Alcohol: 12.3%
Grape(s): 100% Chardonnay
Localization: North Coast, California, USA
Tasting Notes: The Blanc de Blancs has lifted aromas of fresh apples, lemon-lime and warm wheat toast, intermingled with hints of baked pineapple and toasted almonds. It’s vibrant flavors of Meyer lemon and Granny Smith apples bring a nice tartness to the mid-palate, leading to a clean, bright finish.
Notes: Blanc de Blancs (white from whites), made from Chardonnay, is the counterpart to the Blanc de Noirs (white from blacks), made from Pinot Noir. Blanc de Blancs was the first wine Schramsberg produced in 1965 and was America’s first commercially produced Chardonnay-based brut sparkling wine. Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs gained international recognition in 1972 when then President Nixon served the wine at the historic “Toast to Peace” in Beijing, China. The Schramsberg style of Blanc de Blancs is dry and crisp. Small lots of barrel fermented wines, some of which complete malolactic fermentation, are added to the stainless-steel fermented wines to create added complexity in the blended base wine. After undergoing a second fermentation in bottle, the wine then ages on its yeast lees for about two years prior to disgorgement. With its vibrant, fruitful and focused nature, this sparkling wine will maintain its freshness, structure and refined finish for many years, even decades following its initial release.
Food Pairing: While this wine can be enjoyed by itself as an apéritif, it is also perfect with fresh oysters and other shellfish, crab cakes, ceviche and grilled sea bass. It is also delicious with lemon chicken and Thai curries. Serve with aged Gouda or other hard cheeses, and as a counterpoint to soft triple creams.
The Domain: Schramsberg sparkling wines are produced from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes grown in a broad array of cool-climate North Coast vineyards located in Napa, Mendocino, Sonoma and Marin counties. The winemakers draw from more than 66 specific vineyard sites, with 121 different blocks, to create over 250 base wines each year. These wines are then artfully blended to create Schramsberg’s 12-14 distinctive sparkling wines each year.
Over 66 specific vineyard sites, with 121 different blocks, were sourced from in the harvest. Four coastal counties: Napa, Sonoma, Marin and Mendocino.
Flora: A cross between Gewürztraminer and Semillon. Focus of Crémant Demi-sec.
Each block is planted according to the winemaking team’s needs, with the character of the ultimate wine in mind.
Site Selection: Cooler locations with proximity to the bay and ocean have yielded sparkling wine grapes of more intense fruit flavor and elevated acidity.
