History & Wine

It’s not a complete weekend without a few nice bottles of wine, amiright?

Here is a sampling of some of the wines enjoyed between Friday and Monday. Although, admittedly, there were a few more…

Lucien Albrecht Crémant d’Alsace Brut

Wine.com for $18.99 (sale price)

I decided to open this absolutely lovely crémant because of my intense sparkling craving on Saturday night. This was following a wonderful bottle of Champagne Telmont we enjoyed with dinner on Friday night. It seems that one great bottle of Champagne can really give you the itch for more.

There was no Champagne in the house, so crémant it was! But this was not a consolation prize. On the contrary, this was the perfect bubbly to quench my craving.

Anyone familiar with Lucien Albrecht and their wines from France’s Alsace region knows that this is a top bottle of traditional method sparkling. And for less than $20 on wine.com at the moment, this is an absolute steal, really. I promise, it will more than satiate your fancy fizz needs.

This particular crémant is comprised of Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, and Pinot Auxerrois grapes. The bubbles are super fine and the fruit is fresh –apples, pears. Definitely has that French-y brioche and a creamy texture. Swish it around to coat your mouth with the brilliance of this refreshing, yet very food-friendly wine.

Enjoyed with homemade mushroom tacos topped with a bit of spicy pico de gallo. The wine held nicely both in weight, but also with the right amount of residual sugar (8.6g) to complement, not compete with a touch of spice.

Pasetti ‘Testarossa’ Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, 2019

Available in Italy (sorry)

I usually reserve Montepulciano d’Abruzzo for pizza night, but decided to crack this one open with some homemade pasta and meat sauce.

Let’s just start with the fact that I made this pasta on my own. Usually, I’m simply sommelier in the house, but this dish was all mine for once.

Lean ground beef with minced garlic, Carbone Arrabbiata pasta sauce (which also has a tiny bit of heat to it), and regular spaghetti noodles.

OK, it doesn’t sound like much to you, but I made this meal, and that’s something I don’t make a habit of doing.

The wine was actually divine with the pasta. Deep, inky purple, with ultra ripe black fruit like blackberries and plum and a velvety texture in the palate. The finish is long and rich with both fruit and some well integrated spice from some oak. Moody, brooding and a more serious Montepulciano than others I’ve had in the past. Definitely an enjoyable bottle with a dish that feels very Italian.

It looks like the bottle retails for about $22, but is currently not available in the U.S. I received the bottle as a sample. Lucky me.

Domaine Bousquet Organic Brut Rosé 

Wine.com for $11.99 (sale price)

I’ve written about Domaine Bousquet several times throughout the years. It’s easy to do, as this Argentine winery in the Tupungato area of Uco Valley in Mendoza is an easy one to compliment.

Anne Bousquet and her husband, Labid Al-Ameri, run an incredible business. Both in terms of their commitment to sustainability, not only with the land, but also with care to those who work at the winery and live in the community, but Domaine Bousquet also makes some of the top organic value wines around. In my opinion.

This sparkling rosé is 75% Pinot Noir and 25% Chardonnay and a pretty pale pink. It is made in the Charmat method, just like a prosecco.

The bubbles are fine and the fruit is dominated by red berries, like summer strawberries and raspberry. A touch of citrus on the palate and finish, presented in a lighter body than say, the crémant, but that is to be expected with two very different sparkling wine production styles. This rosé is made in stainless steel the whole time, giving it a natural freshness that is not blended with any flavors or textures of oak. 8.2g of residual sugar.

Honestly, this is all you need in a summer sparkling. It is hot as hell outside (literally), and this wine chilled down can be quite the antidote to relentless summer days. And on sale now on wine.com for $11.99. Easy drinking and easy on the wallet. Well done!