According to winemag.com a perfect storm of disruptions is set to create a global champagne shortage. Now this may sound like a First World Problem, for those who appreciate their wine in fine bubbly form, it's yet more news of the general state of global affairs to further flatten our fizz. Fear not — for those of us in Northern California wine country or in states where adults are considered grown up enough to accept a regular wine shipment or two, we need look no further than Sonoma and Mendocino Counties for some of the finest sparkling wines in the world.
"After a perfect storm of disruptions, the U.S. is currently in the early stages of a Champagne shortage that is expected to last several years," reports winemag.
"First, the obvious issues. Supply chain issues caused by the coronavirus pandemic have left importers scrambling to anticipate what to order months in advance since delivery to the U.S. can now take twice or even three times as long."
Not surprisingly, the demand for Champagne dropped 18% by volume last year, according to Comité Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne (CIVC), the trade organization for the Champagne region in France. But then, towards the end of the year, people demanded their celebratory drinks back and champagne sales soared. This trend continued throughout 2021 as folk around the world figured if they were staying home to celebrate they might as well stock up on the good stuff of life.
By law, winemag reports: "Champagne must spend a minimum of 15 months on its lees to make a nonvintage bottling, which can blend grapes from multiple years. Vintage Champagnes, which are blended wines from a particular year’s harvest, age for at least two years and often much more.
As demand climbed throughout 2021, the Champagne region experienced unprecedented weather issues. First came scorching heat in March, which burned vines. Then, days of frost that froze them. In June and July, torrential rains created mildew on many of the remaining plants. Several growers lost more than half of their vines."
This years French harvest will be the smallest in decades and its Champagne futures even pricer than before.
Here in Northern California, producers of sparkling wines are enjoying more attention than ever as Americans look increasingly to domestic products in the fine food and wine department.
This is good news for our regional wineries and for the consumer with no shortage of access to the best North Coast bubbles.
Here are some terrific options to order directly from the wineries or look for in your favorite wine aisle:
Let's start with McFadden Cuvee Brut. Made by méthod Champenoise, this striking sparkling is 100% traditional and made with the McFadden family's remote Lake County estate grown, organic grapes (45% Chardonnay and 55% Pinot Noir). It is aged in the bottle for four whole years before it is released which helps to develop the apple and bready yeast notes that make this wine a fantastic sparkling for all occasions.
The McFadden's organically grown fruit won out over Roederer Estate and Scharrfenberger Cellars for the past two years in the coveted Sparkling Wine category of the Mendocino County Fair which is a big deal, as both competitors make terrific bubbly. I was invited to the family's Blue Quail Tasting Room in Hopland this fall and sipped this prize winning sparkling there for the first time. Needless to say, I purchased a few bottles to bring home. Looking in my wine fridge, I notice they've disappeared!
Next up, Petaluma Gap's beloved Keller Estate is thrilled to offer a super Brut Rosé. This wine is made in the traditional “Methode Champenoise” with 87% Pinot Noir and 13% Chardonnay sourced exclusively from the family's La Cruz Vineyard. After a very gentle pressing to achieve a beautiful light pink hue, notes of rose and raspberry abound. The wine saw extended aging on its lees, giving depth to the bright and delicate profile. On the palate, pink grapefruit is followed by a long dry finish with the beautiful minerality that is classic for the Keller Estate terroir.
J Cuvée 20 Brut opens with nuanced aromas of toasted almond, followed by notes of Braeburn apple, dried cranberry and ginger snap. A delicate dance of bubbles leads to a soft palate with flavors of lemon meringue pie, as the wine’s creaminess is whisked away by a lively finish. Pair this versatile sparkler with Dungeness crab cake or lobster roll, fresh popped white cheddar popcorn or goat cheese rolled with herbes d’provence. Who doesn't love a J wine? My dear friends Gail and Michael are known (and appreciated all the more) for their signature J Sparkling contributions to all shared festive occasions and I reach for this brand often to take to local parties.
Roederer Estate Brut is crisp and elegant with complex pear, spice and hazelnut flavors. It is fresh and lightly fruity with great finesse and depth of flavor. I've long since been a fan and thoroughly enjoy a pour of any of the Roederer sparklers.
A well-rounded, supple texture surrounds attractive toast and nut flavors in this suave and mouthfilling Scharffenberger Sparkling wine. Notes of biscuit, peach and toasted bread give it a nice sense of maturity and complexity. Delicious and delightful and super well priced.
The Sonoma Brut Gloria Ferrer sparkling wine from neighboring Carneros is dominated by Pinot Noir, a stylistic decision enabling the complex aromatic and palate profile that this red-skinned grape contributes to brut cuvées. It is viticultural diversity that allows winemakers to consistently produce sparkling cuvées with complexity and clear fruit expression.
Rose wines are often believed to be made only from Pinot Noir, but many of the best, including Domaine Carneros by Tattinger,
have chardonnay added for structure. In creating their popular California Brut Rose they work to create a balanced sparkling wine that emphasizes fruity and floral characteristics to a greater extent than in their Brut or Le Reve.
There are many more sparkling wines being made in regional wineries. Check out some additional producers here.
"Too much of anything is bad, but too much Champagne (Sparkling Wine) is just right."
- Mark Twain
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