Our New Favorite Sparkler

Now that the holidays are just around the corner we'd like to share with you a delicious and completely under-the-radar sparkling wine we BOTH adore and love to drink at home. There's no press on this wine but it doesn't need it.

Under-the-radar and under $20, you betcha!

We're off to the Loire Valley in France today to share with you one of the most unexpected finds in the bubbly department you're likely to come across.

Many people don't know Saumur is a premiere sparkling wine region in France.

This is a very unusual and fascinating region. Deep under the streets of Saumur miles and miles of caves wind their way through the soft limestone which was used to build many Loire Valley châteaux. Carved centuries ago, many were dug with prison labor (often by men caught for smuggling salt) under the direction of the king of France. There are so many "streets" underground that they outnumber the actual streets in this beautiful town!

One of the last remaining family-owned sparkling wine houses in Saumur, Louis de Grenelle, owns about 2 kilometers of these caves. All of the sparkling wine produced by the property is stored in these cool caverns, many of which were used during World War II by the French resistance. Louis de Grenelle has been producing wines in this location since 1859.

The wine cellars of Louis de Grenelle

This may look like the set of a Harry Potter movie, but the picture is real. Louis de Grenelle is passionate about making high quality sparkling wine. They don't use "leftover" juice as is unfortunately the case in many Loire sparkling houses. The fruit for their bottlings is harvested by hand and yields are quite low. This produces rich, textured bottlings of sparkling wine which are indicative of the varietal, not a sugar-packed and innocuous wine produced for the export market.

Louis de Grenelle Vineyards

Louis de Grenelle Sparkling Saumur Corail Brut Rosé NV

The grapes used to produce the sparkling Saumur Rosé are grown on the hillsides surrounding the town and in the small hamlets just outside of Saumur. They are pressed and flow by gravity into underground tanks at the winery. All of the wines are made in the Champagne method and are bottled with little dosage to preserve the freshness of the Cabernet Franc.

You heard us right. We don't want you to be afraid of Cabernet Franc, at least in this form. This sparkling wine is destined to exceed your expectations!

Louis de Grenelle Sparkling Saumur Corail Brut Rosé has a lovely pink appearance flecked with fine bubbles. The bouquet is raspberry and wild strawberry along with iris and violet flowers. The palate is a festival of red fruit flavors.

Look no further for your holidays bubbles!

This is a bright, crisp and absolutely delicious sparkling rosé. These bubbles make a regular appearance in our home.

Cheers to a wonderful holiday season and the new year ahead!!!

Happy Holidays,

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