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 Domaine Ste. Michelle Blanc de Noirs Sparkling Wine
By Kori ~ December 31st, 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 Domaine Ste. Michelle Blanc de Noirs Sparkling Wine 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 tonight than with a good sparkling wine with a great QPR? And the Blanc de Noirs is the best 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 very good bubbly is especially appropriate.
“Rosé sparkling wines are original not only because of their color, but also their vinous character. Blanc de Noirs is a beautiful salmon pink wine, with a persistent column of small bubbles. A delicate sparkler, with strawberry impressions coming through in the nose, and on the palate. The initial impression is dry, with a soft and fruity aftertaste.†–Winemaker Rick Casqueiro
NV Domaine Ste. Michelle Blanc de Noirs Sparkling Wine (Columbia Valley, Washington): Pale salmon in color. Quite aromatic with strawberry, apricot, and yeast aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied with crisp acidity and a long finish. A nice, refreshing bubbly.
Quality: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Fred Meyer (Seattle), $13.19 (on sale $7.99); Available elsewhere, $8 to $15
Filed under: A Wine for Tonight, Five-Bangs For Your Buck Wines, Rose Wine, Sparkling Wine, Washington State Wine, Wines Under $10, Wines Under $15, Wines Under $20, Wines Under $25
