The Gruet Blanc de Noirs is an American Sparkling wine I found selling for about $16. The reason it is an American wine is the grapes are sourced from Washington, California and New Mexico.
The Story
Gilbert Gruet who owned a winery in Champagne, France started a Sparkling wine winery in New Mexico in 1984. He made Champagne-style sparkling wine from grapes grown near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico.
His New Mexico Bubbly was excellent and was almost an immediate hit. Fans and critics alike praised his Sparkling wine.
With success comes problems and the demand for Gruet Bubbly started to exceed what the New Mexico vineyards could provide.
Gilbert passed in 1999 and in the same year Gruet sold 1,000,000 bottles of Bubbly.
Precept Wines the largest independent wine group in the Northwest purchased Gruet and expanded the vineyard selection to include the West Coast. The Gruet Family continued to operate the winery, but it looks as if a new management group has been installed.
The New Mexico facility continues to produce and bottle the wine.
The blend for the Gruet Blanc de Noirs is 82% Pinot and 18% Chardonnay. The second fermentation or triage lasts 21 months, which is longer than the minimum standard in Champagne, France.
Triage is where the still wine is bottled and a measured amount of yeast and sugar are added to each bottle, a temporary top is fixed and the bottle is turned a quarter turn every few days.
The longer the triage the creamier the Bubbly and the bubbles are better incorporated into the wine.
Blanc de Noirs translates to white from black, the black is Pinot Noir grapes.
The alcohol content is 12%.
The Gruet Blanc de Noirs Tasting Notes
The color is gold with a hint of amber. The nose is melon, honey, sour cherry, brioche, and a musty aroma. The Gruet Blanc de Noirs is crisp and flavorful.
The Blanc de Noirs tastes like cherry red hard candy (not sweet), peach, pear, brioche, grapefruit, and sour cranberry, the flavors are soft and muted.
The acidity is well-controlled and allows the flavors to fully unfold.
The Summary
- The Gruet Blanc de Noirs is a well-made, tasty Bubbly.
- It is a good value substitute for actual Champagne.
