Born this way Bubbles

Tonight the theme at the Olsen house in Corona del Mar was inspired by Gaga...as are most nights of my life. 

Inspiration...PS Go Gauchos!!!

Here at the Olsen house we believe in equality, acceptance, tolerance and compassion. As we discussed the admirable mottos of Gaga (I was born this way) and Beyonce (who rules the world, girls) we sipped what I thought to be a very appropriate sparkler.  It was the Iron Horse special edition 2005 Ocean Reserve. On the bottle it says, "I am Giving I am Sparkling I am Limited I am the Ocean." If I could add a line to this label I would add, "and I was Born this Way." I know the idea behind this wine is to try to raise money to help protect the ocean but if you read the label closely it is very reminiscent of Gaga...and myself (haha), I like to think that I am sparkling and giving and limited (as in limited edition (no you may not argue any of these points)).

That was my rant...now on to the wine:

Iron Horse Ocean Reserve 2005

100% Chardonnay
35% barrel fermented
Harvested September 2005
Bottled June 2006
1000 cases
Suggested retail $40

Tasting notes: Extreme bubbles...gives you the sensation that the wine is just floating over your tongue. Crisp, nice acidity with hints of green apple, starfruit and asian pear with a nice soft yeasty finish. I recommend pairing this wine with all the little sea creatures we were able to save with the funds earned from buying/drinking this wine.

Untile next time...keep on sparkling.

Because Wednesday nights like bubbles too...

There are many great things about Hermosa Beach (frat boys, bums and copious amounts of drinking...actually only one of these things is great) but I have to say one of my absolute favorite things about Hermosa is the amount of restaurants that have no corkage fee or a very cheap one. The other night Steph and I discovered that Zane's has free corkage for up to 3 bottles! I must say, we can do a little damage after 3 bottles. So, with the knowledge we gained out on the town last week Steph, Maggie, Katya and I decided to return to Zane's. As we arrived empty handed in Hermosa it occurred to me that my other favorite thing about Hermosa is that there is a more than sufficient amount of wine/liqour stores. Although the store we would have liked to go to was closed...low and behold the liqour store on the opposite corner was not. We popped in and decided to make it a sparkling night (duh) and, although we were far more glamorous than the wine, these two sparklings served their purpose for a Wednesday night...besides what do you really expect from an overpriced liquor store on a random corner in Hermosa.

Since you can never go wrong with a bottle of Chandon we decided to pop this one first. Always a favorite, the Brut Classic from Chandon lingers on the edge of brut. It's a sparkling that is decidedly dry but soft and crisp with notes of apple, pear, a bit of citrus and a hint of caramel which can be reminiscent of a slightly off dry bubbly. This wine is made in the traditional method or method champenoise from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. I have to say it paired perfectly with my ahi tartar and for about $15 this wine was a good Wednesday night, dinner with the girls kind of wine. 

The second bottle we opened was an Italian sparkler (but not Prosecco) that was a good easy drinkin' second wine. Rotari NV Brut Rose from Trento in northern Italy (non vintage, so they blend multiple vintages to keep the wine uniform over the years...much sparkling is non vintage). Nothing to write home about but definitely drinkable. It was a light pinky, salmony color and had notes of grapefruit, red berries a hint of fresh baked bread and nice acidity, also made in the traditional method (which is interesting because much Italian sparkling...Prosecco...is made using the Charmat method). Overall a decent choice for about $10. 

Ok fine, so we may have ordered one more bottle off the menu. 

It was Mionetto Prosecco Brut from Veneto, Italy. I'm going to be honest, at this point my palate may not have been what it was 2 bottles ago but this wine was crisp and refreshing. The winemaker says "...intense fruity bouquet with hint of golden apples..." very descriptive, I know. They also go on to say that it can be a good base for Bellinis or sparkling wine cocktails...which serves a very important purpose in life but I usually prefer sparklers that should not be tainted by anything. As many of you know I have been known to order a mimosa sans orange juice on more than multiple occasions. 

So the night went on and we caused some trouble and broke some hearts...standard. 

Until next time...keep on sparkling.

Piper Inspired Bubbles

If new puppies don't warrant a ridiculously good bottle of sparkling wine I don't know what does. Here is the situation...I have a Goddaughter...Piper. It took a few years but the day has finally arrived and I couldn't be happier (I guess Jen and Matt are pretty happy too).


The Wine:
J. Schram 2003
Delicate bubbles with hints of brioche, pear, orange, nice acidity, I could go on but you get the point...it's delicious and very California
85% Chardonnay 15% Pinot Noir
Bottled in 2004, disgorged in 2009
Suggested retail $100


Unitl next time...keep on sparkling.

Champagne: Not just a beverage but a lifestyle.

I think it is a terrible thing that many good champagne drinking days are wasted each year because people are under the false belief that this precious beverage should only be consumed on holidays. Shame. I honestly believe that Champagne is not only a beverage but a way of life. When people see me, flute (not the instrument, duh) in hand, they often ask what the occasion is...the usual response is something to the effect of..."it's Tuesday" or "I'm thirsty". I don't see why sparkling wine wouldn't be an appropriate choice of beverage for a Tuesday...or breakfast (lunch or dinner). In fact, in recent years, I have devoted many good drinking days to discovering the joys (and appropriateness) of all kinds of different sparkling wines. Although this blog is titled Champagne State of Mind it could just as easily be called Sparkling State of Mind. When it comes to wine I am certainly not one to discriminate (when it comes to most things I'm usually not one to discriminate) so I will declare all sparklers equal until tasted and decided upon otherwise.  So keep posted as I navigate the wonderful world of all things bubbly. Until then...keep sparkling.