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The Trader Joe’s Reserve Sonoma County Blanc de Blancs 2021 is a $9.99 Trader Joe’s exclusive. This wine is not to be confused with the Trader Joe’s Grand Reserve and Platinum Reserve Sonoma and North Coast Sparkling wines from the last two years.
Blanc de Blancs translates to white from white meaning a Champagne or Champagne-style Bubbly made from Chardonnay.
This is a vintage-dated wine (2021) which is rare selling for $9.99, in Champagne vintage wines tend to start at $60 plus. Vintage Bubbly is usually produced in outstanding vintages as a way to document the vintage. In this case, it may simply be a one-off brand wine and there was no need to create several vintages to blend.
The Trader Joe’s Reserve Sonoma County Blanc de Blancs 2021 was vinted and bottled by Cellar Cru Wines of Healdsburg, California. Traditional Method Sparkling wines are bottled before the second fermentation. Who they are bottled by is who produced them.
Healdsburg is the home of Rack and Riddle a large very successful Sparkling wine producer. They make Bubbly for just about any label that does not have their own Sparkling wine equipment.
Cellar Cru may be an entity of Rack and Riddle or a company set up by Trader Joe’s. There is a company making Cellar Cru Red and White wine, but that is a brand name and not a winery name.
A Bubbly from Champagne, France must have its second fermentation or triage last at least 18 months, more expensive Champagne can have a triage that lasts several years. California does not have rules for Sparkling wine, but as a 2021 vintage an 18-month or more triage is very possible,
Another difference between California Sparkling wine and French Champagne is that this Bubbly has an alcohol content of 13.3% and a rating of no more than 12.5% is more typical of France.
The Trader Joe’s Reserve Sonoma County Blanc de Blancs 2021 Tasting Notes
The color is pale gold, perfect for New Year’s Eve. The nose is both crisp and slightly sweet, there is ripe apple, grapefruit, pear, spice, crusty bread, light herbs, and peach. The Trader Joe’s Reserve Sonoma County Blanc de Blancs 2021 has a medium body, this is not a shyBubbly and also shows surprising elegance.
This Bubbly tastes like a stew of apple, lemon, grapefruit, and melon, with soft spice and Anjou pear. The mid-palate adds brioche, a hint of cream, peach, and dried apricot.
The acidity is very balanced and gives this wine good structure and length.
The Summary
- The Trader Joe’s Reserve Sonoma County Blanc de Blancs 2021 is an excellent, bargain Bubbly.
- Stock up now for the Holidays and keep a couple for that special Tuesday night.
