NV Nigl Brut de Brut Sekt

Kremstal, Austria

"Okay Fellow Bubble-Heads, if you’ve been in this club since 2017, you may remember this wine – or at least a previous version of it. That wine, if you recall, as this current cuvee, is a blend of 70% Chard and 30% Gruner. THIS wine is equally as delicious. Now, I want you to take a moment and clear your mind before you pop the cork on this wine. Texturally, this sparkler is similar to what we typically enjoy – tiny bubbles, clean, fairly focused and crisp. What is different here is the flavor profile. It’s not really toasty or yeasty like the Champagnes we enjoy. Given that this wine is made with a fairly high percentage of Gruner Veltliner and that it does not go through malolactic fermentation (which converts sharper malic acid – think tart green apples and how they get the salivary glands going – into softer lactic acid – think milk, very subtle) it showcases a more direct, appley flavor. The wine also has a hint of sweet apple notes on the finish – just a hint. So, what does all this mean, Mike? Well, it means that this ain’t your momma’s champagne. It means that, though the wine has very low amount of residual sugar, it might be perceived as “sweet.” It means you may want to enjoy this bottle of bubbles with food, particularly fried food or Asian cuisine. I tasted this wine again recently and really liked it. My immediate thought was that it really showcases the broad range of styles that exist in the world of sparkling wines. I realize that this is one of those wines that pushes the boundaries of what we’re used to – but as fans of sparkling wine, I think that we should be aware of this style. “Sekt” (sparkling wines from Germany and Austria) are amazing and delicious versions of bubbly that you should have in your repertoire. So, get ready, pop the cork, and let me know what you think…" -Mike Guerra, Enoteca Direct

Blend: 70% Grüner Veltliner and 30% Chardonnay, mostly from the 2014 vintage
Vineyard: Multiple Vineyards in Kremstal
Elevage: 100% Stainless Steel
Malo: No malolactic fermentation

Medium yellow-green with a lively mousse. The nose displays ripe apple fruit with subtle nutty nuances, a touch of sponge cake, orange zest and a hint of garden herbs. Concentrated and refreshing, with persistent, medium-bodied apple and lemon flavors offering a fine-grained texture. The slightly sweet fruit on the finish features lovely aromatic persistence. Delicious already but should drink well over the next couple of years.