Today we are heading back home to the States, as we focus on California Sparkling Wine!
California may be the state that produces the most wine domestically, but did you know the first sparkling wine made in America was actually in Ohio? Please note that some of the wines in the “Around the World in Seven Days of Sparkling Wine” were provided to me as trade samples.
In 1842 Nicholas Longworth, who made wine as an alternative to hard liquor during the Temperance Movement, accidentally made sparkling wine when some of his wine went through secondary fermentation.
I’d say that was a happy accident…
Now, while multiple states across the US make sparkling wine, California produces the most with over 300 wineries that make sparkling wine in a variety of styles.
With so many options to choose from, I decided I wanted to show you something local.
I present Caraccioli Cellars 2015 Brut Cuvée from the Santa Lucia Highlands here in Monterey County.
This is the first vintage sparkler I’ve included on the list, which means all of the grapes used in the wine were harvested in 2015.
The grapes for Caraccioli Brut Cuvée were handpicked from Escolle Vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands.
Fun fact: this vineyard is SIP Certified for sustainable practices.
If you’ve been following me for a while, you’ll remember I visited Escolle Vineyards during Caraccioli’s Bubble Bus event where we tried several vintages.
The Brut Cuvée is 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir and made in the traditional method. The dosage is 8.0g/l and the wine aged on the lees for 4 years and then aged an additional 18 months before release.
I found this wine to have notes of apple, lemon and creamy brioche with very fine, tiny bubbles and a delicate mousse.
If you’re visiting Monterey and Carmel, make sure to stop in Caraccioli Cellars’ tasting room in Carmel-by-the-sea.
