Samantha's Spring Sparkling Wine 4-Pack Sampler $75.99

Our sparkling wines selection continues to thrive and grow. So we were super elated to sit with one of our sales reps early in February, one with a bag full of super cool, small producer sparkling wines from Spain and Portugal. I ran through the wine and had so much fun I called the rest of the staff over to try them too. The thing was, that after lifting each wine to my lips, delighted in their uniqueness, and then looking at the prices, I was already cooking up a plan in my bubble obsessed brain.

“So, what do you guys think of me offering another one of my little 4 pack samplers, with some of these sparkling wines? Like a Spring 4 pack of fun, education and BUBBLES!” After running through the lineup of playful sparklers, also peeping prices and the whole team was all about it. Yes! Don’t you just love it when a plan works out, in your favor of course?

So, bubble lovers and natural wine lovers, as many most of these wines are organic, biodynamic or sustainably farmed,  I am delighted to offer our first ever Spring Sparkling Wine Sampler Pack. Let’s get to popping!

Includes one bottle of each of these sparkling wines, and a 1.76 ounce bag of Torres Mediterranean Herbs potato chips, perfect for snacking on while sampling bubbles!  

2018 Quinta Das Bageiras Bruto Natural Vinho Espumante, Portugal $16.99

Pretty sure this was the first Portuguese sparkling wine I had ever seen but after tasting it, I am on the hunt for more. Made from local grapes, Maria Gomez, Bical and Baga, (those regular varieties, right?) all sustainably farmed, in an effort to highlight the soils they are from. Now be ready because this is quite dry, even a little tart which seems to give the wine extra character. Right upfront you get a feisty and untamed nature and I think is pretty cool. That is followed up by a rush of dried fruit and nuts and the finish is bright with citrus and an almost salty note. I love sipping things like this but serving them food help frame the fruit and softens the little snap. Think grilled seafood, always chips and cheeses, even popcorn as partners for this wine.

N.V. Castell d’Age, Cava Brut Nature Anne Marie Reserva, Spain $19.99

There have been three generations of women at the helm of this exciting Cava producer, all were always focused and farming the cleanest and healthiest vines, so they are organic and biodynamic. Their commitment to the land has given them fruit that is a pure joy to drink. Made from the traditional Xarel-lo, Macabeu, Parellada but there is something just a little extra and generous in this Cava. Very elegant aromas of fresh flowers and summer saturated peaches. In the mouth you get more stone fruit and just a faint note of river stones. Really nice little balancing tartness on the finish to have you reaching for another sip.

N.V. Mestres Cava Brut Reserva 1312, Spain $19.99

1312 is the year the Mastres family was first documented as farmers and merchants and vineyard owners, so to say they have a rich history in Catalonia is a massive understatement. Their first bottle of Cava was produced in 1928 and they became known for making Cava that would age beautifully. Right upfront I got a flash of holiday bread in the nose, like warm spice, nuts and orange peel with a soft eggy bread. The palate offers plenty of fruit but then gives way to more biscuit and nuttiness. So friendly and the finish is perfectly creamy. Still quite dry despite the full fruit and creamy notes, so be sure to have some salty nibbles to enjoy with it.

2014 Aphros Vinho Verde Pan Sparkling Rose, Portugal $22.99

This winery is relatively young by European standards as it was founded in 2002. They have become much more well known for their PetNat and while this is an organic and biodynamic wine it is produced in a traditional style and it is quite generous with giving, racy fruit. Made from local variety Vinhao the nose gave me lots of rhubarb and citrus. I wrote in my notes that it would be gorgeous with a grilled seafood and herby butter. I think it was the exuberance and freshness of the fruit that made me crave grilled sea creatures and butter sauce. Easy, totally unique and wicked fun to drink.