Sparkling Wine
 

Best Sparkling Wine

 

The Fifty Best Sparkling Wine Tasting 2023

 

The Tasting:
The Fifty Best held a “blind” tasting of 8 sparkling wines with 9 members of our wine judging panel. The order of service was established beforehand by lottery. Strict tasting rules were applied. Each of the sparklers were poured into fresh glasses from new sealed bottles and served well chilled. Only ice water and crusty peasant bread were available to cleanse the palate.

The judges wrote down their impressions of each wine on score sheets. The scoring was based on a 5-point system, with 5 as the highest. Double-Gold, Gold and Silver medals are awarded according to a set range of final point scores received from the judges. There were no Bronze medals awarded for this tasting. Medals are provided based entirely on merit and only to products judged worthy of such award.

The tasting notes that follow are summaries of the judges’ opinions, with all replicated commentary eliminated. Clicking on the brands' names will link to their websites.

DOUBLE-GOLD MEDAL WINNERS

JCB by Boisset No. 21 Brut
Cremant de Bourgogne

(France)

Aroma: Fresh apple, green apple, fresh pear, fresh melon, grapefruit, lemon, lemon zest, lime, citrus, hint of fresh apricot, subtle vanilla, French bread, wet rocks, mineral, bright, crisp.

Palate: Golden apple, Green apple, lemon, lemon/lime, grapefruit, citrus, stone fruit, peach, banana, white flower, vanilla, oaky, fresh, crisp, effervescent, refreshing.

Finish: Lemon, lemon verbena, grapefruit, green apple, pear, fresh white grapes, melon, bread crust, mineral, touch of smoke, nice finish, well balanced, would buy this, soft, rich, elegant.

Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



JCB by Boisset No. 21 Brut Cremant de Bourgogne



Rivarose Brut Prestige
Méditérranée

(Salon de Provence, France)

Aroma: Lemon, lemon curd, grapefruit, fresh citrus zest, citrus, Fuji apple, honeysuckle, lovely white floral, florals, vanilla, pastry cream, eucalyptus, minerality, oak aging.

Palate: Golden apple, Honeycrisp apple, ripe green apple, lemon squeeze, lemon zest, citrus, hint of kiwi, strawberry, cranberry, rhubarb, nectarine, peaches & cream, honeycomb, elderflower, vanilla, light minerality, smoky, oak, understated.

Finish: Strawberry, nectarine, juicy, citrus, green apple candy, complex, tart, tangy, robust, fresh & bright, silky, a perfect summer sipper, elegant.


Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



Rivarose Brut Prestige Méditérranée



GOLD MEDAL WINNERS

JCB by Boisset No. 69 Rosé Brut
Cremant de Bourgogne

(France)

Aroma: Strawberry, raspberry, red berries, plum, green apple, melon, tangy lime, rose, rose petal, rose flower, floral, minerality, nice bubbles.

Palate: Strawberry, strawberry jam, raspberry, red plum, pear, Golden apple, lemon, squeeze of lemon, elderflower, mineral, crushed granite, clean throughout, tart, tangy, birthday party sweetness, very approachable.

Finish: Strawberry, red berries, tart cherry, newly mowed field, crisp, fresh, a porch sipper, nice, soft, elegant.

Gold Medal
Gold medal



JCB by Boisset No. 69 Rosé Brut



Candoni Family Prosecco DOC Extra Dry
(Italy)

Aroma: Lemon zest, lime, light citrus, 7-UP, bright white flowers, caramel, banana cream pie, fresh whipped cream, mineral, wet stone, crisp, fresh.

Palate: Lemon, lime, grapefruit, lively citrus, lemon curd, orange marmalade, kiwi, honeydew melon, peach, white peach, banana cream, pastry cream, baked bread, jammy mouthfeel, fresh, crisp, refreshing.

Finish: Lemon, pink grapefruit, green melon, strawberry, red berries, ripe fruit, baked fruit, oaky, lingering sweetness, fresh, soft, zingy, rich, flavorful, appealing, would buy this.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



Candoni Family Prosecco DOC Extra Dry



Tosti Asti Dolce DOCG
(Italy)

Aroma: Golden apple, lychee, tropical fruit, white grape, lemon, honeycomb, honey, sweet cream, Moscato, complex.

Palate: Sweet baked Golden apple, lychee carries through, kiwi, pear, melon, peach cream, sweet pastry cream, pastry dough, honeycomb, sweet dark honey, Moscato, concentrated, soft.

Finish: Hazelnut cream, bread dough, lingering Moscato, balanced sugars, pleasantly sweet, dessert, good bubbles, very fun, elegant.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



Tosti Asti Dolce DOCG



SILVER MEDAL WINNERS

Mas de Daumas Gassac
Rosé Frizant 2022 Extra Brut

(France)

Aroma: Raspberry, strawberry, ripe red plum, pink bubblegum, peach, ripe pear, apple, honeydew, lemon, citrus, lavender, very intense, clean, fresh..

Palate: Strawberry, red berry mix, strawberry/raspberry preserves, jammy, candy apple, cherry, young peach, nectarine, slightly tart apple, tangerine, honey comb, mint, sweetness, complex, fresh, crisp, great summer sparkler.

Finish: Honey, mineral, oak, complex, nice body, creamy, clean, bright, refreshing, approachable, elegant.

Silver Medal
Silver medal



Mas de Daumas Gassac Rosé Frizant Extra Brut



Tosti Prosecco DOC
(Italy)

Aroma: Young Asian pear, some lychee, pear, very mild peach, banana, honey, faint honeycomb, floral notes, subtle honey, bread, mineral, wet granite, steel.

Palate: Golden Delicious apple, tart green apple, pear, pear skin, lemon, lemon peel, birthday cake, minerality, subtle sparkles.

Finish: Ripe pear, white pear, blueberry muffins, bread, clean, soft, fresh, tart, crisp.


Silver Medal
Silver medal



Tosti Prosecco DOC



Lorenzi Estate Bella Mia Napa Valley Brut
(California)

Aroma: Apple, sparkling apple cider, peach, citrus, tropical fruits, lemon curd, elderflower, white flowers, cinnamon, mineral, soft.

Palate: Crisp Golden apple, green apple, poached pears, pineapple, melon, citrus, honey, slight hint of ginger, floral, tropical, minerality, tart, crisp, refreshing.

Finish: Green apple, lemon zest, vanilla pudding, mineral, slate, lingering tartness, refreshing.


Silver Medal
Silver medal



Lorenzi Estate Bella Mia Napa Valley Brut

 

 

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