Wine of the Week – Sparkling Summer Days
It’s summer here in the northern hemisphere, and that means time to crack open the light and easy to drink bottles of wine. For many, it is the time of the year for rose or chardonnay at barbeques and bar terraces. Rose and light whites are undoubtedly great for the long days of summer. For this week’s wine I would like to introduce the idea of sparkling wine for the summer pallet.
A Champagne is always nice, however the cost can be a little high depending on the label and year. As you may know, for a wine to be called Champagne it needs to be made in the Champagne region using the authentic method of the region. Sparkling wines however, are made in many different countries to varying degrees of success. This week I would like to introduce a sparkling wine from inside France but from the Loire Valley region. TheLoire region may not be as well known as Bordeaux or Burgundy, however they produce great wine. Visit most wine bars in Paris and you will find wine from this region very popular there.
The Domaine du Caillou Cremant de Loire is a great summer indulgence, but for under around €10 a bottle, depending where you are. Domaine du Caillou is as branch of the Ackerman-Remy Pannier who are well known wine producer in the Loire.
The dry/brut wine is fantastic summer refreshment. It also goes well with chicken, salmon and other oily fish which do not have a heavy sauce. I find however, it best to pop open a bottle with friends as welcome drink before dinner.
So impress your friends and enjoy the bubbles! It is always great to hear the pop of a good sparkling wine. If you try it or are interested in more information leave a comment below.
Domaine du Caillou
Indeed a very light and easy to drink sparkling wine!! Love it for these summer days!!
Australians know all about sparkling wine and some of the best in Oz are equal to the best from the Champagne region.
Perhaps the major source of quality sparkling down under is from Tasmania where the cool climatic conditions foster the growth of pinot noir and chardonnay.
Saying that, the wine I am currently drinking as I type (and who says you can’t drink and type?) is a Spanish cava from Barcelona- Freixenet. It retails here in Melbourne for A$9.99 if you buy it in dozen lots. It is perfect pre-dinner drink.
Sounds great! Freixent is a bit more expencive here in Europe, but indeed it is a very good value option. The cellar door price for the Cremant is very good value and probably only just above that of the case of cava. However outside the region the price tends to rise. The Tasmainian Sparkling I may need to sample next time I am in Australia!