Sparkling tasting

Three flights: first - zero dosage, second - BdB, third - no rules. It was a blind tasting with a voting.

Drappier and Recaredo tied for the first place, Portugal was quite close.

• 2007 Recaredo Cava Recaredo Subtil Gran Reserva Brut Nature 90 Points

  Spain, Cava

  Very light and airy. Brioche, green apples, lemon on the nose. Mild bitterness on the finish. Gentle and mild in style. (B+)

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• NV Drappier Champagne Brut Nature Dosage Zero 89 Points

  France, Champagne

  Quite a lot of bubbles, rose hue, 100% PN is quite obvious. Flowery, stonefruits on the nose - may be peaches, somewhat coarse - strong caracter of PN. (B+)

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• 2004 Quinta das Bágeiras Bairrada Espumante Grande Reserva Bruto Natural 87 Points

  Portugal, Beiras, Bairrada

  Deeper yellow colour. Nose of sea and oysters, very mineral. This was very different from the rest of the set, lovely oily texture. The nose also had notes of gasoline and iodine, but not too much, it was even interesting, may be it was reduction? Also curry and jerez notes as well as butter. Very interesting, different and peculiar. I would gladly have another bottle and savour it longer. (B)

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Jacquart won by 1 vote to cava. Portugal was unanimously the worst in this flight.

• NV Filipa Pato 3B Blanc de Blancs 83 Points

  Portugal, Beiras, Bairrada

  An orange hue. Flowery nose, quite straightforward and simple. Same flowery palate, white fruit, a bit cloying finish. Must be drunk cold or it gets too sweet. (B-)

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• 2005 Jacquart Champagne Blanc de Blancs Millésimé 90 Points

  France, Champagne

  Reserved nose, roasted hazelnuts, mild, some light buttery notes. This was quite good and elegant. (B+)

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• 2006 Gramona Cava Brut Nature III Lustros Gran Reserva 90 Points

  Spain, Cava

  Dust and some herbal peppermint notes on the nose. Also mineral and leesy. Lots of sharp bubbles in the beginning. Powerful and vigorous, very different to the subtle Recaredo Subtil 2007 we had before. (B+)

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DP won this flight hands down, Franciacorta was 2nd, cava close 3rd.

• 2007 Le Marchesine Franciacorta Blanc de Blancs 90 Points

  Italy, Lombardia, Franciacorta DOCG

  Creamy with a toasty element, reminded me of champagne. Very good balance and mouth feel, pleasant sweetness and apricot. (B+)

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• 2004 Gramona Cava Celler Batlle Brut Finca Font de Jui 92 Points

  Spain, Cava

  On the nose the lovely aroma of boiled beef tongue supposedly from barrel, some flowery notes as well as some medicine and iodine. Medium light body, but quite robust and well composed. (A-)

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• 2004 Dom Pérignon Champagne 94 Points

  France, Champagne

  This was excellent even as young as it is now. Meat, toast, sea water minerality on the nose as well as some peppermint (typical DP to me) and may be sweat. Complex taste, rather full body for a champagne, rich. Simply loved it. (A)

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