A Wine for Tonight: NV Domaine Ste. Michelle Blanc de Blancs (#WAWine)



By Kori ~ June 3rd, 2010.

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 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

For those who haven’t heard, tonight there is a virtual tasting event featuring Washington wine. Hosted by Josh Wade of Drink Nectar and 13 other Washington wine writers including me, #WAWine (the event’s Twitter hashtag) is a virtual event in which hopefully thousands of people from all around the world will be simultaneously tasting Washington wine and talking about it via Twitter, Facebook, and at on-location events.

Since we are diehard advocates for Washington wine, we think that an event centered on Washington wine is reason for celebration. Therefore, I think that it is appropriate for us to recommend a Washington sparkling wine to you so that you can participate if you’d like. We’re hosting a small gathering of friends for the event, and we’ll be kicking it off with this bubbly.

The Blanc de Blancs is one of 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.

“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 a Chardonnay.” –Winemaker Rick Casqueiro

So go to your local wine shop, pick up a bottle of this NV Domaine Ste. Michelle Sparkling Wine or any Washington wine, log on to Twitter between 5 and 8pm PDT tonight, and participate in the #WAWine event. You’ll find me on Twitter @winepeeps.

And, even if you have no interest in participating in the virtual event, this is a great bottle to enjoy with tonight’s dinner or just because.

NV Domaine Ste. Michelle Blanc de Blancs Sparkling Wine (Columbia Valley, Washington): Pale, greenish straw yellow. Very aromatic with citrus and grassy notes. More citrus fruits, lemon zest, and some minerality come through on the palate. Dry, 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, $8 to $11


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

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