In last week's blog, I wrote about the differences between Champagne and other sparkling wines. Since then, we've been trying other sparkling wines from Europe and the U.S. Here are our finds.

N.V. Domaine Ste Michelle Brut Sparkling Rosé, Columbia Valley ($11.99 - Safeway) - This sparkler sports a light copper-pink color, frothy bubbles and attractive aromas of strawberry, pink cherry, blood orange, cherry and orange blossoms and pink lilac. The flavors are fresh and vibrant, mouth-filling, with red fruits that are accented by cherry stones, orange peel and minerals. The back enlivens with red fruit liqueurs, orange peel and CO2 on the way to a tangy nicely fruited finish. At $11.99, this is a steal. 18+/20 points.

2017 Argyle Vintage Sparkling Wine, Willamette Valley ($24.99 - Safeway) - This vintage is comprised of 55% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir and 15% Pinot Meunier. It displays an iridescent gold color, pinpoint bubbles and aromas of pear, peach, citrus, pear tree blossoms, white lilac, orange peel and white incense. The flavors are fresh and vibrant ("disgorged on demand") with white and yellow fruits that are accented by grape and pear skins and minerals. The back picks up poire and pêche liqueurs and touches of lees and brioche, followed by a CO2 enlivened Brut finish. 18.5/20 points.

N.V. Chandon, Blanc de Pinot Noir Brut Sparkling Wine, California ($18.99 - Safeway) - This copper-tinged gold colored wine offers streaming bubbles and attractive aromas of strawberry, pink chewy, grapefruit, pink roses, cherry blossoms and wildflowers. The flavors are brisk yet well textured, with notes of grape skins, cherry stones and minerals. The slightly leesy textured back picks up touches of toasted nuts, brioche and creme fraiche, followed by a true Brut finish. 18.5/20 points.

N.V. Chandon Brut Rosé Sparkling Wine, California ($18.99 - Safeway) - A blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, this shows a brilliant copper-pink color, streaming bubbles and fragrant aromas of strawberry, cherry, blood orange, cherry and orange blossoms and whiffs of orange incense. The flavors are bright and vibrant, comprised of red and orange fruits that are accented by grape skins, cherry stones and minerals. The vibrancy continues on the back with fraise and kirsch liqueurs and orange peel, followed by a nicely fruited Brut finish. 18.5/20 points.

2020 La Marca Prosecco Rosé ($13.99 - Safeway) - La Marca is the best selling Italian Prosecco in the U.S., but is surprisingly good for a commercial brand. This vintage (check the date on the back) offers a copper-pink color, frothy bubbles and fresh aromas of strawberry pink cherry and orange peel. The flavors are brisk, enlivened by CO2 and accented by grape skins and cherry stones, followed on the back by strawberry liqueur and recurring orange peel on the crisp low alcohol (11%) finish. A Lynn favorite. 18+/20 points.

2020 Jeio "Bisol 1542"  Prosecco Brut Rosé ($18 - The Thief, Walla Walla) - Light copper colored, this possesses streaming bubbles and attractive aromas of strawberry, pink peach, Mandarin orange, pink roses, orange blossoms and whiffs of orange incense. The flavors are nicely fruited, with notes of grape skins, peach stones and minerals. The appeal continues on the back with strawberry and peach liqueurs and recurring orange peel, enliven by CO2 on the crisp, juicy low alcohol (11%) finish. 18+/20 points.

N.V. Loosen Bros "Dr. L" Sparkling Riesling ($19 - The Thief) - This German Sekt shows a brilliant lemon-gold color, streaming bubbles and fragrant aromas of pear, peach, grapefruit, pear blossoms, honeysuckle, clover and white incense. The flavors are bright and crisp, with white and yellow fruits that are accented by grape and, pear skins, CO2 and steely minerals. On the back, the wine enlivens further with pear and peach liqueurs and grapefruit peel, followed by a dry, persistently minerally finish. "This is delicious - has character," says Lynn. 18.5/20 points. 

N.V. Pierre Sparr Crémant d'Alsace, Brut Réserve ($19 - The Thief) - Brilliant gold colored, this emits streaming bubbles and enticing aromas of apple, pear, peach, citrus, apple blossoms, white lilac and wet stone. The flavors are bright and resonant, with notes of pear skins, peach stones and minerals. On the back, the wine enlivens further burgh poire and pêche liqueurs and touches of lemon custard and toast, followed by a lively Brut finish. "So delicious," says Lynn. 18.5/20 points.

N.V. Louis Boulliot Crémant de Bourgogne Brut Rosé, "Perle d'Aurore" ($23.99 - Safeway) - This is Pinot Noir with a bit of Gamay. It shows a brilliant copper-pink color, streaming bubbles, enticing aromas of fraises de bois, red currant, blood orange, rose petals, orange blossoms and whiffs of orange incense. The flavors are nicely balanced, with pink fruits that are enlivened by grape skins and CO2. The back picks up fraise and cassis liqueurs and orange peel, followed by a true Brut finish. "So festively pretty," says Lynn. 18.5/20 points.

N.V. Laherte Frères Champagne Extra Brut ($52 - The Thief) - Here, Extra Brut means 4.5 g/L dosage instead of 6) Composed of 60% Pinot Meunier, 30% Chardonnay and 10% Pinot Noir, it displays a light copper color, a frothy mousse and lovely aromas of Anjou pear, pink peach, blood orange, pear and orange tree blossoms and orange incense. The flavors, as well, are dramatic, with yellow and white fruits that are infused with grape and pear skins, peach stones and chalky minerals. The vibrancy continues on the back with poire and pêche liqueurs, recurring orange peel, lees and brioche, all counterpointed by CO2 on the dry, steely finish. 19/20 points.

New French Wines

Here are three Burgundies we've run across recently.

2021 Joseph Drouhin Beaujolais Nouveau ($19.90 - Foodscape, Walla Walla) - Made in carbonic maceration "nouveau" style, this displays a crimson color and ripe, young aromas of strawberry, red red currant, pomegranate, red roses, purple lilac and whiffs of ground spices. The flavors are deliciously young and fresh, with copious red fruits that are accented by grape skins, pomegranate seeds and a bit of earth. The vibrancy continues on the back with fraise and cassis liqueurs and a bit of toasted nuts on the juicy finish. 18/20 points. 

2020 Louis Jadot Beaujolais Village ($13.99 - Safeway) - This is an attractive new vintage. It offers a deep crimson color and engaging aromas of strawberry, cherry, red currant, rosebuds, purple lilac and whiffs of ground spices. The medium bodied flavors are bright and fresh, with red fruits that are intermixed with red licorice, cola and earth. The back picks up fraise and creme de cassis liqueurs in the way to a supple soft tannin finish. A tasty quaffable Beaujolais. 18/20 points.

2018 Justin Girardin Santenay Blanc, "Les Terrasses de Bievaux" ($32.99 - Esquin) - Santenay is situated at the southern end of the Côte d'Or. This Chardonnay presents a brilliant gold color and lovely aromas of Bosc pea, white peach, citrus, pear blossoms, acacia flowers and a hint of butternut. The flavors are vivid and true to variety, wish crisp yet viscous with white fruits that are imbued with grape skins, peach stones and granitic minerals. The resonance continues on the back with poire and pêche liqueurs and recurring butternut, followed by a lingering, finely fruited finish. 18.5+/20 points.