Sunday, August 3, 2008

Lenz Cuvee 2001 Sparkling Wine


At a recent visit to the Lenz Winery in Peconic on the North fork of Long Island, winemaker Eric Fry first had us sample the 2005 Gewurztraminer to contrast with this Cuvee. He said the Cuvee would be the only wine with the ability to wash away the long finish of the Gewurztraminer, and he was right.

White wine from red grapes... done in the Methode Champenoise style, this Cuvee made from Pinot Noir grapes has incredible acidity with green apples, raisin, honey, caramel and sour cherry. Dry, super crisp and fresh with some minerality it starts off as lean acidic wine and extracts its flavors from yeast during its 5 years in cellar where it develops its delicate creaminess, and caramel qualities. Retails for $30.

He then took us to the cellar, held a bottle of the 07 up to the light and gently shook it so we could see the sediments swirl. Sediments settle in cap neck then are frozen and disgorged.

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