August 26, 2016

WISTON ESTATE Blanc de Blancs 2010

(South Downs, United Kingdom) $59.99

Britain’s sparkling wine vineyards sit in the same limestone soils, in the same geological strata, from the same era, as do the vineyards of Champagne. No surprise then, that the best UK sparklers are immaculate wines of finesse and precision. The utterly delicious Wiston Estate 2010 Blanc de Blancs has a wonderful “starched” crispness, and aromas reminiscent of seashells and lemon meringue. It’s delicate and pure. It feels like one is drinking snowflakes.

93 points

Available at Union Square Wines

Germany and Austria share a similar lexicon in terms of how their wines are categorized. Which of the following terms is unique to Austria?

A. Eiswein

B. Kabinett

C. Auslese

D. Ausbruch

Ausbruche (the plural of Ausbruch) are high quality Austrian sweet wines that are slightly more opulent than Beerenauslesen. An Ausbruch (OWSH-brook) wine must be made from overripe, naturally shriveled grapes that may be affected by the noble rot botrytis cinerea. Ausbruche are a specialty of the eastern Austrian region of Burgenland.

Lagar

A shallow stone or cement trough in which grapes are trodden by foot (usually for several hours) in order to crush them and mix the skins with the juice. Treading grapes by foot, an ancient… Continue reading

WISTON ESTATE Blanc de Blancs 2010

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