Attributes:

Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin

Reims, France

Brut

750 ML

Food Matches:

A French term meaning "crude" or "raw". Used widely for sparkling wines to indicate one that tastes bone dry. Particularly dry wines may also be labelled brut natur(e).

Reims (Rheims) is a city of the Champagne-Ardenne region in northern France located 89 miles east-northeast of Paris. It was founded by the Gauls and became a major city during the period of the Roman Empire. Reims has played a very important role in French history, as it was the place where kings like Charles VII were crowned. Besides the rich history Reims is world-famous for its sparkling wine. Many of the largest Champagne producing houses, known as les grandes marques, have their headquarters in Reims where Champagne is aged in the maze of caves and tunnels under the city.

Attributes:

Villa Sparina

Gavi, Italy

Brut

750 ML

Food Matches:

A French term meaning "crude" or "raw". Used widely for sparkling wines to indicate one that tastes bone dry. Particularly dry wines may also be labelled brut natur(e).

Attributes:

Sonoma Vineyards

Sonoma County, United States

Sauvignon Blanc

750 ML

Food Matches:

Comes mostly from California, France, New Zealand, and South Africa. Its highly acidic wines are often suggestive of herbs or grass. Light to medium bodied and usually dry, European versions are generally not oaky while California Sauvignon Blanc can take on many of the qualities of Chardonnay. France has two classic wine regions for the Sauvignon Blanc gape: Bordeaux and the Loire Valley The Bordeaux wine is called Bordeaux Blanc and the two best known of the Loire wines are called Sancerre or Pouilly-Fumé. In Bordeaux, Sauvignon Blanc is sometimes blended with Sémillon.

Like its neighbor Napa, Sonoma is a small area filled with independent wineries and characterized by microclimates that vary according to the topography. The coolest parts of Sonoma are the fog-filled south, where the grape varieties are Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Northwards up the valley the climate warms and provides a good base for Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel. In general Sonoma wines are less dramatically flavorful than those of Napa. Cabernet Sauvignon is relatively soft, with blackcurrant fruit, minty and eucalyptus perfume, and some soft buttery oak. Zinfandel ranges from soft and gulpable to massive bramble and pepper styles. Chardonnay is rich and juicy, especially from the Russian River, and Sauvignon Blanc can be zingy and grassy. Most Sonoma wines have a freshness and a soft edge which makes them very suitable for drinking on their own, however they partner well with strongly flavored fish and meat dishes. The old-style Zinfandels are delicious with spicy cuisine.