Hermann J. Wiemer Cuvée Brut

Served at Thanksgiving. Rich, creamy, brioche. Perhaps a bit past its prime but still excellent. Soft bubbles, dark gold color. Had with cheese and apps; paired very well. No more, alas.

Nice fruit - melon and grapefruit. Perfect sparkling wine bubbles. Tasty. Clean finish with some lemon flavors.

First wine of the evening tonight, and quite a memorable one. The cork shot out of the bottle as soon as the cage was unwound. Didn't even get a 16th of a turn and OPA!! Nice little champagne shower as the cork hit the ceiling. The bubbles were little yet were quite present. Nice fruit presence. Grapefruit, kiwi, and melon. The finish had a little bit of lemon tart.

Tasted immediately after a Ruinart Blanc de Blancs, and while they were very different wines, both seemed of comparable quality. This one literally blew cork as soon as the cage was released, and stayed quite carbonated once poured. The orchard fruit was just popping, and this made a fantastic apertif.

Tasted at the winery. Soft open nose showing toast and orchard fruit. A blend of 60% chardonnay, 40% pinot noir. Toast and apple notes upfront and hints of varied orchard fruit behind, providing background complexity. Very good acidity throughout and into and through the finish. Wine comes off as crisp, well defined and polished. A really impressive showing for a Finger Lakes sparkler.