Aren't the flowers pretty? They were for Ava's recital.
My Wino Wednesday pick for this week is Alan Christopher Brut de Blancs. This French sparkler was supposed to be a Prosecco, but I picked up the wrong bottle. I served it to my mom and a couple of girlfriends and said it was a Prosecco. They were nice enough not to point out the fact that I didn’t even bother to read the label. And the only reason I know it is an Alan Christopher Brut de Blancs is because I took a picture of the bottle and looked at it as I was uploading it for this post. I honestly didn’t know until just now that I wasn’t drinking Prosecco.
Anywhoo… we have this fantastic liquor and fine foods store in Texas called Spec’s. It is my mecca. Seriously, when I go in there, trumpets sound and angels sing. When you first walk through the turnstile at the entrance (supposed to keep the younguns out, I guess) there is typically a wide array of opened boxes stacked around like a yummy wine-filled fort. Every wino’s dream.
This week’s trip to Spec’s was fast and furious as I had to pick up Ava at school right after and get home to make dinner. As I walked through the fortress of wine a pretty bottle caught my eye and so did the $8 price tag. Thinking it was a Prosecco (because it was in a box labeled as such) I snatched it up and darted to the register.
Sorry for the blur - I swear I only had one sip.
When I got home, I threw it in the freezer as I usually do when I really want it cold and soon. After about 45 minutes it was good to go. I popped the top with my signature “towel over the top and three twists” method and poured a few flutes.
It was delicious!
Never mind the cheap price tag, this delicate sparkling wine was the color of pale straw with green highlights, bright, clear, and sparkling. It was dry, just like I like it and medium to light-bodied with fresh acidity. It tasted like spring with a lemony fruit flavor, floral aroma and a long, clean finish. If you like the sweet stuff, this one isn’t for you, but it’s worth a shot considering the price.
Cheers!
P.S.) This evening I googled the Charmat process, which is how this particular bottle of wine got its bubbles. The Great Google informed me that this is the same method used to make Prosecco. I bet this is why it was in a box labeled as such. Right Spec’s wine people? Yeah, that’s what I thought.
The flowers are beautiful. $8 is a great price for good wine.
Jessica recently posted..A Weekend with the Family
Thanks! We go to the wholesale flower markets downtown each year to let Ava pick out her own recital flowers. I love getting them in bulk because we can put them all over the house after the show is over.
If you like Spec’s, you’ll LOVE Twin Liquors. Mostly in the Austin area, but it’s starting to spread … even better deals if you can believe it! Yum to the non-prosecco!
I must check this place out. I haven’t been to Austin in forever, it seems. I need to make a trip soon and I’ll add Twin Liquors to my itinerary when I go.