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The Gruet Brut Sparkling Wine NV is a wine I found in Chicago selling for on sale for $11.99, it typically sells for closer to $18 but should be well-priced for the coming Holidays.
Gruet Winery is located in New Mexico—Gilbert Gruet established Gruet et Fils in Bethon in Champagne, France in 1967. Before that, he had vineyards that sold grapes to the Champagne Houses. In the 1980s he started exploring the United States for a location to start a winery. He bought land in New Mexico, started planting grape vines in 1984, and started producing wine in 1989, 2024 is Gruet’s 35th anniversary.
The grapes are no longer exclusively grown in New Mexico, in 2014 Gruet was purchased by Precept Wine and Spirits (the largest independent wine business in the Northwest). The demand for Gruet Bubbly outstripped the ability of the New Mexico vineyards to meet demand.
While the Sparkling wines are produced in New Mexico some of the grapes are farmed in Columbia Valley, Washington, and California.
The Gruet Brut Sparkling Wine NV is a representation of the House Style all the other non-vintage wines are based on this one.
This is a Non-Vintage Bubbly which is common in Sparkling wine. The winery wants to deliver the same drinking experience year in and year out. The grape blend is 80% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Noir.
The second fermentation lasted 18 months (this is where the bubbles are made), which is the standard for Champagne Bubbly. The alcohol content is 12%.
A member of the Gruet family has been the winemaker until 2024 when one of the team members took over the head winemaker position.
The Gruet Brut Sparkling Wine NV Tasting Notes
The color is pale gold, with fine bubbles. The nose is bright, grapefruit, apple, lemon, pear, with a little brioche bread. The Gruet Brut Sparkling Wine NV is crisp and zesty with bright acidity and pleasing flavor.
This Bubbly tastes like a stew of lemon, apple, peach, and a hint of lime. The mid-palate adds a little stone fruit, a hint of cream, a little yeasty bread, and dried pineapple.
The acidity is very well controlled, giving this Bubbly structure and length.
This Bubbly has received 90 points from leading wine critics and several Best Buy awards.
The Summary
- The Gruet Brut Sparkling Wine NV is excellent.
- You do not have to spend a large amount of money to get a tasty satisfying Bubbly.
- On New Year’s Eve, you can spend $70 on Champagne or you can buy several bottles of Gruet. I know what I would do!
