Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs with Osetra Caviar from Lady Elena Caviar

This 2012 Schramsberg is a Blanc de Blancs meaning that it is made from 100% Chardonnay. This sparkler is made in the Methode Traditionelle in Calistoga, California.

The Chardonnay grapes are sourced from the North Coast Appellation coming from specifically 63% Napa, 30% Sonoma, 4% Mendocino, and 3% Marin. The wine is mostly (79%) fermented in stainless steel with 21% being fermented in barrels.

This sparkling wine has a pale straw color with tiny streaming bubbles forming a fine mousse in the glass.
There are enticing aromas of nutty citrus, bitter grapefruit with some creamy sweet brioche. On the palate the citrus stands out with lemon and grapefruit flavors being served on toasted bread with creamy butter. This nicely follows through in the finish.

Lady Elena Caviar Pairing 

O My Setra Caviar (Osetra): The nutty creaminess of the Osetra Caviar is complementing the nuttiness in the Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs sparkling wine and leaves you with a clean finish. A great Lady Elena Caviar pairing.

Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs and Osetra Caviar

2004 Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs Paired with Osetra Caviar

Background

The champagne is 100% of the Chardonnay grape. The grapes grown in the top vineyards of the
Côte des Blancs. Only the first press juice is used.  5% of the blend spends three to four months in new oak barrels, enhancing complexity of the final blend. Prior to disgorgement, the Blanc de Blancs is aged for 10 years on the lees in 13th-century chalk cellars that were once the property of Saint Nicaise abbey.

The champagne has a pale gold color with greenish tints along with its tiny streaming bubbles. There are aromas of lemon curd,fresh toasted biscuits, red apples with a smoky stony minerality. On the palate it is tense with creamy softness. There is some sweet citrus combined with some salty minerality lingering on the palate. The finish is dry an slightly mouth watering. This champagne is still very youthful.

Lady Elena Caviar Pairing 

O My Setra Caviar (Osetra): This pairing brings out the nuttiness of the caviar and then the palate is left cleansed.
A great pairing.