Wine Peeps is an independent wine blog dedicated to helping you get the most bang for your buck in wine. We do this through blind tastings of wine from around the world and calculations of 
A Wine for Tonight: NV Gruet Brut Sparkling Wine
By Kori ~ December 3rd, 2009.
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 Gruet Brut Sparkling Wine from New Mexico.
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
With the holidays rapidly approaching, more and more folks are thinking about sparkling wines. While you don’t need a holiday or a celebration to enjoy some “bubbly,†more sparkling wine is consumed this time of year than any other. Personally, I love sparkling wine. I hope you’ll use this holiday season to try some sparkling wines you haven’t had previously. A good place to start would be this NV Gruet Brut which was one of the favorites from our sparkling wine tasting dinner about this time last year.
Gruet et Fils, a Champagne house in Bethon, France, has been producing fine Champagne since 1952. Members of the Gruet family traveled though the Southwestern United States in the early 1980’s and decided to plant an experimental vineyard in New Mexico. They found the warm, sunny days and cool, desert nights to provide the perfect growing conditions for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Later, some of them moved to New Mexico to expand the family’s winemaking tradition. Their first two wines, released in 1989, followed the strict guidelines of Methode Champenoise. Initial production totaled 5,000 bottles. Twenty years later, Gruet Winery in Albuquerque, New Mexico, sells over 100,000 cases of wine per year and distributes it to 49 states.
“Brilliant with ultra fine bubbles. A wonderful fine bouquet dominated by green apple and grapefruit flavors. A truly classic house style!†–Winemaker Laurent Gruet on the Brut
NV Gruet Brut Sparkling Wine (New Mexico): Distinct aromas of citrus, especially grapefruit, come through on the nose. Smells a lot like a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. Hints of butter and vanilla mingle with the citrus on the palate. Crisp acidity.
Quality: 4 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Pete’s Wine Shop (Seattle, WA), $13; Available elsewhere, $10 to $16
Filed under: A Wine for Tonight, American Wine, Five-Bangs For Your Buck Wines, New Mexico Wine, Sparkling Wine, Wines Under $20, Wines Under $25
Gruet is one of my favorites! If you are ever in Albuquerque, NM visit the tasting room and try the Gruet lineup. If you are picking up this Brut at your favorite store look for Gruet Rose. It carries a similar price but is harder to find because of its limited production. The Rose is mostly pinot noir and has an amazing strawberry and raspberry aroma. Next summer try it with very fresh, organic strawberries and raspberries. You will understand why I refer to this bubbly Rose as ‘affordable seduction’.
Vivian,
Glad to hear you like the Gruet too. I’ll have to keep my eye out for the Gruet Rose. Thanks for the recommendation. Cheers!
Another great review from one of the best quality and most consistent reviewers on the net!
Josh,
Thanks so much! Cheers!