Retail $20. Gamay, Cinsault, Cabernet Sauvignon. I had bought two bottles of this wine and since the in-laws were over (again) I decided there was no time like the present to serve them this "champagne" (it is from France, at least, so it was not a complete fib). No need to go on any further as my last note pretty much nailed it. 87 Points.
Retail $20. Gamay, Cinsault, Cabernet Sauvignon. I drink a ton of sparkling wine. A ton. But I have always shied away from Charles de Fère. Why? Well, it is ubiquitous, does not have an appellation (it is simply a "Vin Mousseux de Qualité" from France), and goes for more than other options with which I am more familiar. Come to find out that it is owned by JC Boisset and, well, I am not sure how that impacts my opinion. Decent fruit, ample acidity, and well, that's about it. Look, it's fine. really. But do you want to fork over $20 for "fine" when there are other options in the same price range (or less) that actually move the needle?
Saturday Walk Around Tasting (Gourmet Shop Columbia SC): Have not tried this for almost a year, this may be from another batch, as they don't use a vintage. This taste did not seem as structured as last time. There is a definite sweetness across the palate that does not hurt anything, but might mask some of those awesome red fruit flavors we see in the color and the nose. Lots of super fresh and bright red raspberry, and strawberry flavors. Small little aggressive bubbles. Nicely balanced acid against the sweetness that identifies itself again on the finish. Still a very nice effort for a method traditional sparkling. I suspect tasting this today my palate had already been infected with a few tastes of red wine that tainted my ability to perceive the delicacies of this very well respected sparkler.
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Rose Fest 2011 The Gourmet Shop, Columbia, SC: I've never tasted a sparkling rose with this flavor profile. There is a toasted, candied sweetness not unlike caramel on the lips that dissipates almost immediately on hitting the palate. There is red raspberry, but also some peaches, and even a touch of apricot. The color is quite orange. The acid is best described as medium. The finish is dry. Nice wine, need to try some more.
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2/19/2024 - The Drunken Cyclist Likes this wine:
Retail $20. Gamay, Cinsault, Cabernet Sauvignon. I had bought two bottles of this wine and since the in-laws were over (again) I decided there was no time like the present to serve them this "champagne" (it is from France, at least, so it was not a complete fib). No need to go on any further as my last note pretty much nailed it. 87 Points.
www.thedrunkencyclist.com
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2/16/2024 - The Drunken Cyclist Likes this wine: 87 Points
Retail $20. Gamay, Cinsault, Cabernet Sauvignon. I drink a ton of sparkling wine. A ton. But I have always shied away from Charles de Fère. Why? Well, it is ubiquitous, does not have an appellation (it is simply a "Vin Mousseux de Qualité" from France), and goes for more than other options with which I am more familiar. Come to find out that it is owned by JC Boisset and, well, I am not sure how that impacts my opinion. Decent fruit, ample acidity, and well, that's about it. Look, it's fine. really. But do you want to fork over $20 for "fine" when there are other options in the same price range (or less) that actually move the needle?
www.thedrunkencyclist.com
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6/10/2022 - empire80 Likes this wine: 88 Points
Decent value fizz. Strawberry fruit, perhaps could be a tad drier.
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2/18/2012 - Mike Kopanski wrote: 86 Points
Saturday Walk Around Tasting (Gourmet Shop Columbia SC): Have not tried this for almost a year, this may be from another batch, as they don't use a vintage. This taste did not seem as structured as last time. There is a definite sweetness across the palate that does not hurt anything, but might mask some of those awesome red fruit flavors we see in the color and the nose. Lots of super fresh and bright red raspberry, and strawberry flavors. Small little aggressive bubbles. Nicely balanced acid against the sweetness that identifies itself again on the finish. Still a very nice effort for a method traditional sparkling. I suspect tasting this today my palate had already been infected with a few tastes of red wine that tainted my ability to perceive the delicacies of this very well respected sparkler.
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4/30/2011 - Mike Kopanski wrote: 89 Points
Rose Fest 2011 The Gourmet Shop, Columbia, SC: I've never tasted a sparkling rose with this flavor profile. There is a toasted, candied sweetness not unlike caramel on the lips that dissipates almost immediately on hitting the palate. There is red raspberry, but also some peaches, and even a touch of apricot. The color is quite orange. The acid is best described as medium. The finish is dry. Nice wine, need to try some more.
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