Best American Sparkling Wine: Mumm Napa Brut Prestige 187ml
Region: Napa Valley, California, USA | ABV: 12.5% | Tasting Notes: Dry, apple, citrus, vanilla
True Champagnes cannot be made in America, but many wineriesparticularly in Californiaspecialize in the sparkling wine style. Situated in the famed Napa Valley, Mumm Napa is the home to G.H. Mumms U.S. operations. While theyre made far away from the French winerys famous Champagnes, these wines maintain the quality associated with the Mumm name.
The best-known of the portfolio is Brut Prestige. Made primarily of chardonnay and pinot noir grapes, the California sparkling wine has the creamy crispness and brilliant bubbles that make Champagne irresistible. Though theyre among the priciest mini bottles youll find, drinking this dry sparkler is a memorable experience.
Small Bottles Big On Taste
- Steve MacNaull
JoieFarm Winery on the Naramata Bench has released three vintages in small-format 375-ml bottles, 2019 PTC red, left, 2019 A Noble Blend white and 2019 Brut Quotidien.
Believe it or not, there are some evenings my wife, Kerry, and I open a bottle of wine and dont finish it there and then.
Of course, we can pump the air out of the bottle, recork it and save the remainder for the next day.
But, wouldnt it be nice if there was a half-size bottle for such occasions?
Such a bottle would provide one generous glass each.
Or, such a bottle would do nicely if youre the only one drinking wine or a couple or group wants to try a couple or several wines over dinner or throughout the evening.
Well, JoieFarm Winery on the Naramata Bench is on the same page.
It has released three wines in half-size, 375-ml bottles that Kerry has dubbed the cutest ever.
The 2019 A Noble Blend is named after the cuvees of aromatic varietals made in the Alsace region of France near the German border.
In Joies case, its a fresh and off-dry blend of Gewurztraminer, Riesling, Pinot Auxerrois and Muscat.
The 2019 PTG is also fashioned on a French tradition, in this case, passe-tout-grains, the blending of two light red wines, Pinot Noir and Gamay.
Quotidien is also French and means your daily ration, which is a nice tie in for the 2019 Brut Quotidien, an affordable and approachable sparkling wine made for everyday sipping.
Order at JoieFarm.com.
Stags for fall and winter
Woodbridge Mondavi Pinot Grigio
Woodbridge Pinot Grigio is a refreshing white wine thats perfect for all occasions. It has an aroma of nectarine, fresh peach, and citrus think summer in your glass!
This white wine is crafted using grapes sourced from Californias north valley vineyards, producing a balanced blend that will keep you refreshed and feeling crisp.
This cold-fermented Pinot Grigio tastes best slightly chilled for an enhanced aroma, with its fresh flavor remaining undiluted.
Its bright and acidic flavors are perfect for pairing with seafood or other dishes like Thai food that will keep you cool in any situation. This versatile wine also has a delicious balance of acidity to make it taste great when paired with roast chicken, cheese plates, and many more.
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For Peak Freshness You Can Use Gadgets To Preserve Leftover Wine Or You Can Track Down These 375
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Consider this: more than a quarter of Canadian adults now live alone, continuing an upward trend that has existed for decades. National alcohol drinking guidelines recommend no more than two glasses of wine per day for women and three for men. And all wine should be consumed the day its opened for optimal freshness. Yet the vast majority is still sold in 750-mL format, which contains more than five standard servings.
Half-bottle formats are far more practical for obvious reasons. Yet only about 2 per cent of table wines in General List at the LCBO come in that size 24 labels to be exact. Its not an anomaly. The 375-mL size is rare in other markets, too.
So whats a wine drinker to do?
Many gadgets promise to preserve leftover wine by sucking out the oxygen or blanketing the surface with inert gas. But the best and easiest way is this: immediately after opening your favourite bottle, pour half into an empty 375 mL one and cork it, minimizing the amount of headspace. Then, put it in the fridge to slow chemical reactions. Its a trick I learned while studying wine and spirits in London, and it has served me well for many years.
Immediate transfer is best because each time you pour a glass, you introduce more oxygen into the wine, inadvertently oxidizing the remaining portion a process thats accelerated if the wine is sitting on a warm counter or table.
Tiny bottles worth your time
2014 Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio Valdadige, 375 mL
SCORE: 90
SCORE: 89
Mot & Chandon Imperial Mini Bottle
When we think of Moët Impérial, the first words that come to mind are bright and unique. This champagne embodies what it means for a beverage to be luxurious. It has an elegant maturity that distinguishes its palate from other brands in the market.
The champagne bubbles tantalize the tongue while a refreshing fruit aroma tingles on the nose. The bouquet of citrus and green apples is enticing as it dances across your taste buds during this delightful tasting experience.
From the striking black to the elegant gold wrapper, these Moët & Chandon Imperial Mini Bottles are sure to wow any party guests. They make a stunning addition as festive goodie bags or for stocking stuffers this holiday season!
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La Marca Mini Prosecco
The fresh, citrusy taste of La Marca makes it the perfect sparkling wine to serve and enjoy any occasion. It is light, bubbly, and sure to be an ideal addition to your next gathering.
This sparkling wine is from the La Marca Trevigiana zone in Italys Prosecco region. The winery, which started some 40 years ago, combines traditional and contemporary practices for crafting award-winning wines that capture every drop of this precious land in one sip.
Rated as among Wine Spectators Top 100 Wines, we know youll want to taste them too! This exquisite Prosecco wine is light and refreshing with a fresh, floral aroma.
The taste of ripe citrus fruits like lemon creates the complex flavor profile that many enjoy so much about this sparkling Italian delight. This versatile wine pairs well with food or just sipping on its own for an elegant experience youll never forget!
Chandon Sweet Star Mini Sparkling Wines
These mini Sweet Star sparkling wine bottles are great for holiday gatherings or bachelorette party favors. Theyre festive and delicious, with a slightly sweet taste thats not too overpowering.
This wine is a delightful mixture of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir and has an unbelievably soft texture. You can drink it by itself or pour some in your favorite cocktail to add extra flair.
A specially designed wine, this one has floral notes that complement its semi-sweet flavor. Its also presented in single-serve bottles so you can take them with you anywhere.
Sweet Star is a superb match for spicy dishes, such as Thai curry, Jamaican jerk chicken, or a spiced mango salad accompanying Pad Thai. It adds an element of sweetness that makes any meal taste better than before.
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Foss Marai Roos Brut Vino Spumante Rosato
The Roos Brut by Foss Marai is a dry wine with light strawberries and pears. It has a medium to full body, good texture, and creamy finish.
It embodies the perfect synergy of black grapes grown in Puglia. These vines, which are also responsible for the beautiful pink coral and great body and texture, impart incredible flavor to this refreshing white wine with an intriguing personality.
With its strong character, its an obvious parallel that Roos in Dutch means rose – the flower of love! The perfect accompaniment for your aperitif, this wine is made to go with cold meats and can be enjoyed all day long.
Cavit Pinot Grigio Mini Bottles
Suppose youre looking for a way to chill on your road trip, pick up one of your favorite books and grab yourself an ice-cold Cavit Pinot Grigio. Youll have enough in that four-pack mini bottle collection to share with another passenger.
The Cavit Pinot Grigio is from the #1 Italian Wine in America with light, refreshing flavors and aroma of citrus, green apple, or melon. It comes from three ideal locations: Trentino, Friuli, and Veneto. These areas have exceptional soil conditions, which make them perfect vineyards to cultivate grapes in these regions.
The grapes used are carefully selected and then vinified utilizing cold fermentation in state-of-the-art Thermo conditioning tanks. This keeps the natural 100% Pinot Grigio fruit, as well as preserving its incomparable freshness.
The Cavit Pinot Grigio is a beautiful choice for an appetizer. Its equally superb with dishes like pasta in cream sauces, risottos, veal, and chicken or seafood. For wine lovers you know who love to have options on hand – try some mini bottles of this delicious white!
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Riondo Prosecco Spago Nero Mini Bottle
The crisp, juicy taste of Riondo Prosecco Spago Nero might just be synonymous with the word celebratory. Even if it’s a grand event, youll be sure to impress your guests with this effervescent and refreshing Italian wine.
Prosecco Spago Nero is a light, refreshing wine that offers the delicate aromas of flowers and tastes just as fantastic! This lovely sparkling drink can be enjoyed any time of day to create an unforgettable experience.
These wine bottles convenient 187 mL size are perfect for trips to the scenic train or weekend getaway.
Best Sparkling Ros: Cavit Lunetta Ros 187ml
Region: Veneto, Italy | ABV: 12% | Tasting Notes: Off-dry, strawberries
Sparkling rosé wines are not as readily available in splits but there are some fun finds. When youre in the mood for a bubbly pink, try Lunetta from Cavit. The northern Italy winemaker produces a variety of wines using sustainable practices, both in the vineyards and winery, and has a huge following in the United States.
In mini bottles, this pretty pink wine is an excellent gift or party favor and is especially fitting for showers. Its that ideal balance of sweet and dry that appeals to wine lovers of all tastes, and its hard to resist the strawberry notes signature to rosés when its this well-done. A light sparkle is the perfect finishing touch, ensuring it will please anyone who tries it.
Region: Piedmont, Italy | ABV: 5.5% | Tasting Notes: Sweet honey, stone fruit, tangerine
Sparkling wines lean toward the dry side, so finding a sweet wineespecially in miniature bottlesis tricky. Theres almost always a moscato to save the day, though. These are not the bubbliest of the lot but they are delicious and Risata Moscato dAsti is one that your sweet tooth will crave.
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Wlffer Estate Petite Ros Verjus
A millennial-favorite among this list, these mini wine bottles are both pretty and cute, a very Instagrammable item.
When you drink this excellent wine, grab a glass and take in its bright salmon rosé color. Each sip brings a sweet pear, fresh peach as well as hints of apple and lemon flavors that dance on your tongue, making it a genuinely refreshing summertime wine.
This wine is light and fresh with a nice balance of flavor. The fruit, natural sugar, and acidity all work together to create a perfect mouthfeel.
A much more versatile drink than most wines, you can enjoy it with any meal or use it in cooking, sauces, and dressings to add elegance and flavor!
Best Mini Can: Francis Coppola Sofia Mini Blanc De Blancs 187ml
Region: Monterey County, California, USA | ABV: 11.5% | Tasting Notes: Off-dry, tart, melon
Canned wine is not just a passing fad and you can find many impressive wines when you think outside the bottle. While many winemakers choose the standard 12-ounce cans, thats a lot of wine and its easy to drink it like a beer. For that reason, mini cans are a brilliant option thats catching on to this trend. Californias Francis Ford Coppola Winery focuses on the small cans.
The Sofia Mini Blanc de Blanc is the winerys sparkling option. Made with a pinot blanc, riesling, and muscat grape blend, its crisp and delicately sparkling. Against the off-dry palate, youll find sweet summer fruit flavors like melon and pear. Its a lovely and lively wine, and comes with its own straw.
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In Defense Of The Half
If asked, I imagine most people would admit that when they walk into a wine store, they fly right by the half-bottle section. In fact, a lot of people probably do not even realize it is there. That was certainly the case for me for many years. The half-bottle of wine is nothing if not underappreciated.
It makes some sense when you think about it. I mean, its a weird in-between size less than a full bottle but more than the single-serving cans of wine that have become so popular lately. The selection is usually limited and on top of that, the half-bottle doesnt really lend itself to specific occasions or circumstances. By that I mean, no one heads to a wine store thinking, I really need a half-bottle.
With all of that said, I would argue that the half-bottle is actually one of the wine industrys biggest utility players. Its the unsung hero, if you will. Sure, its not as elegant as a full bottle nor is it as fun to buy. But utility players are not known for being showy or commanding all the glory. No, utility players by definition are players that come through in a clutch, no matter what the situation. And that to me is exactly what makes the half-bottle so great.
Classic Modern Bottles For Every Wine
Whether youre relaxing at home or holding a party, wine bottles are the ultimate packaging for homebrewed wines from Chardonnay to mead. The Cary Company carries a full range of empty wine bottles, such as Bellissima, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Claret, Hock, and even Champagne bottles. Choose from smaller wine sample bottles to larger premium styles that range from 187 ml to 1.5 liter with cork, 28-400, or crown/pry-off finishes. These glass wine bottles are available in many popular colors with a punt or standard base. Wine bottles can also be used for gift-giving, crafts, or decoration. Make sure you visit our vast selection of Wine Corks including Colmated, Technical, Agglomerated, Synthetic, and Natural Wine Corks.For multiple pallets or truck load pricing, please call for a quote.
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Ruinart Brut Ros Mini Champagne
This 375 mL half bottle of rosé mini Champagne from France is a perfect party starter for any social gathering with its gorgeous salmon pink hue and crisp red berry flavor.
Ruinart Rosé consists of 55% Pinot Noir and 45% Chardonnay. Made from the best vintages, all grapes come exclusively from premiers crus vineyards, where basket-by-basket selection makes for an unsurpassed quality product.
A stream of fine and delicate bubbles await your nose, followed by an unmistakable aroma that reminds you of freshly gathered red berries. On first taste, youll experience an excellent opening with balanced flavors giving it great elegance for its lightness in flavor – perfect for those looking for subtlety overpower!
Ruinart Rosé is a delight to drink throughout your meal. It complements most dishes, from an Italian prosciutto appetizer to salmon and duck breast for dinner.
Sutter Home Red Blend
Enjoy this blend of Zinfandel, Merlot, and Cabernet with your next dinner party. The rich aroma will fill the air, while its smooth taste is perfect for a night filled with good company.
This wine is deep, dark red, and smells of fresh cherries. Its flavor profile includes sweet vanilla with hints of berries for a luxurious flavor perfect for drinking at any social event or celebration.
This wine is also ideal for toasting your next special occasion with a mouthfeel thats as smooth and luxurious as the finest silk. Winemakers employ an aggressive early pump-over regimen to extract softer tannins while enhancing the flavor of their beverage with each sip.
When you are hosting a dinner party, pair this wine with any of your favorite dishes, from pasta and burgers to Brussels sprouts!
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Wlffer No 139 Dry Ros Cider
This might just be the pink drink of your dreams! Wölffer Estate Vineyards No. 139 Dry Rosé Cider, made from hand-picked apples grown in upstate New York, is just sweet enough to be a fantastic summertime beverage.
No. 139 Dry Ciders are the go-to beverage based on their lively acidity and fresh flavor. It is an excellent match for any occasion, whether paired with an appetizer or main course dish!
With only 6.9% ABV per bottle is perfect for those who want to drink all day long without getting too drunk. We recommend consuming this cider chilled to accompany hors doeuvres, cheese, and fruits. Enjoy it served on its own as well!
Is There A Future For Half
It was pretty early on in my time out selling Tablas Creek, before, I think, I’d even moved out to Paso Robles. I went to a terrific restaurant in Washington, DC, and got into a conversation with the owner and wine buyer. We were talking about what her favorite bottles were to recommend on her list, and she said that if people were open to it, her favorite bottle wasn’t a single bottle… it was two different half-bottles, one of which was the Coudoulet de Beaucastel. This, she said, gave her guests the chance to pair different wines with first and main courses, and offered more diversity and value than wines by the glass. I’ve always remembered that conversation, and we’ve bottled our Esprit de Tablas and Esprit de Tablas Blanc in half-bottles since before they were called Esprit de Beaucastel and Esprit de Beaucastel Blanc.
At the same time, half-bottles aren’t easy. I had a Twitter exchange last week with Amber LeBeau, whose SpitBucket Blog is becoming a must-read piece of the conversation on wine, at least for me. She was suggesting that half-bottles should be well positioned to take advantage of the consumer’s growing interest in moderation, and wondered how much more it cost wineries to make them. to see the whole thread:
Oh, and I should mention that we dont sell the wine for 2/3 the price because if we did customers would never buy it. So we sell it for essentially half plus a dollar and eat the rest of the extra cost.
Jason Haas May 29, 2019
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