A Wine for Tonight: NV Domaine Ste. Michelle Blanc de Blancs



By Kori ~ December 29th, 2011.

Would you like a quick suggestion for a good wine to drink tonight (or this weekend) that won’t break your budget and is widely available? Many of our readers have said this is something they would like, so here is this week’s selection, the NV Domaine Ste. Michelle Blanc de Blancs from the Columbia Valley of Washington State.

Our selection criteria include:

  • A very good Quality rating of >=3.5 stars (out of 5)
  • A price tag of <=$15
  • Must be widely available

What’s a better way to ring in the New Year this weekend than with a good sparkling wine with a great QPR? The Blanc de Blancs is one of an excellent array of value sparkling wines from Domaine Ste. Michelle. Producing sparkling wines for over thirty years, Domaine Ste. Michelle is one of the largest sparkling wine houses in the United States, producing more than 300,000 cases each year. Rick Casqueiro has been head winemaker since 1994. Given the current state of our economy, I believe that celebrating the New Year with such an economical yet excellent bubbly is especially appropriate.

“Blanc de Blancs is made primarily from Chardonnay and has essentially the same fruit profile. Try substituting our Blanc de Blancs the next time you think about serving Chardonnay.” –Winemaker Rick Casqueiro

NV Domaine Ste. Michelle Blanc de Blancs (Columbia Valley, Washington): Pale, greenish straw yellow. Very aromatic with honeysuckle and white peach on the nose. More white peach, pear, and floral notes come through on the palate. Dry, light to medium-bodied and crisp with small, fairly fast bubbles, and a long finish.
Quality: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Received as sample, suggested retail $12; Available elsewhere, $9 to $15


Filed under: A Wine for Tonight, American Wine, Five-Bangs For Your Buck Wines, Sparkling Wine, Washington State Wine, Wines Under $15, Wines Under $20, Wines Under $25

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