized, tulip-shaped, narrowing towards the rim
Training systems: Sylvoz, Double-Arched Cane
Plant density: 1,215 – 1620 per acre
Harvest period: Second half of September
Aging Potential: 1-2 years, meant to be enjoyed fresh

PAIRING NOTES:
Perfect as an apéritif, this celebrated bubbly pairs well with seafood or cheese appetizers. It also adds flavorful sparkle to brunch classics or your favorite rich dessert. Even rich, creamy dishes such as pasta carbonara, fried favorites like calamari, or even grilled filet of beef will not overwhelm its vivaciousness.

WINEMAKING NOTES:
Luscious and aromatic, the Glera grapes are meticulously hand-harvested. This area has some of the steepest hills in Italy, which benefit the grapes with better drainage and sun exposure. Being so high above sea level also creates cool nights and warm days, which these grapes love. After hand-harvesting, they turn them into a cuvée (base wine) that is fermented with selected yeasts at precisely controlled temperatures to preserve full, complex flavor. Once fermentation is complete, the wine is matured for three more months, allowing the full aromatic potential and vibrant taste of their Prosecco to converge.

ABOUT SANTA MARGHERITA:
Santa Margherita grows luscious, aromatic, Glera grapes in the gentle hills of Valdobbiadene. Just north of Venice, this town is synonymous with the finest Prosecco Superiore and DOCG status – the highest and most distinctive classification possible. Their early development and investment in Conegliano-Valdobbiadene began in 1952, when Gaetano Marzotto fell in love with sparkling Prosecco and the enchanting area where it is made. He immediately recognized the wine’s potential. It is a love story that is more passionate today than ever before, and it has led Santa Margherita to become one of the top producers of this exceptional wine, and for Prosecco to become one of the most famous and highly regarded sparkling wines in the world. Learn more here.

Information & Photos © Santa Margherita – All Rights Reserved.


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