The holidays are upon us! And who doesn’t love a glass of bubbly (or twelve) this time of year? Personally, through January I subsist on the champagne diet because let’s face it: just popping a bottle of bubbles is reason enough to celebrate something. Anything! Not all sparkling wine is created equal. But just like pizza, even the most humble bubbly is better than no bubbly at all. How fortunate for all of us that some of the loveliest sparkling wines come out of California? Meet the new effervescent kid on the bubbly block: a brand new sparkler from the good folks at Meiomi Wines.
Chances are, if you are a wine drinker, you will recognize that name. Meiomi has been featured on wine lists about town for a while now. Its eminently drinkable, well-priced Pinot Noir has been my go-to glass pour for years. The Chardonnay, while not as widely distributed around here, is also quite excellent. Both of these wines would make a fine accompaniment to the upcoming holiday dinners. And while these varietals may be the Meiomi work horses, the winery deepened its connection to coastal California Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with the release of a Méthode Champenoise Sparkling Wine in September of 2018.
A first sparkling wine in Meiomi portfolio, this North Coast sparkling wine is made with the traditional French sparkling winemaking process, méthode champenoise. Similarly, in a classic Champagne fashion, it is a blend of 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir. “We are excited to introduce this very special wine,” says Melissa Stackhouse, Director of Winemaking for Meiomi. “Sparkling wines benefit from cool-climate coastal grape varieties like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, making sparkling a natural fit for Meiomi given our coastal approach to winemaking. With the Meiomi Sparkling Wine, we bring together the best expressions of coastal California for a wine that is full of character and exceptional balance. I am particularly excited to bring the Meiomi experience to the sparkling category for the first time and once again take on the challenge of crafting sparkling wine in the méthode champenoise.”
On the nose, the wine features aromas of green apple laced with hints of peach nectar. On the palate, the flavors of crunchy pear, zesty citrus, and honey layered over a slight yeastiness and fresh minerality. The wine is a light straw color with a whisper of pink – paying tribute to Meiomi’s origins as a Pinot Noir house. Enjoy a glass on it’s own or paired with fresh oysters and mignonette sauce, warm brie, a mixed berry tart, or freshly-popped popcorn.
Meiomi (pronounced may- OH – mee) wines take their name from the word for “coast” in the language of the native Wappo American Indian tribe – a word that best symbolizes the character of the sought-after coastal California vineyards, which lend their fruit to Meiomi’s distinctive wines.
Meiomi Sparkling Wine is available nationwide at a suggested retail price of $26.99. With 51,000 cases produced annually, Meiomi will be keeping us in bubbles for a while. Find a retailer nearest you here under the FIND tab.
The holidays are here… It is time for happiness, family, cheer and bubbly! And with the new Meiomi bottle in hand you can bring a little sparkle wherever you go. Happy holidays from us to yours!
The Local Tourist invitation for two to the Chicago Meiomi sparkling wine launch party courtesy of LaForce.
Photos by Gourmet Rambler.
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